Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-01-12
NEW YORK STABBING AFFRAY.
Capt. Phelan's Condition Unchanged
He Believes That He Was Delib.
erately EntTapped in
ROssa's Office.

The condition of Capt Phelan continue.
to improve this afternoon. Mr.. Jno. Reilly
a friend, had conversation with him this af
ternoon. To his friend. Phelan said that he
came here to explain matters to Rosa, about
an interview in the Kansas City Journal. He
now believes that he was deliberately en-
trapped in Rossa's office to be murdered
Tom" said Reilly, "When knew you in
Kansas, you were always too quick with your
pop to be caught on the snap; why did you
let them catch you in this way" Il didn't
get time, replied Phelan, and besides the
room was so small and the attack so sudden
that could not get my pistol out"
Phelan's story of the attempt to blow ur
the steamer is secuted at in the company's
office in this city. Mr.. Hurst, agent, saws
that he has never heard of any dynamite
being found on the Queen, either on this side
or at Liverpool. If ANYTHING of the kind
had occurred he would have been sure TO have
known about it.
Mr.. Hurst considers the story manufac-
tured for the purpose of deluding the ignor-
ant Irishmen
the Commercial Advertiser saws, the gem
eral impression of the Irishmen, according
to the late vice president of the National
Land League, is that the attempted murder
of Phelan was deliberately planned and car
ried out by O'Donovan Rosa, Patrick Joy
and their followers.
United Irishmen have been in straits re-
Gently. The subscribers have been falling
of and complaining that the leaders had done
nothing for the cause of Ireland in punish
ing traitors, who were assisting England in
''blsbbing" to newspaper reporters in this
country. One of the oaths which members of
the extremists are Obliged to take, is that they
shall not divulge the plans or intentions of
their leaders, under any circumstance, on the
pain of severe punishment. If a secret is
| told that is weighty enough to interfere with
any important measure against England then
| the person who voices the secret shall be re-
moved
Rosa is believed to be absolutely depend
ent on subscriptions to his publication. As
there are constantly dozen or two men who
are constantly prowling about his office, any
effort to interfere with this source of income.
would merit, according to these men, condign
punishment. The subscriptions are for the
''cause." As exemplified by Rosa, when
Phelan was interviewed by reporter to the
Kansas City Journal, he told more than his
promises should have permitted him. From
dynamiters standpoint, his description of
the attempt to blow up the Queen, was such
as to carry conviction. The story involved
the safety of the Irshmen, both in this coun-
try and in England, and Rosa, it is stated,
received demands from his followers, that
Phelan had too freely spoken and should be
punished. Rossa does not care to place
his head in the lions mouth and refused to
have anything to do with the matter, and con-
sented, it is said only when he had been COM
PEELED to write the letter to Phelan, which
eventually brought the latter to this city.
The convenient absence of both Rossa and
Joyce from the office of the United Irishmen
yesterday. while the buchery was going on is
regarded as suggestive that they knew what
was about to take place. 1t is the custom of
the office when neither Rosa nor Joyce is
there, to double paddock the door so that an
entry into its mysteries is impossible. The
circumstance, that while Rosa and Joyce
were at their homes the Office was crowded
by half dozen men, whom none of the
leaders acknowledge they knew, is considered
at least presumptive evidence, that attestions
| OF lnnoCeDse go for naught. Rosa seldom
visits the Office after o'clock in the after
noon. His visit yesterday, at dusk, and the
manifest nervousness he displayed when ques-
toned as to the stabbing, were both unusual.
CHICAGO, Jan. 10.
Capt Phelan is well known among the
Chicago followers of Rossa and is warm
friend of p w. Duane, one of the recognized
leaders ameng the nationaists here.
Il know Phelan,' said Mr.. Duane, 'and |
think | know Kearney, if he is Jack Kearney
of New York. The assault grew out of a
misapprehension | believe. | don't think it
is possible that Phelan is a traitor, as is said
l know him to be an honorable gentleman,
Jealous and patriotic. | know little or moth
ing of the inside of the matter. O'Donovan
Rosa Published in his paper in Kansas City
an interview, but made no comments.
know, however, he did write Phelan and
asked him if the interview was correct, but
| don't think Phelan sent reply. The next
| heard was that Phelan had gone on to New
York. suppose he went there to tell Rossa
he was not the author of the interview or to
square himself with Kearney"
'Do you believe that he was trapped?"
''That don't know. | believe this, how
ever, that Capt. Phean is not the man to give
his brother nationalsts away in the news
papers. He would not give them away at
| all, but if he should he could get better paw
from the British government. There is not
a man of US who has not been approached by
English detectives. There are some of us
that they cannot bribe though, and Capt
Phelan is one of them. No, it is my opinion
that Capt. Phelan was not the author of the
interview, but the people of New York
might have still believed he was. despite his
denial, and decided to punish him. 1t is q
misspprehension, in my belief, though
don't know enough about the case to form
any opinion"
Who is Richard Short, who did the stab.
bing?"
81 don't know him at all"
"He was in Chicago once?'
That may all be. but don't know. Per
haps he travelled under some other name
He couldn't havs been in Chicago long be
cause train with all nationalists and never
heard of him.
Several other nstionilsts were seen thai
either did not know or would not admit they
knew.
/ KANSAS CRY, jan 10.
The wife of Cant Phelan left here this
morning for New York to join her husband
Phelan is described as q man of remarkable
courage, quick temper and fond of notorety
At one time he travelled about the country
giving exhibitions of skill as a marksman
His visit to New York was the result of
recent interview published here, but opinions
differ as to whether he went in response to
summons there or for private purposes of hi
own. 1t is generally supposed, however
there was some misunderstanding regardin,
1 he ,,I ha IL