

"Edward Hickey Whelan":

A Catholic Irish-American Immigrant at the turn of the 19th Century

by

Hugh Thomas More Whelan - his great-grandson

2015, 2016 ©
* * *

"In 1893 upon discharge -- as documented in the 1894 Omaha City Directory and the 1893-94 catalog of Creighton University -- Edward J. Hickey astonishingly adopts the name "Edward H. Whelan" which he is to use for the rest of his life. In his later listing in the Army Register of 1919, it is clear that "H" stands for Hickey. Why does he change his real last name, adopting his mother's maiden name? Why does he change his name in the same city he has lived and served in for the last three years -- and continues to live in?

Importantly he had no concern enlisting in the Army as a "Hickey" and in continuing to be identified with the Army at Creighton where he is "Instructor, late of U.S. Army" of the Creighton Cadets. But perhaps someone else is less comfortable with Edward's Army service now. They must be people Edward cares enough about to allow them to influence the name he uses -- even if not the actions he chooses to take. What might have changed in the early 1890's?"

#  Introduction

There are conflicting stories about my great-grandfather, Edward H. Whelan.

One version -- represented by his obituary in 1936 (see Figure 40) -- says that he was born in Massachusetts, his parents returned to County Tipperary in Ireland and he lived there until he was 16. [1] He then immigrated back to the US.

Another version, related in the San Diego Daily Transcript based on an interview with my father Vincent Edward Whelan, indicates Edward was not born in the US, but in County Tipperary in 1872. He became an orphan in his teens and then came to US. [2]

Both versions agree that when Edward came to Nebraska, he likely lived for some time with his "uncles" John or Patrick Hickey. [3] While not written down, oral tradition also suggests that Edward might have been born with the last name Hickey, but assumed his mother's maiden name -- Whelan -- when he joined the US Army. As the story goes, this was done to counter objections from the Hickey family who believed that a Hickey should only fight for the independence of Ireland (which was not granted until 1921). Serving in any other army indirectly supported Irish oppression.

My narrative attempts to puzzle out the truth about Edward's life using documentary evidence, and along the way paint a portrait of what Catholic Irish-American immigration was like in the midwest at the turn of the 19th century.

I rely on documents and interpret them on the basis of what seems most likely to me to be true. But my narrative is also good illustration of the limits of documentary evidence. While Edward's life is relatively well documented, we will see that Edward responded differently on different documents. Documents are often not conclusive; we can't be completely sure that seemingly relevant documents in fact refer to the person of interest; and importantly we can't be sure what documents we may be missing. With those disclaimers, let us begin the tale. 

#  Chapter 1: "Edward's" name, date of birth, origin and early life

I believe Edward H. Whelan was born as Edmond J. Hickey in 1873 in County Tipperary.

Last Name: When Edward was married in Kellerton, Iowa in 1898 (see Appendix Figure 5) he recorded that his parents were Dennis and Mary Whelan. Yet we will see that when he served in the 2nd Infantry, US Army in the early 1890's, he used the name "Edward J. Hickey".

First Name: An additional fog that permeates Edward's records are variations in spelling that are not at all unusual for the period. For example his eldest son is reported as "Edmond" in the 1910 and 1920 US Census reports, but "Edmund" in the 1930 Census (the name "Edmund" himself used in his World War I draft registration -- Appendix Figure 7). This particular spelling variation is quite relevant as  "Prior to the 20th Century, the given names Edward, Edmund, and Edmond appear to be virtually interchangeable." [4] Thus in searching for documents related to Edward's birth we are hunting for an Edward/Edmond/Edmund born to parents Dennis/Denis and Mary Whelan/Hickey. In the back of our minds is the tale that Edward's mother's maternal name could be Whelan. [5]

Birth Year: The birth years we are searching range from 1872 to 1874. Edward's tombstone in Holy Cross cemetery in San Diego cites his birth year as 1872 (as does the Daily Transcript article). Edward was captured in 4 US Census reports (see Appendix Figures 1-4) -- in 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930 -- and his birth year is recorded as 1872 in 1900; 1874 in 1910; and 1873 in the 1920 and 1930 census reports. [6] Again on his marriage certificate in 1898 he states he is 26 -- again yielding 1872.

