IRISH VOLUNTEERS TO PARADE IN THEIR CIVILIAN ATTIRE

The Butte Miner, Butte, 1915-03-16, p.3

Summary

"(Continued From Page One.)" St. Patrick's Day 1915 controversy: Mayor Smith of Butte instructed Chief of Police Jerry J. Murphy to ban the carrying of firearms by Irish Volunteers (Company A, 1st regiment of Butte's Irish Volunteers) in the city's St Patrick's parade. Reasoned in part by the concurrent World War, which had already triggered President Wilson's request that Americans refrain from public actions that might be construed as a violation of US neutrality (between German/Austrian and Allied sympathies in Butte). **Letter from "JAMES J. MURPHY, Co. Pres. A. O. H."** to the Butte Miner, printed verbatim alongside a "Notice to Volunteers" signed "Commissioned Officers." All members of Company A, I. V., are requested to assemble at Hibernian hall on Wednesday March 17 at 8:30am in citizens' clothes. **JJM's letter, key passage:** "Years past the Hibernians have marched through the streets of the city of Butte on St. Patrick's day without causing the slightest infraction of the law or offending the sensibilities of any normal citizen. Your instructions prohibiting the carrying of firearms in this parade comes as a surprise, from the fact that we carried arms last year and on numerous other occasions without known opposition from any quarter. Therefore, your action at this time seems to me to be influenced by a few underground bigots. Regardless of that I have made known your instructions to the officers of the organization who countenanced carrying firearms. In conclusion I will state that the Hibernians always desire to preserve the peace and good order of the community. Should any trouble arise (and I don't see any reason for such) I assure you it will not originate from any individual or society in our parade. Your very respectfully, JAMES J. MURPHY, Co. Pres. A. O. H." Mayor Smith's letter to JJM (printed in full alongside): cites "the proposed demonstration may be innocently patriotic, its effect might be to arouse enmities and inflame passions that Butte would be better off without," President Wilson's appeal, and constitutional authority to prohibit "disorderly or offensive conduct." Closes: "Your committees and the societies interested will accept this order in the spirit it is intended — that is, to preserve the peace and good order of the community." **St Patrick's Day committee list** (the page is also a list-of- officers exhibit): A. O. H. Hall Reception — Judge J. J. Lynch chairman, John J. Crowley, James J. McCarthy, Con J. Murphy, John K. O'Rourke, T. J. McCarthy, John O'Leary. Floor — Walter J. Sewell, John J. McCarthy, Dan Leahy, Morty McCarthy, Joe Flannagan, James Connolly. Door — Tim Lyons, D. J. Harrington, Bat Riley, P. J. Sullivan, Andrew Mackey. Pallas Hall Reception — John Sweeney, Martin Joyce, P. J. Kelly, Hugh Hanghin, Thomas Keely, James P. Griffin, W. P. McCarthy, P. Boland. Floor — Tom Collins, P. H. Kenny, Thomas Kenny, Pat Doran, Maurice McDonough, Vincent Doyle, Thomas McGiveny, Joe Maginn. Door — Pat T. Shea, John Connelly, Ed Lawler, W. J. Strainey. Coliseum Hall Reception — James Cummins, James J. Murphy [DISTINCT? — see note], James P. Connolly, T. J. Leary, P. J. Boyle, Pat Lee, Dan McGarvey, John H. Page. Floor — Barney McVeigh, Dan McBride, John Boomer, Con Boomer, Dan D. Crowley, Charles T. Gallagher. Door — John R. Murphy, Michael D. Boyle, Owen Devar, P. F. Casey, John Owens. **Germans to Take Part.** Committee announces that the German- Austrian Relief society will participate in every event of the Hibernians' St. Patrick's day program at the Hall and at St Mary's church. A call issued for the affiliated organization to meet at 8:30am Wednesday at the German hall and march en bloc with their society to Hibernia hall on North Main street and thence in a body to St Patrick's church Centerville. ("The Miner war ad page is the place for you every want.") ARCHIVE SIGNIFICANCE. (a) **JJM's signed published letter to a Butte mayor**. The most extensive verbatim quotation of JJM's own voice anywhere in the archive so far. Tone is principled, pugnacious ("influenced by a few underground bigots"), and formally civic. (b) Mayor Smith's police chief is named "Jerry J. Murphy" — Jere J. Murphy (= person_jere_j_murphy_butte_ police_chief_1922) confirmed as Butte Chief of Police as early as 1915, not just 1922. Two distinct J. Murphys debating through Mayor Smith. (c) Cross-cultural Butte detail: German- Austrian Relief society marches in St Patrick's parade 1915 — eight months into World War, and on the eve of the Lusitania.

