The Irish standard., 1897-01-23
Hibernia Hall at Butte the Scene
sif9t6s
Of a Grand 0utpouring
Of People.
JOINT INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
Rev. Father Gallagher Speaks Feel
ingly on 81 Cause Dear
to HIS Heart.

Un Wednesday ItSul, JAN. OIA, q soy
and happy throng assemb led in Hibernia
Hall, Butte, Mont, TO witness the joint
installation Of the nawly-elected officers
of Division No. I, "A. O. H., and of Divi-
sions Nos. / and q, Ladies, Auxiliary.
This, being The first attempt at joint
installation by the A. o. H. and Ladies'
Auxiliary, in the West, the ceremony
was looked upon as rather unique and
elaborate preparations were made for it's
successful contamination. At $3.50 D. M,
when the proceedings opened, the hall
was comfortably filled. About 400 Of the
members of both societies were present,
their animated faces, their merry laugh
ter, their good natured repartee showing
plainly that they were all typical chill
dren of the Gael. Some there were, in
deed, who had never set eyes on the
heath-clad hills, the fertile valleys, the
| romantic lakes or the grooming streams
of Erin, but inherited their love for the
old land it's checkered history, It's glori-
GUS traditions, from patriotic fathers and
virtuous mothers. The hall was taste
fully decorated for the occasion with the
American and Irish colors. Brother
Quinn Crowley, who has the happy fac
ulty of always bringing up something
new at Division meetings, acted as usher,
and I am not trespassing on the truth
when say that he excelled in that ca
pacity. His beaming smile for every
body, all the more intense when some
handsome young woman made her ap-
pearance, was inspiring to behold.
Division No. I, A. o. H., of Silver Bow
county, was organized in 1880 with a
small membership. Situated in Butte,
the county seat Of Silver Bow, it has
kept pace with the growth Of the great
mining camp, until, today, it is, in point
of numbers, wealth, intelligence and
spirit of progress that should always
characterize the A. O. lone of the FORE
most divisions in the country. Division
No. 1, Ladies' Auxiliary, was instituted
in November, 1894; Division No. 2, in
February, 1896. Under the able guidance
Of the County President, Mrs. Bridget
O'Leary, and their efficient stats of off,
GERS. they have succeeded: beyond the
most sanguine, expectations of their
1CunQefS. - ia. .. r..
In the unavoidable absence of the re-
firing President, M. J.. Burke, the Vice
President, Lawrence Duggan, occupied
the chair. And here let me says word
or two about Brother Mike Burke: Con-
nected with the "A: O. H. for rs or 30
years, he came here from Virginia City,
Nevada, less than four years ago. He
had scarcely been transferred to the
Butte division when he was elected it's
President-a splendid tribute to his abil-
ity, integrity and patriotism, and credit
able alike to the divisiuns and to himself
Brother Burke has served: three terms as
president and was the unanimous choice
of the division for: that office for the en-
suing twelve months, but pressure of
business, and desire to rest on the fine
record he has made.in the field of Hiber-
nianism, for a season or*two, compelled
him to decline the honor. Anybody who
has ever had the pleasure of attendine-a
meeting of the A. O. H. in Butte, during
his incumbency, has expressed the un-
qualified belief that he has few, if any,
equals as presiding officer in the Unite.
States. His extensive knowledge OF par
acquaintance with the constitution al
ways enabled him to readily dispel any
doubts that might arise in the minds of
the members on any knotty question
hatpresented itself. Division No. / will
miss the presiding genius of Brother NJ
J. Burke. A..
An, excellent program was prepared
for the occasion. The name of John J.
OMeara, state president of the A. o. H.
Of Montana, was the first on the pro-
gram. He delivered an address on the
history of the A. o. H., which for terse-
ness, oratorical ability and the amount
of information it contained, could scarce
ly be surpassed. Among other interest
ing matters referred to in the course of
his able effort, Brother O'Meara called
attention to the fact that when the ma
tional convention of the A. o. III. was
held In Minneapolis ten years ago, the
membership of the order was only 40, 900;
today, in spite of open and covert hos
tility in some quarters, in spite of the
:yiliflcation of enemies, in spite of the
almost criminal indifference of many of
our race, the membership stood at $780,
600, ranking third or fourth amang the
fraternal societies Of America in num-
bers, and in influence, wealth and
achievements, second to none! Brother
O'Meara was loudly cheered at the con-
clusion of his address. ~
Mrs. Kate Norris, state president Of
the Ladies' Auxiliary, A. O. H., was
named to speak on the Auxiliary, it's