Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-04-24

tails and refused his approval. The bill. re-
modelled SO as to meet the Presidents OBJ
1ections, was Immediately reintroduced In
both houses. 1t passed the Senate, but fall
ed to get through the House that Congress.
The bill had again passed the Senate this
congress and was unanimously reported by
the House committee having 1t In charge
the day the health Of the claimant broke
dering 1t necessary that he should be taken
to the hospital.
sketch of His Life.
Vim. McGarrahan was born in Enniskil-
len. County Fermanagh. in the nerth Of
ireland, in October. 1925 The family had
been extensive landholders, but at the time
OF his birth were only in moderate circum-
stances. He spent his youth In Sligo. with
an uncle. and until his death attended q
private school. and on the death Of his un-
Gle began business as grocer and wine deal
er and was for some years successful In
amassing a competence.
He very early took part In the cause Of
Ireland and when barely seventeen was
delegate with the mayor, alderman and
other distinguished citizens to represent
the city Of Sligo at the national ceremonies
at Dublin, May, 1s45. to celebrate the libe-
ration Of OConnor and his seven martyr
friends. Among the Representatives on that
occasion were Smith O'Brien, Thomas
aa Tho MsashsT A Ts0mf M Rsvn w Rsy
in is4s. the French revolution re-
suited in the overthrow Of the monarchy. a
mass meeting was held In Sligo and On ad-
dress adopted congratulatins France on the
establishment Of a republic. Young Nc
Garrahan. then under twenty years Of age
mayor OF Verdan and Alderman O'Dono-
van were elected to present the address to
the French republican government
During the repeal agitation McGarrahan,
despite his years. took prominent part,
and when the division came between O'Con.
nell and his whig followers and the young
Ireland party. the future claimant seeded
with young Ireland" under Darcy Nc
Gee. who proposed him as member of the
Irish confederation, the parliament Of the
party. He continued an active member of
this party until it disbanded. in ls4s. when
most Of those with whom he acted had
been seized and sentenced to Punishment
py the British government. Soon after the
writ or habeas corpus was suspended and
McSarrahan's house was searched for arms
and papers.
A price Of 500 pounds was put on Darcy
McGees head. and a penalty Of fourteen
years Imprisonment for any one who har-
oored or assisted him. but McGarrahan
sheltered MCGEE until he could escape from
the country. McGarrahan then sold out his
extensive and prosperous business and prop
erty and followed his companions to Amer
lea. arriving here in March, l849 After a
residence OF some months in the east and
fornia his home. where he arrived in Octo.
per, lS49. He invested his capital in his
former business, and in 1853 he was one of
the leading merchants on the Pacific coast
He returned to Ireland in that year, and in
Dublin was entertained by Charles Gavin
Dury and John Nell McKenna both since
knighted and members Of the British parlia-
ment After an extended visit to the CONT
nent he returned to California in 1854 re-
sumed business and purchased q ranch in
San Jose valley, which he stocked with the
first improved herd in the state About this
time time he purchased from Gomez the
Mexican title to the Rancho Panoche
Grande, and with Ii came all his trouble
and such an experience Of the devious
methods Of litigation as was never before
known In this country. From that time,
December. 1857. Mr. McGarrahan's history
Is conspicuously of record In the courts of
California, the Supreme Court Of the United
States. the Interior Department and Con-
gress to the present day.
Tried to Talk About His Claim.
Senator Hunton, who was with Mr.. Nc
Garrahan when he died. said to q Star re-
porter this afternoon: When I reached
him McGarrahan tried to tell me about his
case. He said he wanted to talk about the
claim, but his strength failed him and he
was unable to say any more. He gradually
became weaker and died before he could
tell me what he wished me to do in regard
fal