The Mankato free press., 1904-01-15
OFFICER KELLY DEAD
Veteran Police Officer Has Walked His
Last Earthly Beat.
Was One of the Historic Figures of
Southern Minnesota.
Served on the Police Force a Quarter
Of Century.
Had Many Exciting Encounters and
Neryy Experiences.

From Saturdays Daily.
Just as the whistle blew for six
o'clock last evening, the soul of James
Kelly, the well known and veteran police
officer, answered the call of its Maker
and left its earthly habitation. The
aged man died at his home, SIT North
Fifth street, surrounded by the members
of his family.
Mr.. Kelly's illness commenced a num-
Der of weeks ago, when he was stricken
with pneumonia. After a hard fight
he succeeded in throwing that off, but he
was left in such weakened condition,
owing to his age, that he failed to re-
cover his strength, and his heart and
kidneys showed weakness. He gradual
ly declined. Yesterday consultation of
physicians, including DIR. H. A. Tomlin-
son of st. Peter decided that warm
bath and perspiration might induce
sleep and do him some good. This was
given in the afternoon, and he SEEM
ed much better when it was over, but
fifteen minutes later he began to fail
yisibly, and the end came shortly.
The deceased was born in County
Clare, Ireland, but his age is not defin-
itely known, as he was always .reticent
about it, if he knew himself what it was
AS nearly as can be estimated he was
eighty-three years of age. After
coming to America, he located
first in New York state, and
later went to Wisconsin, making his
home at Fond du Lac for time. He
came to Blue Earth county and con-
Quoted farm near Alma City, on the
county line.
Mr. Kelly came to Mankato when it
was small place compared with what
it is now, and embarked in the hotel
business with Charles O'Connor, now OF
ST. Clair. They conducted the Wells
House, which was located where the Phil
lips livery barn now stands, on Walnut
street, between Front and Second. This
hotel later burned.
After retiring from the hotel business
Mr.. Kelly bought and conducted Julius
Spencer's furniture factory. He carried
on the business for six or seven years
and at the same time manufactured a
boiling machine to purify flour. A Mr.
Roemer had a patent upon this, and had
an interest in its sale. 1t would have
proved paying venture had not the hard
times caused many of the mills to fail
with the bolting attachment unpaid for
In 1865, Mr.. Kelly was united in mar
rioge with Miss Alice O'Connor, sister
of Charles O'Connor, and six children
were born to them, of whom four are
now living, Miss Laura, Miss Katie Alice
Mrs. Susan Fields, and John, aged fifteen
all of this city. The deceased also had
four brothers, only one of whom, Thomas
Kelly of Detroit, Mich, is now living
The others were Patrick, John, and
Michael. John, whose death oc-
Cured first, left Mr.. Kelley his
property, which consisted of several val
liable lots in this city, besides other
property. Patrick left him an interest
in farm, and he had charge of the prop
erty, which he was about to dispose OF
and divide the proceeds among the heirs
One sister, Mrs Waters of Fond du
Lac, Wis, survives the deceased.
Mr.. Kelly was elected an alder
man in 1876, and served three years. He
served as county commissioner
from 1873 to 1882. He held the lat
ter office three years, and it was while
he was member of the board that the
Minnesota river bridge was constructed
He was always upright and honorable
in all of his public acts, having only the
best interests of the city and county at
heart
Mayor Maxfeld appointed Mr.. Kelly