Birth Place: In the 1910 and 1920 Census reports, Edward reports that he was born in Ireland. In the 1900 and 1930 Census reports he indicates he was born in Massachusetts! Thus we are hunting across two countries.

For births in the US there were a few record results with these name/date combinations, but there were no close matches with parents Dennis and Mary that could not be ruled out (e.g., individuals whose residence in 1900 were in other parts of the country when Edward Whelan was documented to have been in Nebraska).

In Ireland there is no match for an E. Whelan born to parents Mary and Dennis/Denis in Ireland, but there is one for the birth of an Edmond Hickey on January 9th, 1873 to a Denis Hickey and a Mary Whelan Hickey (see Appendix Figure 6). It is close to the birth year 1872, but not the same. It agrees with the first names of his parents reported on his marriage certificate (accepting Dennis as Denis), but disagrees with the fact that he said their last names were Whelan on his marriage license. Finally it fits with the possible idea that he "took his mother's maiden name" at some point (although we will see  not when he joined the Army).

The possibility that Edward's birth name was Edmond is also supported, perhaps, by the name Edward himself gave his oldest son -- Edmund/Edmond. Giving your oldest son your own name was a common tradition (Edward H.'s son Vincent Ambrose Whelan also followed this tradition in naming my father Vincent Edward).

Much of what is documented about Edward's early life and his parents come from notes written by two daughters of Edward's uncle John Hickey (Margaret and Alice). They indicate that Edward's father Denis was the oldest of seven children born to an "Edward" Hickey and Mary Sweeney. Much of Margaret and Alice's information can be validated by documents, but they also contain some inaccuracies.

Denis was born about 1836. His siblings in age order were Edward, Daniel (born about 1842), Patrick (born 1843 - 1846), John (born 1847 -1851), Margaret and Ellen. Other family sources suggest additional  siblings Mary, Julia and Emma, but I was unable to find documentary evidence directly supporting those names. Both Denis's [7] , Daniel's [8] , and Patrick's [9] marriage certificates cite their father as Edward/Edmond and Daniel's includes the name of his mother Mary Sweeney.

There is little direct information about Edward H.'s parents. Their marriage record cited above is for a 32 year old widowed Denis Hickey to a widowed 32 year old Mary Whalen or Whelan on November 5th, 1868 at Clonoulty, Tipperary. Clonoulty is just northwest of the town of Cashel often mentioned in Edward's oral traditions. Mary's father's name is given as David Whelan [10] .

The recollections of Margaret and Alice Hickey suggest that Denis and Mary had a son in Ireland who died in infancy. They then joined other Hickey's who had first settled in the area around Webster, Massachusetts [11] and had a daughter who was born in Webster who also died in infancy. Finally they returned to Ireland where Edward H. was born.  I cannot find documentary evidence that specifically ties to a Denis and Mary who were married in 1868 to that sequence of reported births and deaths. However there is a record of a death due to "inanition" ( a general term commonly used for infant deaths meaning exhaustion, as from lack of nourishment or vitality) in Boston in July of 1874 of an infant daughter -- Mary A. Hickey -- of a Dennis and Mary Hickey. [12] Her death date, however, appears to be after the January, 1873 birth date of Edward in Ireland.

I also cannot find any record of another son born in Ireland to Denis and Mary who died young, so perhaps it was Edward who was the "first son born in Ireland" that the oral tradition refers to. But Edward may well have had a older brother who died in infancy. The Ireland Civil Registration index has 313 Hickeys who were both born between 1868 and 1873 and died in that same period; unfortunately the index does not include the parent's names. Finally, since their marriage certificate indicates both Denis and Mary were widowed when they married, the deceased son may have referred to the son of a first spouse.

Oral tradition records that Edward H.'s father "died young" and that Edward was brought up by a cousin Josephine Whelan and an uncle Billie White in Clonmel, near Cashel.  There is also the belief that Edward's mother Mary died about the same time Edward left for the United States. Again Irish records can't be tied  specifically to these beliefs. There are 4 Denis Hickey's listed in Irish death and probate records who died between 1874 and 1888 (the deaths occurred between 1878 and 1890), including one with a beneficiary of John Hickey. [13] There are 9 Mary Hickeys who died between 1885 and 1895, including one from Thurles in 1890 and one in Tipperary in 1891. [14] However there is nothing specifically tying any of these records to Edward.

