New Britain herald., 1923-05-22
Man, Whose Death Was Jud;eially Declared by Probate Court Returns Suddenly to Home in New Britain
Laughs When "Herald' Man Calls to Talk About His "Demise" Has Been in Several Countries in Past 21 Years.

After riding sh miles over noun
 tainous trails and stony paths on the
 back Of q mining burro similar dis
 iarce in m automobile coach serving
 districts into which railroads have mol
 yet entered, and crossing the entire
 breadth Of the continent in railroad coaches covering a period Of seven
 days, much Of which. for lack Of time to make better arrangements he spent in ordinary coaches without sleeper conveniences, Patrick r, Kelley, who last week was declared by the probate court 10 be "judicially dead" arrived in the city last night after an absence Of q years.
 Mir. Kelley is at his home on Myrtle street today receiving his many friends. He is a middle aged man. hut with the bearing and apparent vitality of a man score of years his junior The tiresome trip across the continent did not affect in any de- gree his health or spirit since his goal was a most important one--arrival in this city in time to have the probate court proceedings quashed.
 When n representative of the Herald" visited the Kelley home this afternoon he was welcomed by the hospitable Mr. Kelley who laughed heartily when the newspaperman commented upon the distinction he enjoyed in shaking the hand of n dead man.
 Mir. Kelley left New Britain fin Au- gust 1902 going to the far west where he engaged in the mining business. He has been successful and still has interests both in this country and in Mexico. For a number of years he has been stationed at Insatico. Mexico, where he first received news Of the litigation in which members of his family were principals and in which tn point in question was his existence. Tmm ediately upon being Informed by his sons and daughter who opposed | a petition by other members of the family that he be declared 'iudicially | dead" and an administrator of his es- tate be named, Mir. Kelley made ar to come eastward. Several days were necessitated in which to arrange for the care of his business, and then he began his long trip.
 Invited Recognition.
 Arriving in New York city yester- day afternoon, Mir. Kelly hurried in the direction of his home city. He arrived early last evening and saun- tered down the railroad arcade in the direction of Main street. Arriv- Ing at the main thoroughfare. he touched a match to n cigar and et nF ba ,,il l1or of he arcade for about half an hour the passing pedestrians and if any one of his old friends passing by would recognize ,im Many passed and casually glanced at him. but no one recog- 1zed him as r. r. Kelley for many -ears one of the city's leading husi- ,essmen. When his sons and daugh- CTS arrived to escort him to his old ,ome he was immediately recognized ind from that minute on he has ,rasped the hand of hundreds of ' riends who welcomed him back to he city.
 Silent On Own Affairs. Other than to discuss the scenic | eauty and the opportunities of the V reat west and to marvel at the many | nd progressive changes that he otices on his several trips to his [ omesnd, Ireland. Mir. Kelley de- g lined to discuss his own case at ,ngth.
 He left New Britain in August, 1909, r nd during the 21 years that have a apsed he has been in and toiled in n ractically every state in the union a Id in several foreign countries, he il ys, He has made several trips to eland where he traversed the coun- F y from north to south and from east o west N Mir. Kelley is a native of Ireland to Id Is actively interested in that o' untry's affairs. On his last trip to p' e Emerald Isle, which was about 70 years ago. he was greatly pleased u' find that in city and farm alike, eat Improvements had taken place. r, 3 also finds that Americans are "as i'' slcome as the flowers in May" he " " marked u'
 Irish Turmoil Exaggerated e. Regarding 1relands political situa- ' m, he spoke interestingly That A.. wspaper accounts of strife in Ireland ,,- We been greatly exaggerated is the ,h lief of the former merchant who md that the new government finds ,,o TOT with all save a small numb Der or families, he said. He feels that in oh ne the country's domestic difficult Ie 5 will all be ironed out. tb, MT. Kelley will remain in this city Fl a short time and will then make cel rip to Argentine where he has w, ming interests which he will liqui- if. .e. He plans then to return to ou V Britain where he will settle hir vn. apt )n Saturday of this week. the Kel- the family is planning to hold a re- cla or at which relatives from New for
 stiI