The Washington times., 1904-12-22
WIDOW CARNEY
CLAIMS $4,000.
Says Husband Supplied
Lincoln Information.
He WAS A CANNY SCOT
Sent Ships Built for the Confederacy
on Clyde River Into Hostile
Naval Ambushes.

Embodying a plea to the effect that
Michael Carney, who kept a lodging
house in Glasgow, Scotland, was instrll-
mental in helping to terminate the civil
war and that his estate should there
fore be reimbursed to the extent of $780,
600 a bill introduced into Congress by
Congressman George D. McCreary re-
Gently reveals a story SO much like fic-
ton as to be almost incredible says the
philadelphia Inquirer
Congressman McCreary acted on be-
halfso Mrs. Mary Carney, now an aged
woman, wfio resides at 5eG7 Devon
Street, Philadelphia During Grover
CievelaEd's Administration as President
the woman's petition for payment for
the services5 of her husband was acted
Upon favorably by then Secretary of
State Oiney
1t developed at that time. however
that there Were no funds available for
the purpose. Senator Penrose became
interested IN the case, and last January
presented a bill for action by the SEN
dfe- Then, before the contents of the
petition had been passed upon by this
body. 1t was decided il would be better
to have Congress consider the appeal
Scotch Ships for Confederacy.
None of the politicians interested in
Mrs. Cairneys case seem to doubt her
story. She describes how. during the
civil war, there was much sympathy in
Scotland for the Confederates So great
was this sentiment, she SAYS. that al
most all Scotland felt a personal pride
IN the fact that a shipyard on the Clyde
River had contracted TO build cruisers
for the Southern government
During the years 1861 to 1866, exactly
forty-five ships were turned out by the
Scotland contractors, and these. were
sent to the Confederate leaders. Five
reached their destination in good con-
clifton The remaining forty sailed
straight into naval ambusheS and were
either captured or dangerously injured
by shots from vessels flying the Stars
and Stripes.
How the Union sailors accomplished
these feats, how they knew exactly
where to await the coming of the Con-
federate ships. and how the plans of
occasion, Were things which baffied not
only Souti1erners themselves. bat the
Scotland shipyard.
Carney Furnished Information.
In presenting her claim for $50 ,o5a ..for
services rendered the United States Gov
ernment during the civil war; Mrs
CARNEY gives what she claims is the
true explanation. OF the mystery She
declares that her husband, Michael Cair-
ney. acted as agent for the Union, and
furnished President Lincoln with in
formation that led to the capture OF
forty out of the forty-five ships built
by the Scotland shipyard
While CARNEY was alive he made fre-
quent efforts to have his claim against
the Government recognized He sent
number of letters to this country, but
the authorities Were unable TO adjust
the matter He died a short time ago in
poverty. Mrs. Carney sold the few
effects of the house in Glasgow, and,
with her daughter, Annie, started for
this country.
Determined to press her appeal upon
the Government, Mrs CARNEY went TO
Michael Francis Doyle, of Philadelphia,
an6 asked him to act as her attorney,
and see what he could do to have her
claim recognized. Attorney Doyle man
aged 10 interest Senator Penrose and
Congressman McCreary and they are
now endeayorfng TO get an appropriation
sufficient to satisfy the woman'S claim.