In the 1920 Census, Edward reported that he immigrated in 1889. Thus he received his formative education in Ireland. Edward was likely well educated as Ireland had national education and very low levels of illiteracy (18% in 1891). " Students could sit any number of subjects but they had to include two of the following: Latin, Greek, English, mathematics and modern languages. The marks allocated to subjects varied. Latin, Greek, English and mathematics were worth 1,200 marks; German and French 700, Celtic (i.e. Irish) 600." [15]

The strength of his formative education is supported by his Army position in the 1890s as "Post Teacher" while only in his late teens and early 20's. It is also supported by the fact that as a 21/22 year old in his first year at Creighton University (after his first Army service) he won First Honors with 1st prizes in English Precepts, English Composition, History, Mathematics and Book-keeping with a 2nd prize in Latin (Figure 1). [16]

Edward appears to have retained some fondness for classical Greek and Roman culture. He gave his oldest son the middle name of Dionysius -- the Greek son of Zeus and the mortal Semele (interestingly its modern form are variants of "Dennis" -- Edward's father's name). My grandfather Vincent A. told us that recreation growing up in Edward's household including making a bust of Cicero and other Roman luminaries.

###  Figure 1: Creighton University Catalog 1893-94 Academic Year

#  Chapter 2: Immigration to the United States - 1889/90

The two logical ports of entry for Edward would have been Boston and New York City. I believe the record that is most consistent with the "Edward/Edmund/Edmond Whelan/Hickey" name combination is an arrival by a 19-year old "Edwd Hickey" on the 8th of May, 1890 in New York on the ship Majestic that sailed from Liverpool. [17] He is listed in the steerage, or third class, portion of the passenger list. Steerage passengers on that voyage included 320 from England, 312 from Ireland, 43 Americans, and the balance from Denmark, Sweden and Norway. Of the 1000 "souls" in steerage, 957 of them were not US citizens

.

###  Figure 2: Images of the White Star Line's R.M.S. Majestic

The White Star Line's Majestic and its sister ship Teutonic were typical immigration ships: they had room for 300 first class passengers and 190 second class passengers. But the immigrants were in steerage.

" Third Class, commonly known as steerage, was built for immigrants and lower class travelers. Teutonic was built to carry 1,000 Third Class passengers in two areas of accommodation aboard the ship. In the bow, there were large multi-berth rooms for single men. Meanwhile, there was accommodation for the remainder of the passengers in the Stern. There were small two- and four-berth rooms for married couples or passengers traveling with children, while single women were berthed, like men were in the bow, in large multi-berth dormitory like rooms." [18]

Why did Edward immigrate to the US? It is hard to know, however two forces drove Irish immigration in that period. In terms of "demand" or desire to immigrate, Ireland was experiencing its second potato famine.

" In the 1870s the rate of migration varied from a high of 16.9 per 1000 in 1873 to a low of 7.1 in 1876. This increased dramatically in the 1880s as a result of poor conditions in agriculture: emigration averaged 16.1 per thousand per annum compared to 11.3 for the period 1870–80." [19]

In terms of "supply" or ease of immigration to the US, ship passage had become much cheaper and easier:

"After 1855, the tide of Irish immigration to America levelled off. However, the continuing steady numbers encouraged ship builders to construct bigger vessels. Most of them still made the voyage east with commodities to feed England's industrial revolution, but shipowners began to realise the economic advantages of specialising in steerage passengers. Conditions onboard began to improve. Not to a standard that could even remotely be called comfortable today. But improved, all the same. By 1855 iron steamships of over 1500 tons were becoming increasingly common and competition was growing. So much so that steerage fares on steamships were often lower than on sailing ships, and voyage time was considerably quicker at less than two weeks. This reduction of voyage time was a two-fold blessing. Not only did this mean the emigrant had to suffer the discomfort of steerage for a shorter period, it also made the concept of Irish immigration to America – the leaving of family and homeland – seem less permanent. As the size of emigrant ships grew, so it became increasingly common for Irish emigrants to travel to Liverpool, across the Irish Sea in Northwest England, to catch their boat to a new life in America. This huge port could accommodate the larger ships more easily than the small Irish harbours." [20]

The path to America had already been blazed by his Uncles Daniel, Patrick and John Hickey in the 1860s or perhaps earlier in the 1850s (John Hickey's obituary states that he came over with their father). [21] Oral tradition suggests Edward may not have gotten along well with his guardians in Ireland after his father's early death and his uncles Patrick and Daniel invited him to stay with them in Nebraska. According to family stories, Edward spent a brief period of time visiting his uncle Daniel Hickey and other relatives who had settled on the East Coast in Massachusetts and Connecticut where they found work in textile mills. However almost immediately he made his way west to stay with John.

