The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-02-05
I,ossA,s CARRIER.
Released from n British Prison to become
Dynamite Chief.

Eslehsed FROM n British Prison to become !.
dynamite Chief.
PHILADELPHIA Pres.
Rosa, whose real name is Jeremiah
oDonovan, but who added the Name
which he writes last, deriving it from the
name of his native village, Rosscarberry,
in Ireland, was born in 1880, and, when a
young man, kept shop in skibbereen,
where he sold food and clothing. Hewas
sworn in rs Il member OF the Fenian Bro
therhood in 1855. He was first arrested
in 1858, when he WIS charged with trea-
son.felony in having arms in his posses
sion, and with belonging to the Phoenix
Society. The information on which lie
was taken was lodged against him by a
priest. lie was kept in prison Tor three
months and then was conditionally re-
leased, the British Government having
been unable TO procure evidence against
him. InlSG2 he visited America.
Returning to Ireland, he soon after be-
came manager OF The Irish People, the
organ OF the Fenians, published in Dublin.
The paper was seized September 10, 1865,
and ali connected with it thrown into
prison. Rosa was tried on o charge OF
treason-iclony and conducted his own de-
Tense. He was adjudged felon and was
sentenced to penal servitude for the term
OF his natural life. He was first confined
in Mountjoy Prison, thentaken to England
and put in the prison at Pentonvillo.
Thence he was removed to Portland.
While in Jail there he claimed to be q
political prisoner and refused TO be classed
with thieves and murderers. In q book
published in this country in 1871 entitled
"0'Donovan Rossa's Prison Lie" he
speaks bitterly CT the treatment he re-
ceived in consequence OF this. He says he
was confined IN damp cell, into which
the snow penetrated, was beaten by savage
keepers, lad handouts size too small
forced on his WRISTS ndsubSisted on bread
and water for 500 days. From Portland
he was taken to Nlilbank and thence TO
Chatham, where he declares that he had
his hands chPined behind his back for
thirty-tiye days consecutively.
Ho was an unruly prisoner. He broke
everything lie could lay his hands on, and
crammed the lock with pieces Of dish,
SO that It took tho jailers eight hours to
open the door. AT another time he bar
ricaded himself, and the keepers were
compelled to break the door in with a
sledve.hammer, and his eliminating
otIense was dashing pail OF slops in the
Governors face. He was finally released,
under the general amnesty OF 1864, on
condition that he would reside outside OF
the United Kingdom for twenty-five years.
Rosa came Immediately TO New York,
and soon aftcr his arrival ran as an indie
pendent candidate Tor State Senator
against William NJ. Tweed, who easily de-
feated him. He was for some time an
agent Of the Gulon Steamship Line; for u
time lie kept cheap hotel In West street,
and afterwards q hotel at Chatham Square
and Mott street. OF late he has been
editor OF tho United IriSttaar, and the
active Secretary OF the Stimulating Fund
Committee. The fund was startedin 1874
at his suggestion, and he, with Austin
Ford aud James ]. Clancy, constituted In
the original trustees. His recent action in
connection with the dynamiters is familiar
history. .su.