The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-21

or KANSAS CITY, HACKED NEARLY To DEATH
BY An ALLEGED DYNAMITRR IN
o'DoNovAY RossA's OFFICE.
Particulars of the attempted assassination
of Captain Thomas Phelan. of Kansas City,
by man giving his name as Richard Short,
and his residence New York, in the Office of
O'Dono7an Rosa in that city, have been
fully reported in this journal. The
latest accounts show that Phe-
Ian is rapidly recovering from
the injuries he received, and the probability
that sensational matter vii be elected in
the trial of Short. This person lies in the
Toombs, the city prison of New York. and
stubbornly refuses to communicate with the
press. 0'Donovsn Rosa also keeps his lips
closed against reporters. Captain Phelan
promises to anticipate the expected revels-
tons Of the trial by the publication of an
account of Rosss's doings, which, it is said,
will drive this notorious person out OF the
dynamite business. He says that he has
documents in his possession which will clear
him VI all suspicion of double dealing, and
at the same time expose Rosa and his asso-
ciates.
Captain Phelsn has long been identified
WITH the men VINO are CO0SDlr1DQ to iiD6rRto
Ireland from Its connection with the British
Empire. He is an Irishman by birth, hav.
ing been born in the County Tipperary, De-
cember %, 1886. AS an inmate of promi-
nent Irish family named De Ia Pouer, he
received good education.
In his twenty-second year he sailed for
the New World, and, after spending few
months East, went to Missouri, in which
State he has eyer since resided, with the ex.
ception of three years spent in Washington.
Early in his life in Missouri he received
pistol wound of which ne still bears traces,
from man with whom he had quarrel and
who shot him in the left hand.
This misfortune did not interfere how
ever, with bis eligibility to serve his adopted
country and he was enlisted in the Union
Army at the beginning of the war. His
first position of any prominence was recuit-
ing sergeant in Kansas City. Afterward, in
active service, he proved to be brave and
capable soldier, and rose to the rank of Cap
tain. During most of this time he was in
the command OF General Logan.
He was married at Independence, Mo-, in
the year 1864. Seven children have been
born to the couple, of whom four are living.
The eldest, a daughter, is now with her
mother assisting in the care of the father
and husband, who lies at the New York Hos.
pital.
Captain Phelan was elected Register of
Jackson County, Missouri, in $780, Two
I n
the same county. Having served out his
term In this capacity, he travelled with an
other expert, showing his skill in shooting.
His employments in Washington were hrst
as q ccOrkeeper in the House of Representa-
tiyss, and then as Lieutenant of the Capitol
| police. He afterwards returned to Kansas
City With his family and began an Ice bust
Dees. In the spring OF 1884 he was made Su-
perintendent OF the WorkhOuse, position
of which he Is still the incumbent.
Nothing wos supposed OF his connection
with the most pronounced Irish conspira.
tors until after he suddenly left Kansas
! City in April, 1888 When in August of the
same year news was received that James
| Carey, informer in the Phoenix Park, Dub
lin, murder cases, had been assassinated,
Pbelan was widely supposed to be the OCon-
nell who had shot him. This proved to be a
| prominence a. an Irish leader, the fact that
| he was SO being no longer concealed. 1t
| appeared after his return that his business
| in Europe WIS to procure information which
would prevent extradition of 2. j. Sheridan.
| He is said 70 have procured evidence that
Sheridan was in Paris at the time OF the
/ murders in Phoenix Park and to have Sc
/ cured two witnesses Who would prove this
[ in case the British Government persisted in
| its demand for the extradition OF Sheridan
| The demand was Withdrawn, and Phelan's
services as stated were consequently not re-
! quired.
No authentic Information has been made
public, as yet as to how far Captain Phelan
was made privy to the designs of the dyna-
| miters. a few days after he had given in
| formation to Kansas City paper respecting
1 an alleged attempt to blow up the british
/ Queen" steamer he went TO New York, as it
J is thought, TO clear up any difficulty which
! might have arisen with 0'Donovan Rosa
| and his fellow conspirators, in consequence
| of this publication. While in the Office of
| the United Irishmen, that attempt on his
| life was made which has given him world
I wide notoriety.