At the time Edward immigrated around 1890, his Uncle John was living in West Point, Nebraska -- approximately 60 miles north northwest of the city of Omaha where Edward was posted at Fort Omaha. Edward's uncle Patrick was living in Fremont, Nebraska -- roughly 30 miles west/northwest of Omaha.

#  Chapter 3: Service in the US Army - 1890 to 1893

One of the most important documents in our search is a US Index to Indian War pensions. It is for an "Edward H. Whelan; Edward J. Hickey alias" citing enlistment in 1890 and discharge in 1893. The document itself was filed in California in 1932 at a time when Edward lived in California. It cites Indian War service in the 2nd Infantry Regiment which was based at Fort Omaha Nebraska to help fight the Sioux from 1886 to 1898. [22] In short this document matches important components of both Edward's documented location as well as oral tradition regarding Edward's service in the Indian Wars, Fort Riley Kansas, and his use of both the name Hickey and Whelan.

###  Figure 3: US Index to Indian War Pensions U.S Infantry, 2nd Regiment, Company E -- Indian Wars; U.S. Guards (National Guard), 5th Regiment, Company D -- World War I [23]

A second important document is the Fort Omaha directory from 1888-96. [24] Edward J. Hickey was listed in that directory from 1891 to 1894 with the rank of Private in Company E of the 2nd Infantry serving as a "Post Teacher." The directory exactly matches the pension record, but specifically  appears to contradict the story that Edward assumed the Whelan name in order to join the US Army: He joined the army as a Hickey! In fact, taken at face value, he is claiming that Edward J. Hickey is the alias.

We can't be sure why Edward enlisted in the US Army at age 17 or 18. We understand through oral tradition that he had made his way to Nebraska to be near his Hickey uncles. However if the immigration dates are correct as cited on the census -- and perhaps confirmed by the Majestic ship passenger records -- he enlisted almost immediately upon his arrival.

Other opportunities available to him may have been limited. His Uncle John was a farmer and his Uncle Patrick was a tailor -- given Edward's education and ambitions, those professions simply might not have appealed to him. John Hickey's daughters notes indicate that the Hickey's were poor and might have had a hard time supporting another mouth to feed. Serving in the US Army was not an unusual pattern for young Irish immigrants.

###  Figure 4: Officers in tent by fire during the Pine Ridge campaign, circa 1890-1891. From the National Archives "Photographs of the American West" [25]

A description of an Indian War cavalry unit was as follows:

"Immigrants, especially those from Ireland and German, filled the ranks. Others came from England, France and Italy. John Martini was an Italian immigrant. He became a bugler in the 7th Cavalry, survived the Little Bighorn Massacre and had a long career in the cavalry. One of the biggest challenges encountered in the cavalry was the language barrier. While most of the American recruits did not read or write, the immigrants who did not speak English compounded this problem." [26]

In particular young immigrants were apparently common. One writer complained extensively about recruiting practices regarding immigrants:

"Secondly, these boys. Why should they be enlisted? It is absurd for the recruiting officers to say that they were deceived as to their ages. Why, when the recruits arrive at the headquarters of a regiment for distribution, you can pick out the minors at a glance." [27]

###  Figure 5: "Birds Eye View of Gen Brooks Camp at Pine Ridge Agcy S. D." from the Denver Public Library Digital Collections. The view includes the camp of the 2nd U.S. Infantry Regiment. [28]

Edward's strong education appears to have resulted in a teaching post at Fort Omaha -- so it is unclear whether he saw any military action. The only major engagement the 2nd Infantry served in while Edward was enlisted was the conflict with the Sioux related to the "Ghost Dance" movement of the late 1800's. The conflict at the Pine Ridge reservation -- that included the "massacre at Wounded Knee" in South Dakota -- only lasted from November, 1890 to January of 1891. Thus it was over almost immediately after Edward's enlistment.

