The Irish standard., 1905-01-28

The disappearance of Owen Kelly of
Philadelphia from his home city last
October is as much a mystery today as
it was when his relatives let it be
known that he had suddenly dropped
out of sight, says the New York Sun.
The case has several remarkable fea
lures. 1t has already been instru-
mental in putting Gessler Rosseau.
the bluffing dynamiter, in Jail.
Kelly's disappearance resembles in
some respects the DR.. Cronin conspir
acy. in Chicago. Like DR.. Cronin, the
Philadelphia man occupied a promi-
nent place in the councils of the Irish
societies of Philadelphia. His rela-
tives think he has been done away
with by Irish agitators just as DR..
Cronin was.
Thousands of dollars have been
spent in trying to find Kelly, and the
police in hundreds of cities are on the
lookout for him. Canadian and Irish
papers have been used to help in the
search, but without result. His pic
ture, printed here. the only photograph
Kelly ever had taken, has been sent
broadcast. 1t was taken some years
ago, but it is still good likeness Of
him.
While Kelly's relatives think he has
met with foul play, many of his
friends think lie is alive and well and
will appear in his own good time. His
friends are inclined to think that he
went off on spree after a life Of So
briefly and strict attention to business.
Because of the hubbub that has been
raised over his disappearance they
think he is keeping under cover until
the fuss blows over.
Kelly was born in Ireland 55 years
ago. He came to this country when a
young man and settled in Philadelphia.
He has lived there for thirty-five
years. He worked for others for ten
years and by that time had accumu-
lated enough money to start in the
grocery business for himself.
He kept one Of the old-fashioned cor.
ner grocery stores, sold only the best
goods, attended to business and pros.
pered. There were no frills about the
place and there are none today. 1t is
an ordinary corner grocery, but it has
always been moneymaker.
Kelly spent most of his time at the
grocery until other business affairs be-
gan to demand his attention. Even
then he went to the grocery daily and
saw that it was kept running smoothly
In fact, he paid more attention to this
store than he did to any of his bust
ness enterprises. He made his home
in the Eagle Hotel, block away from
the grocery.
Kelly took great interest in the af
fairs of his church. His was man OF
exemplary habits. His relatives say
they never knew him to smoke or take
drink. Early in life he Joined the
total abstinence union connected with
his church, and when he vanished he
was the president Of the organization
Besides his interest in the church
Kelly early became affiliated with the
Irish societies of Philadelphia. He
was a member Of the Ancient Order
of Hibernians and of the Clan-na-Gael
He was great champion of ireland
and advocate of her freedom. AL
Irishmen don't believe in trying fol
freedom by peaceful means. What
ever Kelly's views on the ways and
means to obtain freedom were, be
came out in favor Of parliamentary
agitation when John Redmond, the
Irish leader, and other delegates visit
ed this country last year.
Mr.. Redmond visited Philadelphia or
his tour, collecting money for the 1risf
cause, and Owen Kelly was member
of the reception committee that greet
ed him aud his party. The Irishmer
of Philadelphia raised $4,000 for Red
mond and the Irish cause, and Kelly
was largely instrumental in getting
this amount He struck up a warm
friendship with Redmond, and If Kelly
held radical views on the subject o1