The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-04-21
STRANGE STORY
FROM CHICAGO.
PRIDE IN RAGS REVEALED IN THE
WINDY CITY.
A Close Friend of Charles Stewart
ParneII Who Came to America to
Make a Fortune, but Ran Against
Dire Poverty.

| When James Moylan left his home in
County Mayo, Ireland, about year ago,
! to seek his fortune in America, he little
thought he would be compelled to sweep
the streets of Chicago to keep himself
from starving. He was recognized yes
terday by an old friend. who knew him
when he was gentleman farmer and
extensive cattle dealer in Mayo. Moylan
was shoveling snow with a gang of IN
employed men, who do the work for the
city and receive in return two meals a
day and their lodging, says the Chicago
Times.
I When a prominent Irish merchant OF
this city recognized him in his rags,
Moylan at first denied his identity, but
when the friend offered him a good
home he threw down his shovel and
with tears streaming down his cheeks,
admitted that he was James MOylan, Of
County Mayo.
James Moylan was one of the most in
fiuential politicians in his part of Ire
land. For years he travelled through
the counties of Mayo, Galway and Linn
erck, Cork and Tipperary, buying cat
tie. He was one of the leaders in Land
League affairs, and a personal frien9 Of
Charles Stewart Parnen.
Moylan was prosperous and contrib
Uted not only much time but large sums
of money to the movement. About two
years ago he met with a business re-
verse Out of the wreck he managed to
save the farm on which he and his fam
lily lived. In November, 1892, MOylan
decided to come to America, with the
hope of retrieving part of his fortune.
The night before he left Ireland he
gave a banquet. Among the guests pres
ent were John Deasey and John Dillon,
both members of parliament from
Mayo.
Moylan was for several years chair
man of the Killala Board Of Guardians,
which is the same as the board Of
county commissioners in this country.
Moylan had letters of introduction to
consul-general to London Nearly
everybody of any prominence in Ireland
has letters to Mr.. Collins when he comes
here, and 1t is not surprising that the
Boston politician could do nothing for
him.
Moylan had a snug little sum in a belt
around his waist, and he was not over
anxious to find work. He thought he
would look around for a few weeks, and
even if he found no employment until
spring, he had plenty of money.
His pile grew smaller and smaller, and
I there was no prospect Of situation such
as Moylan thought his education and
business capacity fitted him to fill
Finally, leaving Boston before he ran
entirely out of funds, he secured work
as baggageman at small town near
Buffalo. The work was too laboriouS for
a man who had led life Of ease. and he
was forced to quit
Then he came to Chicago, thinking he
could find something to do at the Worlds
fair that would be cOngenial. Since
coming here he has worked as runner
for cheap hotels, washing pots and ket-
ties in the pantry at the Palmer House
and finally had to go to. work on the
streets to keep from starving.
Moylan is SO years old and was edu-
Gated at ClOngOeswOod college, near
Dublin, one of the most celebrated insti-
buttons of learning in the British Isles.
When Carter H. Harrison, late mayor
of Chicago, was on his tour around the
world a few years ago, James MOylan
was one of the reception committee that
entertained him in Dublin.
His pride kept him from making HIM
self known to anyone in Chicago who
knew him in the days of his prosperity,