New Britain herald., 1927-07-11
Dublin in Mourning

Dublin in Mourning
Dublin, Ireland, July II Rl-Signs
OF mourning prevailed everywhere
today for Mr.. O'Higgins, the strong
man" of the Irish Free State, who
was shot to death by three assassins
yesterday. He was shot from-an au-
tomobile as he was walking to mass
= from his home at Black Rock, near
Z. Dublin. and died within a short
time with words of forgiveness for
his enemies on his lips. He was 81
Y years old.
/ Mr.. O'Higgins, usually accom-
y panied by an escort of detectives
was alone, at his own request, for
%the first time in three years. His
assailants escaped after inflicting
4 half a dozen wounds.
Describes Assailants
Not a clue as to their identity or
the motive has been learned. but the
dying man, retaining consciousness
almost to the end, was able to give
the authorities a fairly good descrip-
ton of the men.
When O'Higgins. who was vice
president of the Free State council.
minister OF justice and foreign af-
fairs. fell with bullets through his
neck. one through the chest and an
(; other through the ear he gasped Il
s forgive them ALL
a FOrgives His Slayers
! canon Fleming, Of the ministry
I 6r'fisa nee, and Professor John Mac
n Neill, former minister of education.
/. we're In the neighborhood and were
Z soon on the scene. AS the wounded
man rested his head in the lap of
Fleming, he whispered They've got
me, Just as they got my father"
Later he said: Il forgive them. 1
die at peace with my enemies and
my God" Calmly and decisively he
dictated his will, bequeathing all his
possessions to his wife and baby
daughter. ,.-. -.
This took place within a few
| minutes, after which he was taken
to his home. Dublins best surgeons
iwere unable to aid. He knew he
was dying. He embraced his wife
and child. said farewell to friends
..cause, and succumbed.
His Last Farewell
~ Shortly before the end. he raised
himself from his pillow to say: Il
am dying at peace with my enemies.
die for my country. I go to join
Michael Collins"
One of the friends at the bedside
remarked: "Kevin. while there's
life, there's hope"
''Ah there is no hope" he answer
ed, ''but was always bit of die
hard"
Cabinet Is Called
The Free State cabinet was called
into session Immediately to decide
on the necessary steps in what is
looked upon as serious situation.
for the slain official was regarded
as bulwark of the Free State
cause. He had only returned to
Dublin last Friday from a League
of Nations conference at Geneva. He
had conducted a vigorous country
wide campaign in behalf Of the gov
ernmeHt candidates in the recent
~ pol SASSeA0's
II At one time OHiggins was a
staunch supporter Of canon De Va
lera, the republican leader. and dur
ing the disorders before the sign
ing of the treaty creating the Free
State. he was arrested and placed in
Jail in Belfast. When the treaty
was promulgated. however, he be-
vi FOR tho E>rQa
State and was made minister of JUS
tice in 1922. Shortly afterwards, his
father was shot dead bysarmed raid
ers in his own home.
Denounced De Valera
He had a clearly defined antago-
nism toward the republicans since
Free State was organized, and his
political speeches were sharp denun-
Citations of the De Valera party. Con-
sequently he had made enemies and
for this reason was provided with
police protection.
President Cosgrove, in statement
announcing the assassination of Mr..
O'Higgins, said:
Glowing Tribute
heNln " f1lSSlIS, III HIS uiuAt~
less courage and unflinching deter
mination,' he added, has trodden
the path blazed by Michael Collins
and Arthur Griffith even until death.
Another great defender of the ma
ton has passed away.
The Irish people may rest assur-
ed that the assassin's bullet will not
succeed in terrorizing this country.
There are and will be men enheart-
ened by the noble example of the
late president, and. profiting by
his labors, ready to step into his
place and maintain his high tradi-
ton of devotion to the welfare and
safety Of the nation
Other Assassinations
The assassination served to bring
TO the minds of the Irish peoples
series of similar crimes some years
ago that resulted in the death of Mi
chael Collins, General Sir Henry
Wilson, Thomas MacCurtain and
many others.
Regrets In London
yo,>J1p J,,1,,