The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1905-01-07
THE CIVIL WAR
Did One Man Make it Possible
for Federal Navyto
Capture 40 Ships Intended for
Confederate Navy?

Embodying plea to the effect that
Michael CARNEY, who kept lodging
house in Glasgow, Scotland, was in
strumental in helping to terminate the
civil war and that his estate should
therefore be reimbursed to the extent
of $4,000, bill introduced into Con-
gress by Congressman George D. Nc
Creary, Dec. 8, revealed a story so
much like fiction as to be almost in
credible, says the Philadelphia In
quirer.
Congressman McGreary acted on be-
half Of Mrs. Mary Carney, now an
aged woman, who resides at 56O7 De-
Won street. During Grover Cleveland's
administration as president the wom-
ans petition for payment for the serv-
ices Of her husband was acted upon
favorably by then Secretary Of State
Olney.
1t developed at that time, however,
that there were no funds available for
the purpose. Senator Penrose became
interested in the case, and last Jan
uary presented bill for action by the
Senate. Then, before the contents Of
the petition had been passed upon by
this body, it was decided it would be
better to have Congress consider the
appeal.
None of the politicians interested in
Mrs. Cairneys case seems 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 almost all Scotland felt a personal
pride in the fact that shipyard on
the Clyde river had contracted to build
cruisers for the southern government.
During the years 1861 to 1865, exact
ly forty-1ve ships were turned out by
the Scotland contractors. and these
were sent to the Confederate leaders.
Five reached their destination in good
condition. 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
the Confederates were learned on every
occasion, were things which bafled not
only Southerners themselves, but the
Scotland shipyard.
In presenting her claim for $4,000
"for services rendered the United
States government during the civil
war;" Mrs. Carney gives what she
claims is the true explanation of the
mystery. She declares that her hus-
band, Michael Carney, acted as agent
for the Union, and furnished President
Lincoln with information that led to
the capture of forty out of the forty
five ships built by the Scotland ship
yard.
While Carney was alive he made
frequent efforts to have his claim
against the government recognized.
He sent number of letters to this
country, but the authorities were I'M
able to adjust the matter He died a
short time ago in poverty. Mrs. Carr
ney sold the few effects of her 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 this city, and
asked him to act as her attorney, and
see what he could do to have her claim
recognized. Attorney Doyle managed
to interest Senator Penrose and Con-
gresham McCreary and they are now
endeavoring to get an appropriation
sufficient to satisfy the woman's claim.