O'Neil Nebraska

[Delmonico]

In the 19th Century most Irish either settled in the big cities back east or joined the army.  But Nebraska has a town settled in 1870's, mostly by Irish, O'Neil Nebraska, the Irish Capital of Nebraska.

The town was founded by John O'Neil, a former Civil War officer for the Union army and an Irishman who came to this country in 1848.  General John O'Neil would have been just a footnote in history as a US Army Officer, but he was involved in the Fenian movement and he and other Fenians invaded Canada in June of 1866, the intent was to hold Canada hostage in return for Ireland's freedom.

The invasion did not work and O'Neil was arrested by US Marshalls upon his return and spent several years in prison.

He started the Colony out in the north central part of Nebraska with the intent of trying to invade Canada again, through the Dakota Territory.  The movement lost it's force in 1878 upon the death of O'Neil.  The town was named O'Neil in 1880 upon incorperation in his honor.

There were incidents of gun running into the middle 1880's, a large store of arms was confiscated in Lincoln in the early 1880's, several of these are now owned by The Nebraska State Historical Society including a rare Meachum conversion of the 1863 Springfield in 58 Rimfire.  This gun is on display in "The Becoming a State" exibit on the second floor of the NBSHS museum at 15th and Q street here in Lincoln.

[Standpat Steve]

Howdy Del,

I never heard of the Fenian Movement, but I love the idea of holding Canada hostage! Perhaps we could try it now-but only go for Quebec?

[Lone Gunman]

Standpat Steve,
Perhaps you've seen the movie "Ruthless People"    (Danny DeVito; Bette Midler)   I don't think Quebec is the ideal hostage, who would pay the ransom        A  hostage has to be someone/something that someone wants back 

[Standpat Steve]

Lone Gunman,

Quite right, I stand corrected-kind of a "Ransom of Red Chief" sort of thing. I was secretly hoping France could be duped into taking them all back home

[Dr. Bob]

Standpat Steve,

The French have enough trouble right now with rioting in the streets to want to take in a buch of Canadians who think that they are better than the rest of the citizens of Canada. 

Besides. I wouldn't want to have to finght them because I have many friends up there!  And Rattlesnake Jack Robson is one big dude!

[Doc Cuervo]

Delmonico:
Thanks a bunch for that info. I grew up about 75 miles south east of O Neil, the product of a mother that was from a pretty rowdy clan of Irishmen. Oddly enough, they had relatives and a lot of connections with Canada. I would be curious to know some of the names involved itn the Finian Movment. Of course myself being a vetran of many of the St. Patricks day celebrations in O Neil.

[Delmonico]

Delmonico:
Thanks a bunch for that info. I grew up about 75 miles south east of O Neil, the product of a mother that was from a pretty rowdy clan of Irishmen. Oddly enough, they had relatives and a lot of connections with Canada. I would be curious to know some of the names involved itn the Finian Movment. Of course myself being a vetran of many of the St. Patricks day celebrations in O Neil.

I'll see what I can find.  BTW O'Neil is one place I will not wear the orange bandanna to on March 17th.  Some of them up there might understand.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Delmonico,

We could have stood a bit more sensibility for the St Patrick's Day parade in my home town. I was in a carriage with a historical group ... and a couple of 'floats' up the way, the city IOOF was playing Scottish bagpipes and playing English marching tunes ... I swore if I heard 'Cock of the North' one more time, I was gonna get off the carriage and dissapear into the crowd, '51 Colt and all....

[Delmonico]

Delmonico,

We could have stood a bit more sensibility for the St Patrick's Day parade in my home town. I was in a carriage with a historical group ... and a couple of 'floats' up the way, the city IOOF was playing Scottish bagpipes and playing English marching tunes ... I swore if I heard 'Cock of the North' one more time, I was gonna get off the carriage and dissapear into the crowd, '51 Colt and all....

If you want to celebrate the day proper go to Ireland, most folks here ain't got the slightest idea about the day is all about.  Other than my orange bandanna and some good proper music in the CD player at work, I pass on it all.  And the orange is to show folks how little they know of the history. 

[Texas Lawdog]

Yessir!