The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-04-11

Sketch Of james j. O'Kelly, the New
York Herald Cuban Comm Missioner.
From the Daily Graphic, April 1O.l


From the Daily Graphic, April 1O.l
Whatever criticism may be urged against the
methods by which the New York HERALD is con-
Quoted, there can be no question that in one field
at least 1t distances all journalistic rivals-and that
is in expeditions and explorations, which appeal
wildly to the imagination OF the country at large,
Its Lowery Gang sensation, the discovery OF
Livingstone, the ModOc war Commission, and
finally these several expeditions to Cuba, are all OF
a character to impress the public with the great
resources, the boldness and the enterprise OF this
remarkable paper.
When the era of illustrated Journalism is fairly
under way, no doubt, still more surprising journal
istic feats will be accomplished but. certainly in
the present condition OF journalism and in this pc
culiar field OF enterprise the HERALD is without a
peer on this side OF the Atlantic. OF course, a sub
sdiary interest attaches to the heroes of these ex-
petitions. The public likes to know the form and
features OF men who have risked their lives and
encountered unknown perilS In order that the
breakfast tables ofAmerica might be supplied with
new sensations every morning. No small interest,
for instance, attaches to Mr.. James j. OKelly, the
HERALD correspondent, who is now in the hands
OF the Spanish authorities ar he has not been shot
by them) in Cuba. We accordingly give picture
of this gentleman in to-day's Ddav Graphic and
append few particulars of his life.
James j. O'Kelly was born in Galway Ireland,
in the year 1s40 He received the usual educa-
ton; and, being OF a rowing disposition, he went
to France and enlisted in the Legion Etrangere,
with which corps he was sent to Algeria, where
he served for several years. When the unfortunate
Mexican Expedition was determined upon the
Legion Etrangere was sent with the expedi-
tionary corps; and here O'Kelly took part In
the lew slight engagements which preceded
the occupation OF the City OF Mexico and the in
stalla,ion OF Macmillan in tine palace Of the
MontcZumas. In a few months, however, came
the crash Macmillan lost his life. 0Key, who
had remained in Mexico after the French
LETT fed to Texas, and stopped few months on
American SOIL At length, however, he returned
to France, and, getting reappointed In the
French army, he took part In the Franco-German
war; As the French army began to exhibit its
fatal weaknesses and defects delicate undertaking
devolved upon 0'Key. He was requested by the
French authorities to go over to Ireland and try
what success could be had in raising an Irish brig
ade for service in Frarfle. This business he will
ingy undertook; but shortly after he reached his
native country, and while he was yet engaged in
the preliminaries connected with the raising of
troops and providing secret and expeditions
means OF transporting them to France the dread
full collapse at Sedan occurred and OKey's oc-
cupation was gone. AS Ireland offered no field for
his restless, ambitious spirit, he determined to
come to America and arrived In this country in
the latter part OF 1871 lie obtained an engage
ment on the HERALD as q reporters; subse-
quenty his knowledge Of matters connected with
art being discovered, he was employed as art
critic Here he exhibited so much talent and
Judgment that he was speedily promoted to the
editorial rank and became one OF the members OF
the council. lie continued in the performance OF
these duties until the. beginning of the present
year, when. after the return or Mr.. Henderson
from Cuba, and his comparative want OF success
In that dangerous enterprise, Mr.. 0'EellS was re-
quested to proceed to the "Ever Faithful Isle" and
try his hand at boarding Spanish hdalgos and
ts-aving the bullets OF Spanish pickcts. He will
ingiy accepted this perilous task. Upon his arrival
in C1ba he was seized by the Spanish authorities.
and rather alarming threats were made in regard
to him. 1t. however, being made clear that he had
10 political designs. he was let 70, and very soon