New-York tribune., 1885-01-12
PHELANS CAREER IN THE WEST.
HIS REASONS FOR GOING TO IRELAND.
STORY ABOUT A LEGACY DOUBTED-HIS con-
NECTION WITH THE KILLING OF CAREY.
fRY TELKGRAPH To THE rRInuNHI

STORY ABOUT LEGACY DouBrED-Hrs con-
NEcrIoN WITH THE KILLING OF CAREY.
rBY TELEGRAPH To rRIBUSg.I
KANSAS CITY, Jan. 11.-Although much is known
by Irish patriots here concerning Captain Phelau's
connection with dynamitcurs and revolutionists
there, is decided reticence on their part to tell
what facts they know. From conversations held
with several of these men. however, it
is believed that when Captain Phelan
went to Ireland in May, 1888. his
sole purpose was to execute an orde- issued to him
by the revolutionists. He started without inform
ing his family where he was going. and when he
reached Ncw-YOrk he wrote back that he intended
visiting his old home in Ireland for the purpose
of looking after legacy of about $4,000 which
was TO be left to him by an uncle. Captain Phelan
visited his old home in Ireland, but when he re-
turned to Kansas City IN September, 1888,
he brought no $4,000 with him, and those
who familiar with his affairs aver that
he has had little money at any time since his re-
turn. When he landed at New York a newspaper
of that city published statement that Captain
Phelan one of eight men selected by the revo-
luionsIs to find and kill Carey, and the statements
were confirmed by purported interviews with Cap
tain Phelan. To a reporter Captain Phelan,
on his rottfrn to Kansas City, denied that
he had talked with any New-York reporter, and he
also disclaimcd any connection with the InvInci-
bes although in reference to his object in gong to
Scotland he said enough TO make 1t probable that
had Carey been landed at that country. it would
have been Phclaa, instead of O'Donnell, who
caused the death Of the informer.
From conversations to-day had with Irishmen 1t
would appear that Captain Phelan was one of
eight or ten men selected to kill Carey, it
being stated that Captain Phelan was appointed
to watch the ports of Edinburgh and Glasgow,
the man Kearney Liverpool. ODonne Dartmouth
and the east coast of England, and Short, the as
sailant Of Phelan, another port. Since the at
tempted assassination OF Phelan considerable specu-
latiou is lndul ged n and II Is intImated that one
cause OF the trouble between Phelan and the
other revolutionsts Is the fact that he
received nothing for tho part that hs took while
abroad, aud furthermore that the $4,000 he cx-
pecicd as q legacy was really to have come out of
the skirmishng fund. 1t seems certain that Phe:
Ian expected trouble when he left here. for he told
only Natlonalists where lie was gong and his
St Louis. Lyman McCarty, general Western pas
senger agent of the BALTIMORE and Ohio road, ac-
companied Captain Phelap from TINS CITY to VnicagS
they travelled together the entire distance and
were with each other in Chicago. Captain Phelan
made no mention of the object OF ms TRIP To New
York and Ii was not until McCarty's return TO
Kansas City, when he saw the newspapers
that ne had any idea of Phelau's mission.
While in Chicago Captain Phean purchased at
the suggestion of McCarty an accident pol icy for
SO, 900. and he will receive $40 per week for SIX
months. If he lives and is disabled that length of
time. The wife Of Captain Phe'an and their eldest
daughter age eighteen. started at 6;l5 tins MORN
Ing for Ncw-York. After passing sleepless night
they were tolerably composed until they arrived at
the depot. when thoy saw the sensational ac-
counts published IN the newspapers. lhe daughter
tainted twice and the mother was scarcely less at
fected. There was scene III the iades waltlng
room of the hotei until they got aboard their tram