HIBERNIANS ARE CALLED TO ORDER IN STATE CONVENTION

# HIBERNIANS ARE CALLED TO ORDER IN STATE CONVENTION *The Daily Missoulian, Missoula, Friday, August 26, 1904, p. 2, cols. 1-3.* Fully 100 delegates, representing every division in the state, are attending the grand lodge of the Ancient Order of HiberniansIrish societiesAncient Order of Hiberniansin America from 1836The largest Irish Catholic fraternal order in America: sick and death benefits for members, St. Patrick’s Day parades, and steady support for Irish nationalism.More in Key terms →, which convened in this city yesterday morning. This is the eleventh biennial session and a number of matters of importance to the order are under consideration. The meeting was called to order at 9:30 and immediately thereafter the delegates marched to St. Patrick's church in a body, where high mass was celebrated by Rev. Father De Thoor, who preached an eloquent and impressive sermon. Immediately after the conclusion of the services at the church the delegates again assembled at the meeting place in the Union theatre, where the business of the session was begun in earnest. ## President's Report Read. The first on the program was the address of D. J. Hennessy of Butte, state president of the organization. The paper, which also embraced the report of the condition of the order, was an interesting one, and showed, among other things, that the membership of the organization had doubled during the past two years, at present having a membership of 3,154. During the time that had elapsed since the meeting in reat [sic] Falls, two years ago, $2,854 has been expended in charitable work, $1,000 of this amount being donated to the Orphans' Home at Helena. One new county—Chouteau—has been organized during the past two years, a strong division having been established at Havre. There was the greatest increase in membership in Silver Bow county, 700 new members being added during the last two years. Division No. 1, in Silver Bow county, has the largest membership of any division in the United States, numbering 595. There are three divisions in Silver Bow, all of them having a most healthy membership. Following the president's address came the regular routine business. After the various committees were appointed, the report of the secretary and other officers were read. The treasurer's report showed that the organization was in a healthy condition. The business session lasted from 11 o'clock until 3 p. m., when an adjournment was taken to allow the different committees to prepare their reports. ## Will Add Insurance. In all probability the plan of adding an insurance feature to the work of the organization in Montana will be one of the most important matters to come before the meeting, and the committee which has the matter under consideration has been granted until 9 o'clock in the morning to report. This is a feature which is controlled by the states throughout the union, each state division making its own laws on the subject. Throughout Montana there are at least 1,000 members of the A. O. H. who have their affiliation with eastern lodges in states possessing the insurance feature. Rather than lose this insurance they have kept their membership in these lodges and have not joined the Montana organization, although affiliating with them. For the purpose of securing the membership of this large body of Hibernians whose insurance could be transferred, as well as adding greater inducements for new membership, the insurance feature has many warm supporters among the rank and file, as well as the officers of the Hibernian society. ## Anaconda Next Meeting Place. Already there is some talk of the officers which are to be elected this afternoon. It is practically conceded that Anaconda will be the next meeting place. It has been the policy of the organization to take turns in distributing the meeting places to the cities of the state which maintain divisions of the A. O. H. This year it is Anaconda's turn, and there seems to be no opposition to choosing the Smelter City as the meeting place for 1906. D. J. Hennessy, it is stated, will positively not be a candida[te] for re-election as president. As his successor the name of Jerry J. Ryan, one of the best known attorneys of Butte, is prominently mentioned. For vice-president. Attorney E. C. Mulroney of this city has many friends and supporters among the delegates, and it is more than probable that he will be the one chosen. J. J. O'Mahoney of Great Falls will probably be re-elected as treasurer, and John J. Clark of Helena will likely be re-elected as treasurer by acclamation. Either Father McCormick of Great Falls, or Father Callahan of Butte, will be chosen grand chaplain. When the convention reassembled at 3 o'clock the committees