The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-08-07
COL. 0'REILLY
Died AT
ARNOLD INN

The first Irlsh-American TO be admitted
10 the Rhode Island bar and a prominent
figure in Democratic politics several
years ago Colonel Francis l.. oReilly
foSner collector OF customs OF the Port
OF Providence. who never wholly recov-
cred from the shock OF the tragic death
OF his wife and children who were drown
ed In Nova Scotia last summer succumb-
ed 10 uraemic poisoning at Ye Arnold
Inn, his home. at North Smithfeld Satur-
day night, just a day after the ami
versary OF the blow which bereft him OF
loved ones. Former Deputy Collector
Thomas A. Cavanaugh OF Woonsocket
was with his former chief until the last
and took charge of the arrangements for
tho funeral.
The colonel had been I'll for weeks this
spring and after a trip 20 Block Island
from which he returned two weeks ego,
took his bed and steadily failed, convul-
sions selling him about 8 o'clock or lit
tie later.
Colonel O'Reilly was prominent in the
progress OF Wconsocket. and was one Of
the men instrumental in building the
woonsocket Water Works and the Woon-
socket opera House, and in starting the
Woonsocket Street railway.
He was an active participant In Demo
cratic State conventions and took pride
I'm the fact that he was delegate 10 the
convention that nominated Grover Cleve-
land for president
Francis L. OReilly, born In Ulster
County Cavan, Ire, June "A, 1874, was
descendant Of a long line OF Irish pa
triots. His fathers name was Philip
O'Reilly and his mothers name was Nc
Entee He was educated under private
tutorship until he was II years old, when
his father died.
on leaving Ireland he came TO this city
and later went 10 Cincinnati and en-
gagged shortly after in the dramatic pro-
fession for four years.
After three years law study he was
admitted 10 the Rhode Island bar in 1870
and Immediately commenced practice IN
Woonsocket and for S years was one OF
that citys leading lawyers.
In 1894 he became collector OF the port
OF Providence and had that position for
four years under appointment by Presi-
dent Cleveland He represented Woon-
socket in the legislature IN 1879 and 1880,
and he had served as chairman OF the
Democratic state central committee.
He served as town solicitor Of Woon-
socket, and he commanded a military
company in Woonsocket and in 1874 was
commissioned lieutenant colonel OF the
Rhode Island Guards.
He married Jan. !, 1873, Mary -, oau3 n
ter OF Michael Butler OF Newport His
wife died July %, 1891, leaving daugh-
ter, Irene and a son, Frank. About IL
years ago Colonel OReilly took as his
second wife Margaret Riley Mowry,
widow OF Albert Mowry. OF this union
two children, Esmond B. ORdlly and
Arthur D. O'Reilly, were born. These two
were among the victims OF the drowning
tragedy last August near Digby.
He leaves two children, Irene, who made
her home with her father at Ye Arnold
Inn. North Smithhed, and Frank, now
In Newport.
In 1883. Colonel O'Reilly's sisters, Ann
and Margaret OF Woonsocket, while driv-
ing from Blackstone, near St Charles
cemetery irr East Blackstone district,
were struck by a New York and New
| England train and were instantly killed.
While II was known that Colonel O'Reil-
| ly was i'll, his death at this time was not
expected His demise is the third sud
| den death In Woonsocket during the
week. Wednesday. John Mulvey drop
| ped dead. and on Thursday Thomas j.
! North. son of Representative North, was
| drowned.
Mr.. Cavanaugh announced this morn
| ing that the funeral would be Wednes-
| day morning at the Sacred Heart church.
woonsocket. where an anniversary mass
was celebrated only last Thursday for
| Mrs OReilly. her children, her sister and
| the latter's child.