The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1906-03-28
FORTY YEARS AGO.
Excerpts Taken from St. Paul Papers of
Forty Years Ago.

St. Patrick's day, 1866, will long
be remembered by the people of
this city. The day was bright and
sunny with just enough frost in the
air to make marching luxury. At
9 o'clock the court house square
was thronged with Irishmen. The
Great Western band entertained the
gathering with Irish national airs.
Upon being organized the process
sion headed for the Cathedral,
where high mass was celebrated by
Bishop Grace, assisted by Fathers
Ireland, Oster, Caillet and Ravoux
Rev. Father McDermott of St. Ar
thony preached the sermon.
Bishop Grace's address was an
eloquent one, and delivered in his
ablest style. He spoke of the Fenian
movement in the most direct and
unmistabable terms. He discoun-
tenanced the movement as an arrant
humbug, originating with unprin-
cipled men with lunatic, some
one had said), whose only object
was their own self interest, which
was to be subserved at the expense
of their honest, patriotic, generous
countrymen. 1t had sprung Up
mysteriously but few months ago,
and is still involved in mystery, and
was based upon the credulity of
/ Irishmen, who often acted first and
reflected afterwards. All attempts
to carry out the plans of its leaders
would end in disaster to those en-
gagged in it, and it had already
Injured the innocent in Ireland,
whose expressions had recently been
increased in consequence. In thirty
days the bubble will burst. After
the bishops address the procession
disbanded.
Rev. Father Ireland, in his address
also alluded to the Fenian move
ment. 1t was with the deepest re-
greet that he could not speak approx
ingly of it, and yet he was 10th to
condemn it if he could see a shadow
! of success. The duty of the Irish
men of St. Paul was to wait. Ac-
ton now could produce no good.
The organization itself was divided
one day the agent of one party
made his appearance, and the next
day the agent of another. Give us
a glimpse of success, and in one
night the Irishmen Of St. Paul
would do more for the relief of
Ireland than could be done now in
twelve months.
The business portion of Mime
apolis was almost completely wiped
out by a fierce conhagration last
night At 1920 o'clock fire was
discovered in the dry goods store
of ]. ]. Couchman, on the east side
of Bridge street by Officer Col
baugh. No water was at hand.
/ Citizens rushed to his aid and began
carrying out armfuls of stock, but
the fierce heat soon put a stop to
! this. Efforts were then directed to
the adjoining stores.
Anthony Kelly's grocery, the last
store below the fire, and on the
corner of Bridge and First streets,
was soon cleared of it's contents on
the first floor, but the flames were
too rapid, and this was also aban-
doned The flames now advanced
their left wing around First street,
and, having its center in the blaz-
ing pile, where it begun its ravages,
hurting its right wing up Bridge
street, toward the long line Of
wooden structures, which occupied
the front lots of the remainder of
the block. The crescent of fire was
now complete. The biting wind
blowing briskly from the northwest,
carried millions of glowing cinders
far up into the black midnight sky.
The market place was soon filled up
with merchandise of every descrip-
ton.
Strong ropes were procured and
stout men pulled with all their
strength, in hope that by demolish-
ing some buildings the remainder