that were ready made their reports. The committees on by-laws and insurance were not ready and were given until 9 o'clock this morning to finish their work. The committee on resolutions, one of the most important committees, reported as follows, the report being adopted: ## Resolutions Adopted. To the members of the Eleventh Biennial State Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians Assembled— Gentlemen and Brothers—Your committee on resolutions beg leave to submit the following: Resolved, That the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Montana in convention tion [sic] assembled congratulate the order for the decided progress it has made during the past two years, and particularly the state officers, to whom the credit for for [sic] the increased membership is largely due. Resolved, That the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Montana renews its loyalty and unswerving devotion to the free institutions of this country and state. Resolved, That we commend the effort now being made to introduce the study of Irish history in our parochial schools, and also the work of extending and perpetuating the Gaelic language. Resolved, That we greatly appreciate and heartily commend the noble work that the Thomas Francis Meagher Memorial association has accomplished in the matter of the erection of a monument to the memory of that illustrious patriot and distinguished soldier, Thomas Francis Meagher, and we hereby pledge our undivided support to the successful termination of the laudable work in which the said association is now engaged. ## Ireland's Independence Near. Resolved, That as a society composed of Irishmen and descendants of Irishmen, the A. O. H. of Montana rejoice in the union of our race in all parts of the world, and hope for and predict the ultimate and complete independence of Ireland in the immediate future. Resolved, That we congratulate the people of Ireland and their sterling supporters the world over for the marked advancement they have thus far attained in becoming individual owners in fee in their respective farms and we herein further extend to the Irish parliamentary partyIreland: movements, law & landIrish Parliamentary PartyThe Home Rule party at Westminster, led by Charles Stewart Parnell in the 1880s and by John Redmond from 1900 until his death in 1918; Sinn Féin swept the party away at that December’s election.More in Key terms → our sincere gratitude for their efficient assistance in bringing about more equitable legislation for their native land. Resolved, That we view with a deep sense of pleasure the splendid progress of the movement that is now being conducted in the land of our fathers to preserve and perpetuate their native tongue and literature. Resolved, That this convention extends its hearty thanks to Mayor M. R. C. Smith and other city officials and the citizens of Missoula for the courteous and generous treatment accorded us. Resolved, That we recognize a debt of gratitude which we owe the members of Division No. 1, A. O. H. and the ladies' auxiliaryIrish societiesDaughters of Erin / Ladies’ Auxiliaryfrom 1894The women’s side of Hibernian life. The AOH’s national women’s body was organised in 1894 as the Daughters of Erin and later took the name Ladies’ Auxiliary.More in Key terms → of Missoula for the clever entertainment provided during our stay in their beautiful and prosperous city. Resolved, That we appreciate the association of our sister order, the ladies auxiliary and thank them for the many manifestations of interest in our order, and pledge to them our support whenever and wherever needed. Resolved, That we tender special thanks to our able and energetic state president, D. J. Hennessy, for his untiring and unselfish efforts in behalf of our organization, which in this state owes him an undying debt of gratitude. Resolved, That the press of the state, and particularly that of Missoula, has been generous in the publication of matter in connection with this convention, and we now desire to thank them therefor. Respectfully submitted, WILLIAM K. DWYER, Chairman. M. DONLIN, WILLIAM J. KELLHER, J. P. REGAN, T. J. KELLEY, JOHN J. DOOLEY. JAMES McKELVEY, E. C. MULRONEY. ## Social Events in Evening. The evening session was given over to social enjoyment. At the Greenough pavilion a reception was held and refreshments served. Afterward there was a dance at which the members of the A. O. H. and the ladies' auxiliary were the guests of hon[o?]r. This was one of the most pleasing events which has taken place in Missoula in many months. The Esmay orchestra was in attendance and the event was thoroughly enjoyable, the mem[b?]ers of the local orders vieing with one another in showing every courtesy and attention to the guests. Free