People

James Joseph "James J." Murphy (b. 1883 Ardgroom; d. 1938 LA)(as printed: JAMES J. MURPHY, Co. Pres. A. O. H.)
role: county president letter author and st pats committee · family confidence: 10 flag
Jere J. Murphy (Butte Chief of Police, 1922)(as printed: Chief of Police Jerry J. Murphy)
role: chief of police recipient of mayoral order · family confidence: 0 not family
Confirms Jere/Jerry J. Murphy as Butte chief of police as early as March 1915. The 1922 banquet record already names him; this clipping extends his Butte career backward by seven years.

Also mentioned

Mayor Charles A. Smith · butte_mayor_issued_firearms_ban
Mayor of Butte March 1915 — initials given only in his signature 'C. A. Smith, Mayor.'
President Wilson · federal_neutrality_appeal_cited
Woodrow Wilson; cited as authority for the firearms ban via his appeal to refrain from public demonstrations.
Judge J. J. Lynch · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_chairman
John J. Crowley · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
James J. McCarthy · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
Con J. Murphy · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
John K. O'Rourke · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
Likely the former Sheriff John K. O'Rourke who in May 1915 joins Arthur Berry in leasing the Florence hotel — see the 1915-05-25 JJM-promoted-superintendent clipping for context.
T. J. McCarthy · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
John O'Leary · st_pats_aoh_hall_reception_committee
Walter J. Sewell · st_pats_floor_committee
John J. McCarthy · st_pats_floor_committee
Dan Leahy · st_pats_floor_committee
Morty McCarthy · st_pats_floor_committee
Joe Flannagan · st_pats_floor_committee
James Connolly · st_pats_floor_committee
Tim Lyons · st_pats_door_committee
D. J. Harrington · st_pats_door_committee
Bat Riley · st_pats_door_committee
P. J. Sullivan · st_pats_door_committee
Andrew Mackey · st_pats_door_committee
John Sweeney · pallas_hall_reception
Martin Joyce · pallas_hall_reception
P. J. Kelly · pallas_hall_reception
Hugh Hanghin · pallas_hall_reception
Thomas Keely · pallas_hall_reception
Likely Thomas Kealey — see 1916-03-25 funeral. Will die one year after this clipping.
James P. Griffin · pallas_hall_reception
W. P. McCarthy · pallas_hall_reception
P. Boland · pallas_hall_reception
Tom Collins · pallas_hall_floor_committee
P. H. Kenny · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Thomas Kenny · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Pat Doran · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Maurice McDonough · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Vincent Doyle · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Thomas McGiveny · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Joe Maginn · pallas_hall_floor_committee
Pat T. Shea · pallas_hall_door_committee
John Connelly · pallas_hall_door_committee
Ed Lawler · pallas_hall_door_committee
W. J. Strainey · pallas_hall_door_committee
James Cummins · coliseum_hall_reception
James J. Murphy (Coliseum Hall) · coliseum_hall_reception
PROBABLY THE SAME JJM (already named as letter author). The committee distribution suggests JJM as county president would have been spread across venues. But if he is the writer, attending the Coliseum reception alongside Cummins and signing a separate letter is plausible. Possibly a second James J. Murphy. Held conservatively as the same person.
James P. Connolly · coliseum_hall_reception
T. J. Leary · coliseum_hall_reception
P. J. Boyle · coliseum_hall_reception
Pat Lee · coliseum_hall_reception
Dan McGarvey · coliseum_hall_reception
John H. Page · coliseum_hall_reception
Barney McVeigh · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
Dan McBride · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
John Boomer · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
Con Boomer · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
Dan D. Crowley · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
Charles T. Gallagher · coliseum_hall_floor_committee
Could be the same as Charles H. / J. Gallagher elsewhere — typesetter variation likely.
John R. Murphy · coliseum_hall_door_committee
Michael D. Boyle · coliseum_hall_door_committee
Owen Devar · coliseum_hall_door_committee
P. F. Casey · coliseum_hall_door_committee
John Owens · coliseum_hall_door_committee

Places

Butte, Montana (primary)
Centerville (district of Butte) (secondary)

