The Irish standard., 1905-07-15
in HIS MEMORY
Heroic Equestrian Statue to
Gen. 7. F. HsagheP.
Unveiled at Helena Before q
Multitude Of People.

All Montana, on Independence day,
paid tribute to the memory of Thomas
Francis Meagher, soldier, pioneer and
orator, through the unveiling of an
equestrian statue at the capitol
grounds at Helena. The event will
long be remembered, accompanied as
1t was by a. most elaborate program
carried out in detail and not marred
in the least by any untoward happening,
says the Butte Daily Miner of the 5th.
Long before the hour set for the cere-
mony, people began to gather at the
statehouse and by the time the parade
arrived from the city proper the beau
tiful lawns were fairly black with
people. 1t was two o'clock when the
parade, which had formed at the
courthouse, and which consisted Of
Spanish and civil war veterans, both
blue and gray, three companies of the
Twentieth-fourth regulars, Company
B of the Montana National guard, the
civil societies of the city, as we'll as
the guests of The day and civilians on
horseback, in carriages and autos,
headed by Marshal of the Day Chas
ID. Curtis, arrived at the capitol.
Mayor r. R. Purcell, in a few we'll
chosen words, stated the purpose Of
tho oothoripo oprJ ;rtroduoo.a r io,,to,,
ant-Governor Edwin Norris as per.
manent chairman. Mr.. Norris re-
sponded briefly, paying a glowing trib.
ute to the Irish race as lovers of lib
erty, and citing Meagher as one of it's
illustrious examples.
The Reverend l.. B. Palladino, a
personal acquaintance of the dead
general, was introduced, and deliver.
ed an invocation. His supplication
was a most feeling one.
Then came most inspiring occa-
sion, the band rendering the Star
Spangled Banner" the audience join
ing in with the words, after which E..
d. Weed was introduced. Mr.. Weed
was in fine voice, and his reading of
the Declaration of Independence was
interspersed with vociferous applause.
James H. Lynch, of Butte, presi.
dent of the Thomas Francis Meagher
Memorial association, was next intro
duced and in behalf of the association
presented the monument to the state.
He also read telegram from Mrs.
Eliza Meagher, supplementary to a
letter recently received here, express
ing her regret at her inability to be
present today because of illness. The
I, telegram follows:
Rye, N. Y. July 4.
"Meagher Memorial Association, Hele-
| ma, Greeting:
"To Association and Orator: Am
with you in spirit"
Then followed the unveiling of the
statue by Miss Anastasia O'Meara,
the fourteen-year-old daughter of ]. ].
OMeara, of Butte, a member of the
executive committee of the Memorial
association. The figure had been
draped in the national colors, and
when Miss O'Meara, standing imme-
diately in front of the heroic figure,
with beautiful bouquet in one hand,
pulled the cord with the other, which
exposed to public gaze the equestrian
statue, a great cheer went up. Then,
as this subsidized, three cheers in uni
son and a tiger was given. Then fol,
lowed a salute by the three companies
of the Twenty-fourth regiment and
Company B, of the National guard.
Three volleys were fired by each com.
pany, which was followed by an "Irish
Medley" by the band, which was
stationed on the speakers stand.
Then followed an address of accept.
ance of the statue by Governor Toole.
James H. Lynch, presenting the
statue in behalf of the Meagher Me-
mortal association, said:
"Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentle,
men:
Governor Toole, give to this fair
state of Montana on behalf of the
Meagher Memorial association, OF
which I have the honor to be presi.
dent, this beautiful statue, represent.
ing, as it does one of Montana's most
worthy and respected citizens during
his life, the Honorable Thomas Fran.
els Meagher. hope that you will &C
cept the same on behalf of the state
from the great part of it's citizens who
have so literally contributed to Its
erection.
Before closing, l wish to read to
this audience telegram from Mrs
General Meagher, who in long letter
Of few days ago regretted very much
her inability to be here, on account ot
old age and infirmity. At this time
she says:
"'Rye, N. Y, July 4, 19O5.-Greetine
i to the association and orator. I an
with you in spirit.
"'MRS. ELIZABETH MEAGHER.'
Governor Toole, now present tt
you this beautiful statue on behalf o
the Meagher Memorial association o
Montana"
Governor Toole, in accepting the