transportation was provided by the local order from the hotels to the pavilion and return and if there was anything overlooked that would add comfort to the visit of the delegates, it was the veriest of oversights. ## The Ladies' Auxiliary. The ladies' auxiliary of the order was in simultaneous session in ElksFraternal & benefit ordersBenevolent and Protective Order of Elksfounded 1868Social and charitable fraternal order founded in New York.More in Key terms →' hall throughout all of yesterday. State President Mrs. J. D. Murphy of Helena presided at the meeting, all of the other grand officers being present. The day was consumed by the reading of reports of officers and in attending to the preliminary work of the organization. The insurance feature is another matter which is receiving attention from the auxiliary order and it is thought that it is likely to be reported favorably by the committee this morning. In all probability all of the present officers will be re-elected. ## Ladies in Attendance. The delegates in attendance of the meeting are as follows: State President Mrs. D. J. Murphy, State Vice President Mrs. T. H. Sealey, State Secretary Mrs. Mary Brennan, State Treasurer Mrs. J. C. Murray. From Division No. 1 of Silver Bow—Mrs. Kate Murphy, Mrs. Margaret Connell, Miss B. Leary, Miss Josie Humgton, Miss Lizzie Fitzerald [sic], Mrs. Mary Callahan, Mrs. Mary Sullivan, Mrs. Jane Reynolds. Division No. 5, of Silver Bow—Agnes Attridge, Mary Hamgten, Mary Mannix, Margaret Gil[l?]ick, Bridget Gillick, Bridget Cummings. Division No. 3, of Silver Bow—Margaret Gibbons, Mary Keating, Miss Nan Ryan, Miss Bridget Shea, Mrs. Margaret O'Donnell. Division No. 4, of Silver Bow—Mrs. Nora Rowan, Mrs. Margaret Greeley, Mrs. Kate Earlis, Miss Martha Shephard, Mary Page. Division No. 1, of Deer Lodge—Mrs. B. Greenan, Miss A. Mahoney, Miss M. Bennett, Mrs. B. Kelliher. Division No. 1, of Lewis and Clarke—Mrs. J. O. Murray, Mrs. Walsh, Miss Piercey, Mrs. A. C. Griffin. Division No. 1, of Missoula—Mrs. Mary Quinn, Mrs. Ella Farley, Mrs. Kennedy, Mrs. McBride, Mrs. Larey. The ex-presidents in attendance are Mrs. Kate Norris and Mrs. Bridget Leary, Mrs. Leahy, Miss McCormick, Mrs. Lappin and Miss Walsh. ## Hibernian Delegates Present. State President D. J. Hennessy, State Vice-President William Kelliher, State Secretary John J. Clarke, State Treasurer J. J. O'Mahoney, State Chaplain Rev. Thomas McCormick. ## Lewis and Clarke County. John J. McMullan, county president; Raymond T. O'Donnell, Andrew Mularkey, Andrew H. McConnell, James P .Graney, Martin Mulverhill, James McKelvey. ## Division No. 1, Silver Bow County. J. K. O'Rourke, Jeremiah J. Lynch, Jerry D. Murphy, James . McCarthy, alternate; P. . Sullivan, Timothy J. McCarthy, John J. O'Meara, P. G. Sullivan, Patrick Colligan, Thomas O'Neill, John T. O'Brien, alternate; John Fox, Dennis O'Neill, William K. Dwyer, Joseph R. Jackson, Con G. Maher. ## Division No. 2 Silver Bow County. John Ferns, Mike M. Donlin, James Britt, John A. Coleman, P. F. Regan, J. M. Brown, Thomas Jordan, alternate. ## Division No. 3, Silver Bow County. P. J. Kelley, W. E. Rowan, John J. Conway, William Higgins, James Cronan, M. J. Kelliher, Joseph Erls. ## Division No. 1, Deer Lodge County. Owen O'Neil, Thomas Kelley, John Gibbons, M. J. Cannon, M. B. McNally, Thomas Reilly, John Coffey. ## Division No. 2, Deer Lodge County. Thomas F. Murphy, Patrick Kiely, J. P. O'Leary, T. P. Fitzpatrick, Richard Roe, T. J. Burke, John J. Dooley. ## Division No. 1, Cascade County. Bernard Joyce, J. P. Reagan, James H. O'Kelley, M. H. Gannon, John McAllister, A. P. McNally. ## Missoula County Officers. Delegates—D. J. Donohue, Michael Leahy, Ed. Dougherty, M. M. Joyce, Michael Flynn. Alternates—James Conlan, W. C. Murphy, F. A. Farley, Patrick Callahan, James D. Corbett. ## Division No. 1, Missoula County. Delegates—J. H. Quirk, J. H. Kennedy, Arthur P. Quinn, M. B. McBride, P. M. Reilly, E. C. Mulroney, W. L. Murphy. Alternates—E. L. Hawkins, William Devin, Morris Manick, J. J. Burke, J. J. Flynn, Timothy McCarthy, D. P. Cahill. ## Division No. 1, Choteau County. T. J. Troy. *[Text checked against the page scan at 2.3-3x (the delegate lists at 3x, Jerry D. Murphy and the other Division No. 1 names, the Resolutions signatures and E. C. Mulroney at 5-6x), 21 Oct 2026, starting from the tile-by-tile page reading of 20-21 Oct 2026. Printer's slips are kept as printed: "reat Falls", "convention tion", "credit for for", "candida[te]" (letters broken), "re-elected as treasurer" twice (O'Mahoney and Clark), "Mrs. J. D. Murphy" in the prose but "Mrs. D. J. Murphy" in the list, "Kellher" in the signatures, "James . McCarthy" and "P. . Sullivan" (initials dropped), "James P .Graney", "Chouteau" and "Choteau".]*