Themes

Story threads

Source type

news_item, letter_to_editor, list_of_officers

Related sources

Transcription

transcription: complete · confidence high

# IRISH VOLUNTEERS TO PARADE IN THEIR CIVILIAN ATTIRE *(Continued From Page One.)* *The Butte Miner, Tuesday, March 16, 1915, p. 3.* Years past the Hibernians have marched through the streets of the city of Butte on St. Patrick's day without causing the slightest infraction of the law or offending the sensibilities of any normal citizen. Your instructions prohibiting the carrying of firearms in this parade comes as a surprise, from the fact that we carried arms last year and on numerous other occasions without known opposition from any quarter. Therefore, your action at this time seems to me to be influenced by a few underground bigots. Regardless of that I have made known your instructions to the officers of the Irish Volunteers and appears in today's Miner, requesting the company to assemble in civilian attire. The notice reads as follows: > "Notice to Volunteers." > > "All members of Company A, I. V., are requested to assemble at Hibernian hall on Wednesday, March 17, at 8:30 o'clock in the morning. Members will appear in citizens' clothes. > > "(Signed) 'Commissioned Officers.'" ## The Mayor's Action. Mayor Smith yesterday instructed Chief of Police Jerry J. Murphy regarding firearms on St. Patrick's day. He also addressed the following letter to James J. Murphy, chairman of the committee on the St. Patrick's day celebration: > "I am informed that in preparation for a St. Patrick's day demonstration next Wednesday arrangements are being made for a military parade in uniform and bearing arms; also that German and Austrian societies have been invited to take part in the parade, the idea being to make a Teutonic demonstration against the English and their allies. While the purpose back of this proposed demonstration may be innocently patriotic, its effect might be to arouse enmities and inflame passions that Butte would be better off without. > > "President Wilson has wisely urged the American people to refrain from public demonstrations concerning the European situation that might be construed as a violation of that spirit or letter of American neutrality. It is to be hoped that Butte will not be the first American city to foment national prejudices that might lead to consequences more serious than can now be contemplated. > > "So far as a public parade, the carrying of flags and wearing of uniforms is concerned, I am not disposed, even if I possessed the right to prohibit. In this connection I can only appeal to the good sense and good citizenship of those participating in the parade to refrain from disorderly or offensive conduct. > > "As insurance for the peace and good order of the community, the carrying of firearms, either concealed or exposed, in connection with this or any other public demonstration on the streets of Butte will be prohibited, unless such arms are in the hands of the regularly constituted authorities. I will instruct the chief of police to see that this order is complied with. > > "Trusting that your committees and the societies interested will accept this order in the spirit it is intended — that is, to preserve the peace and good order of the community — I am 'Yours very truly,' > > "C. A. SMITH, Mayor." ## Response from JJ Murphy. > "JAMES J. MURPHY, > Co. Pres. A. O. H." An advertisement appearing in the Miner by the commissioned officers of the Irish Volunteers and appears in today's Miner, requesting the company to assemble in civilian attire. ## Germans to Take Part. Announcement was made yesterday that all German and Austrian societies in Butte and the German-Austrian relief society would participate in every event of the Hibernians' St. Patrick's day program, both at the hall and at St. Mary's church. A call was issued for the affiliated organization to meet at 8:30 o'clock tomorrow morning at the German hall and march on North Main street and thence in a body to Hibernia hall, where they will unite with the Irish societies to march to St. Patrick's church Centerville. ## The Committees. The following committees have been appointed to have charged of the events at the three halls where dancing is to be enjoyed tomorrow night: **A. O. H. Hall — Reception:** Hon. Judge J. J. Lynch, John J. Crowley, James J. McCarthy, Con J. Murphy, John K. O'Rourke, T. J. McCarthy, John O'Leary. **Floor:** Walter J. Sewell, John J. McCarthy, Dan Leahy, Morty McCarthy, Joe Flannagan, James Connolly. **Door:** Tim Lyons, D. J. Harrington, Bat Riley, P. J. Sullivan, Andrew Mackey. **Pallas Hall — Reception:** John Sweeney, Martin Joyce, P. J. Kelly, Hugh Hanghin, Thomas Keely, James P. Griffin, W. P. McCarthy, P. Boland. **Floor:** Tom Collins, P. H. Kenny, Thomas Kenny, Pat Doran, Maurice McDonough, Vincent Doyle, Thomas McGiveny, Joe Maginn. **Door:** Pat T. Shea, John Connelly, Ed Lawler, W. J. Strainey. **Coliseum Hall — Reception:** James Cummins, James J. Murphy, James P. Connolly, T. J. Leary, P. J. Boyle, Pat Lee, Dan McGarvey, John H. Page. **Floor:** Barney McVeigh, Dan McBride, John Boomer, Con Boomer, Dan D. Crowley, Charles T. Gallagher. **Door:** John R. Murphy, Michael D. Boyle, Owen Devar, P. F. Casey, John Owens.

Open questions

themes world_war_one and municipal_politics — confirm exist in /vocab/themes.yaml or add.
Mayor "C. A. Smith" — promote to a person record for the Butte civic-life chapter? Mayor March 1915.
The Coliseum Hall "James J. Murphy" — same person as the letter author (and county president), or a third James J. Murphy? Holding as same-person provisionally.