Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1880-12-16
The GOHHEAARA COLONY.
Report OF the EHvesiigatIHS
Committee of the Board OF
Trade of Nscrris.

of Morris met in special session last FRIDAY,
the business before the board being
the report of the committee sent to investi-
gate the many conflicting rumors in circu-
lation, regarding the condition of affairs in
the Conncmara settlement at Graceville,
Big Stone county. The following report,
which we publish entire, contains some
seemingly incredible statements of the set
tiers to the committee concerning their in
human treatment by the priest III charge.
This portion of the report might have been
omitted, cor it would not weaken it,
as it is probable these people are mu Oh in
censed against the priest, de
manding assistance all the time. and con-
sidcring him bound to aid them whether
they help themselves or not. Certain
facts, however, go to show that much that
was proper and necessary was not done by
those directly in charge. The sick and
helpless should have been provided and
cared for ut least.
After the reading of the report Mr..
Hutchins related conversation with Faith
er Ryan, in which that gentleman ex-
pressed great indignation at the investiga-
ton. denouncing in strong terms the peo-
pie of Morris for their interference with
his affairs. The statements of Mr.. Hutch
ms were corroborated by Mr.. Mcpherson,
who also gave some additional facts. The
report speaks for itself, and as it is plain,
anvarnished statement of facts, it reveals
klmentable condition of affairs:
MORRIS, Mimi, Dec. 10, 1880.
To the Board Of Trade Of the uiIGge Of
Norris.
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN: Asa
committee appointed to investigate the
condition of the Connemara settlers, L re-
spcctfully submit the following report:
On yesterday, December 8, l visited
twenty of their shanties, and saw and con-
vcrsed with the occupants of three others,
and to day visited two, in all twenty-five
families, which, from all the information
could gather, believe to be all of the
colony, rs some who came with those who
are now there have wisely left, and are
elsewhere shifting for themselves and their
shanties are empty.
found all of these families in terrible
stlte eff restitution, filth and suffering.
Ole hundred and thirty-Seven children
are, with the exception of five or six, bare
footed, and so nearly naked that they are
constant sufferers from the cold. In most
cases found very few sticks of wood,
Say from three to ten, and in one instance
about three quarters of Il cord, which had
been purchased by an elder son who has
been working in St. Paul. They have been
burning hay, which in most cases is nearly
exhausted.
Many of the adults are old and feeble
and most of them have the same haggard
look which some of us have seen in the
faces of those who were starved in rebe
prison pens.
The first family I visited was that Of NeG
Melia. which found in the greatest mis-
cry, this being, happily for the others, the
worst case of all The family consists Of
eight persons The man is lying on the
floor in the corner Of the shanty, on filthy
rags, with no covering, and is badly frozen
He walked to Graceville (thirteen miles
on the 9Th instant, bitter cold day; wen
TO the house of the priest, Father Ryan
WHO, ON finding him at the door, called
him vile name and ordered him to ''bt
Off" TIE poor man said, Father, my
wife AMI children are starving and freez
ing, and will soon he dead unless you senC
them TO d and fuel" Father Ryan ther
said, well, when they die / will bury
them" This old man is so severely frozer
that he is helpless; hands. feer, face ant
ears, all done on that fruitless trip to til,
priest for succor for his wife and children
On a bunk of boards, without covering
lies his daughter of sixteen years, alst
badly frozen and helpless. This occurred
while she was in the house on her misera
BILE bed on the night after The day on which
her father had vainly sought help from tn
priest, and while he WAS groaning from
the effects of the frost upon himself. 9th
crs of the children are slightly frozen, ant
the old lady is just recovering from crue
freezing some time in November, and al
are half starved. l found no provisions il
the house save few potatoes in KEITH
on the stove, which had just been sen
them by kind hearted German named
Rixe, and the Chi dren were watching tina
kettle as Il hungry dog watches piece o
meat. have to day seen this German
and he told me, as did also members o
this family, that they would all have per
ished had it Lot been for his help and tina
Of another good German named Wolff
who. even though they are poor, hav
given little food just when they mus
have had it or died. They had very few
sticks of wood, not enough to last through
an ordinary storm. These old people ar
fit subjects for a hospital, as is also tn
daughter, and think they should be sen
to St. Paul as soon as possible. Col. Dun
lap and his excellent wife very kind,
gathered up a quantity of old clothes
shoes, etc, and also gave me some fou
and bread, which, with twenty pounds o
Dat meal. five Of crackers and one-hal
pound of tea, the latter the gift of Mr.
George Mcpherson, / brought 10 them to
day, and in return received their choices
blessings.
The next family visited was that of Mi
chael FlahertY. consisting of nine persons
With this family is that of Anthony Nc
CURE, eight in number McGuire's hous
was burned to the ground ten days since
together with all his effects, and amongs
tllerest seventy dollars in money, which
he had earned Of the railroad company