Arizona republican., 1892-03-18
PETER DWELL CROWLEY.
The Tragedy of Kilclooney Wood Graph.
 icaIly Told.

The Tragedy of Kilclooney Wood Graph
 ioaiIy Told.
 One of the most picturesque figures in Irish history is Peter O'Neill Crowley. He was born in the barony of Imokil- leagh, in the county of Cork, and joined the Fenian organization at a very early age When the rising of March, eight cen hundred and sixty-seven. took place he was in the van
 He and four or five of his companions Mcclure, Kelly, Walsh and O'Neill among the number-had secreted them- selves in the wood at Kilclooney, not far from Mitchellstown They were practically outlaws, for price had been offered for their capture. But it was not destined to be paid-in money. De- spite informers and government spies the authorities had no idea of how many leaders, or of their followers, were in tho wood
 It was terrible ordeal for these few brave men, practically deserted by the thousands who had sworn to follow them and living beneath the trees, with no other shelter for over three weeks. It was a most forlorn condition; but Mack ey-who was the Mercury of the little band-and Crowley, determined to tire out the enemy" and the latter's little nephew brought them bread and other food from the village unobserved. (One of them told me that the loyalty and strategic patriotism of this little fellow is unexcelled in any history)
 | But there is an end to all things; and to this romance of Outlawry of the sixty seven rising there came sad and ter rible ending The authorities, believing , that at least a thousand Fenians were in Kilclooney wood, arranged for a grand coup and detailed regiment of soldiers and several hundred policemen to sur round 1t, 1t was in the dawn of the morning when this formidable little army approached Kilclooney from op- posite directions The wood descends from the converging hillsides of a pic turesque valley to little stream in the center
 The soldiers came down the western side. on the northern end of the wood and the police forces on the eastern As the light was dim. at this early hour and mist had gathered around the glen. the officers of the military force seeing the body of darkly dressed men descending the opposite slope, decided that they were Fenians, Orders to fire were immediately given-a real battle was believed to be imminent-and { redcoat volley was poured into the ad vancing body of green coated police men. And for a moment it was no . unlike real battle. for the policemen enraged by the deaths and wounds O that volley, responded unerringly witt Royal Irish green coated shower O bullets
 The result of the affair was uneven, the royal Irish constabulary are mucl better shots than the military. canno tell with any accuracy how many wer killed on both sides, but do know tha there were many more on each side thal the entire number of Fenians, "whos blood they were looking for" But tn most tragic part of this episode has ye to come. Against the advice of his com panions, Peter O'Neill Crowley said "'Tis no use trying to escape; but IT pink few redcoats before they get m dead or alive" And just when tn sun was breaking in the heavens am ! the clouds had rolled away, he rushe down the woody slope and into th stream
 Armed with two revolvers, he wade up the stream, and as he waded dis charged every one of their twelve bal rels at the English soldiers. A thou sand rifles rang through Kilcloone glen.
 Peter O'Neill Crowley had given hi life doing battle for Ireland
 His was the last life that was given | battle for Ireland. Today, close to tn spot where he died, there stands Celti cross, and generations of lrishmen Eye to come" will bring their children an say, "Peter O'Neill Crowley died here. They will not need to be told more, the will understand, for the Irish peopl revere their dead. Q. R.