The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1886-06-16
ANECDOTES ABOUT JOHN KELLY.
Practising With a Pistol for a DueI-How
He Got the Title Honest"
New York World.1

lNeW 1OIk hOIlu.l
Those who had lifelong acquaintance
with Mr.. Kelly during his active political
career of more than forty years, are now tell
ing many stories about his busy life. The
veteran Colonel Dunlap knows perhaps
more about Mr.. Kelly than any ether living
man. He knew him personally, politically
and intimately since Mr.. Kelly first entered
into politics in the old Fourteenth
Ward. Colonel Dunlap remembers distinct
ly the quarrel Mr.. Kelly had with Con-
gresham Taylor, of Brooklyn, who was
colleague of Mr.. Kelly. They had some
words about patronage in the Brooklyn Ma
vy-yard. Mr.. Taylor thought Mr.. Kelly was
getting more than he was entitled to. Mr..
Taylor insisted on keeping up his enmity
tyward Mr.. Kelly, and continued to provoke
him. Finally Mr.. Kelly decided that he
had stood enough abuse from Mr.. Taylor,
and was not slow in letting him know it.
The Congressman from New York and the
Congressman from Brooklyn actually agreed
to settle their differences by duel. Colonel
Dunlap represented Mr.. Kelly, and Daniel
d. Briggs, Deputy Surveyor under President
Brooklyn, was Mr.. Taylor's friend.
Letters of arrangement for the
meeting passed between the two principals,
and both began preparations for the duel.
Mr.. Kelly went so far as to practice shooting
with pistol and rifle. He practiced in a Sc
cluded spot near the Clarement Hotel, with
in short distance of the present resting
place of General Grant. Colonel Dunlap
vouches for this and says that Mr.. Kelly was
earnest and meant to fight. Friends inter
fered and the hostile meeting did not take
place.
Colonel Dunlap also confirms the state
ment that Mr.. Kelly and Congressman
ho1l nf NIB
very near fighting a duel over words in
debate in the House of Representatives on
the Naturalization bill.
The late Bernard Kelly, who served terms
in the Board of Aldermen and State Senate,
was one of Mr.. Kelly's friends. They often
met when boys and grew up together in poll
tics. Young John Kelly and young Bernard
Kelly were employed for a short time in
Wallis rope-walk in Williamsburg. They
were both strong youths and were fond of
athletic exercise. They met every morning
at the foot of Grand street and rowed over
to Williamsburg. After their days toll was
finished they would ferry themselves back to
New York.
The night that Mr.. Kelly was first nomi-
mated for Congress Colonel Dunlap visited
the Herald Office and called upon the elder
Bennett, whom he knew personally. Mr..
Bennett was in his little sanctum at work.
"Wel, Mr.. Dunlap, what's upp exclaimed
the proprietor of the Herald, as he stopped
his pen. "Have you been raising the devil
again in Tammany HallT'
'No, SIR" replied Mr.. Dunlap. 1--WE have
nominated a man for Congress against Mike
Walsh"
"Oh, the devil" said Mr.. Bennett, what
Is the use Of you doing that? You can't de-
feat Mike Walsh"
"Ies we can," answered Mr.. Dunlap. #
who have you nominatedY asked Mr..
Bennett in lis gruf way.
John Kelly"
Who is hep
He is Alderman of the Fourteenth
Ward" =
"Of the present Board?"
Eyes, sir"
whats bis record and who is he any,
how?''
why, Mr.. Bennett he was once your OF.
fee boy"
Mr.. Bennett then asked more about him,
and remembered him distinctly as bright
youth. He asked about his record as an Al
derman, and seemed pleased with ii. Mr..
Bennett was opposed to Mike Walsh because
Walsh, as the editor of aqueer publication
known as the Subterranean, had pitched
into him and the Herald. He knew that
Walsh was popular with the masses, and was
hard man to defeat. He told Mr.. Dunlap
that he would support Mr.. Kelly, and the
next day the Herald cume out with an
article favoring Mr.. Kelly for Congress. The
article began: "Tammany Hall has nomi-
mated Honest John Kelly for Congress against
Mike Walsh" That was the first time Mr..
Kelly was called Honest John Kelly" and
the title stuck to him deservedly through