Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-07-07
THEMEAGHER
MONUMENT
An Immense Crowd Witnesses the
Dedication Ceremonies in Front
Of State Capitol Building.
TRIBUTES TO BRAVE SOLDIER
Former Congressman John p. Fnerty
Sounds the Praises Of "Meagher
Of the SWord'-The Statue.

Sounds the Praises Of "Meagher
Of the sword''-The Statue.
Helena, Mont, July 4.-Montana
paid tribute today to the memory of
General Thomas Francis Meagher in
a manner most befitting his station in
the early life of the territory, when
in the presence of vast multitude
in the state house grounds, Miss An
astasia O'Meara, the 13-year-old daugh-
ter of ]. ]. O'Meara of Butte, pulled
the cord which released to public gaze
the immense equestrian bronze statue
of the famous soldier-orator. The day
was ideal and an immense crowd at
tended the unveiling. The parade
reached the court house at 2:15.
The occasion was made the local
motive of a general Fourth of July
celebration, yet the ceremonies at the
capitol so far outshone the other
events of the day as to completely
eclipse them, and the name of the
soldier was on every lip and uppermost
in the minds of all.
The ceremonies were opened with
prayer shortly after 2 o'clock, follSw-
ing which Mayor R. R. Purcell, as
vice chairman, introduced as chair.
man Lieutenant Governor Norris, who,
in a few we'll chosen words, called the
vast assemblage to order. Patriotic
music was then rendered by the State
Capiol band, after which James j.
Lynch, as president of the Thomas
Francis Meagher Memorial assocla-
ton, presented the statue to the state,
which was accepted by Governor
Toole. A telegram was read from
Mrs. Meagher sending greetings.
p. D. Weed read the Declaration
of independence. Enthusiastic cheers
greeted the unveiling by Miss O'Mea-
ra.
The presence of William Burns, the
sole survivor of Meagher's regiment,
was announced.
Three volleys were fred by the
Twenty-fourth infantry and company
2. Montana national guard, after
which former Congressman Jonn r
Finerty, of Chicago, was INTRODUCED
by Governor Toole as the orator OF
the day. The eminent irish orator
was in very happy mood and IN
clear, ringing tones, he sonnoeo tne
nraises of Meagher. His remarks we're
frequently interspersed with applause.
Benediction was then pronounced
and the crowd departed.
Is a Masterpiece.
The statue of General Meagher ls
the work of Sculptor Mulligan, OF Chi
cago. and is regarded as master
piece. Especially pleasing to person
al friends of the dead general Is the
accurate likness of the face and bear.
ing of the body, which are pronounced
decidedly realistic. >
The statue is made of bronze, is
about twice life-size weighing about
uye tons and cost in the vicinity OF
$4,000 The general sits astrlde a
charger. which is represented as NOV
ing up a slight grade.
Beneath the horses feet lies dis
mantled cannon, with broken carriage
wheel and ramrod as though they
had been disabled by shell and were
being trampled upon by the morse.
General Meagher sits upon the steed
with reins in left hand. while in the
right is an uplifted sword. the idea
being meant to portray his noDle
charge at the battle of Frederlcks'
burg, where he led the Irish brigade
against the almost impregnable posi-.
tion of the confederate army.
On the sides of the granite base are
inscriptions from his noted tribute to
the sword, as we'll as extracts from
other notable addresses delivered py
him in Ireland, New York and Mon.
tana. There are also two biographl'
cal tablets, all being done in bronze
and screwed upon the sides or the
graite rest for the statue proper.
Montana is the first state in the Un
ion to honor General Meagher with a
statue, and the unveiling of this marx
of respect and honor, means the com
pletion of an heroic task upon the par'
of members of the memorial assocla
ton which for several years has hao
the matter in hand.
A sketch of the man who so alp
peals to Montanans is not inapproprl
ate. He was born at Waterford, Ire
land, in 1923, and educated at the Je
suit college in Clongowes and a
Stonyhurst college in Lancashire
Along with a number of highly edu
Gated Irishmen, he became member
of the Irish Confederation ,and at The
outbreak of the rFench revolution ir
1S43, he was sent, as the most talent
ed member of the society. to Pari.
to congratulate the Republican lead
ers.
For this he was arrested on charge
of sedition and sentenced to be strip
ped and quartered, but this was late
committed to banishment for life, ant
he was sent to Tasmania. He escaped
and reached New York in 1856, WHERE
he began the practice of law and es
tablished the Irish News"
At the outbreak of the Civil wa
he organized a band of zouaves. which
became a part of the Sixty-ninth New
York volunteers. This regiment paI
ticipated in the first battle OF Bul
Run, during which Meagher acted
major.
Serving the three months for whicl
he had enlisted under President Liz
coin, he returned to New York and o.
ganized what was known as the Iris
brigade. Meagher being commission
ed as q brigadieF general IN Febrt