"The 2nd Infantry was on the Pine Ridge Reservation on 29 December 1890 when the Wounded Knee Massacre occurred and, although the regiment was not involved, one officer from the regiment was wounded there. On the same day, in a separate attack by the Sioux Indians, three soldiers from the regiment were wounded." [29]

The 2nd Infantry Companies that were present were stationed away from where the action (and massacre) occurred. But based on a first hand account from a 2nd Infantry officer worth reading, Edward's E Company was not even there. E Company was most likely back in Fort Omaha, some 400 miles away.

" On the morning of the 18th of November, 1890, the Second U.S. Infantry was suddenly placed on waiting orders, to proceed at a moment's notice to the Sioux Indian Agency at Pine Ridge, S. D. It was thoroughly unexpected; there had been no news of any threatened outbreak or trouble on the part of the Indians, and the Department order contained no specific information. All the day the companies were busy packing rations, tents, extra ammunition, and clothing. At noon the order was changed to four companies, A, B, C, and D, to leave, via the Elkhorn Railroad, at 7 o'clock P.M. the same day. The movement was a complete surprise to everybody." [30]

###  Figure 6: Fort Omaha

Fort Omaha where Edward taught was a small "supply fort" located right in the heart of the city of Omaha -- a mere 3 miles north of Edward's next focus: Creighton University. Its primary purpose was to provide supplies and a place for training -- it was not a defensive fortification designed to control a key area. Thus it wasn't the remote, dusty frontier fort we often think of. Indeed it was reputed to have an active social life. Its location in Omaha and the events that occurred there played a large role in Edward's name change to Whelan.

#  Chapter 4 The Fenians, "General" O'Neill and John Hickey

In 1893 upon discharge -- a s documented in the 1894 Omaha City Directory and the 1893-94 catalog of Creighton University -- Edward J. Hickey astonishingly adopts the name "Edward H. Whelan" which he is to use for the rest of his life. [31] In his later listing in the Army Register of 1919, it is clear that "H" stands for Hickey. [32] Why does he change his real last name, adopting his mother's maiden name? Why does he change his name in the same city he has lived and served in for the last three years -- and continues to live in?

Importantly he had no concern enlisting in the Army as a "Hickey" and in continuing to be identified with the Army at Creighton where he is "Instructor, late of U.S. Army" of the Creighton Cadets. But perhaps someone else is less comfortable with Edward's Army service now. They must be people Edward cares enough about to allow them to influence the name he uses -- even if not the actions he chooses to take. What might have changed in the early 1890's?

###  Figure 7: 1894 Omaha City Directory

###  Figure 8: Creighton University Catalog 1893-94

To understand the likely answers, one has to first learn about the Fenian movement, and one of it's leaders "General" O'Neill who founded O'Neill, Nebraska just 20 years before Edward changed his name.

General O'Neill had been a vigorous member of the Fenian Movement in the mid-1800s.

" The Fenian Movement consisted of revolutionary groups determined to overthrow British rule of Ireland and establish an independent Irish state. The movement was started in Ireland in 1850 when James Stephens and Thomas Clarke Luby created the Irish Republican Brotherhood; the nickname, "Fenians," came from the ancient Irish warriors called the Fianna. John O'Mahoney, Michael Doheny, and Stephens started the Fenian Movement in the United States in a ceremony in front of Tammany Hall in New York City in October of 1858. Their objective in starting an organization in the United States was to rally Irish-Americans politically behind a revolution in Ireland against Britain...

...the Fenians planned a three-pronged invasion of Canada. The hope was that, if they succeeded in capturing British Canada, it could be used as ransom to coerce the British government into granting Irish independence. In theory, the plan might have been appealing, but it was impractical and quixotic because the Fenians simply did not have enough soldiers and resources to have any realistic hope of taking Canada from Britain, the world's premier military power in the mid-19th century." [33]

###  Figure 9: "General" O'Neill

In fact, O'Neill was the leader of all 3 of the Fenian military incursions into Canada starting in 1866:

O'Neill, ranked as colonel, travelled to the Canadian border with a group from Nashville to participate in the Fenian raids. The assigned commander of the expedition did not appear, so O'Neill took command. On 1 June 1866, he led a group of six hundred men across the  Niagara River and occupied  Fort Erie .

The following day, north of  Ridgeway, Ontario , O'Neill's group encountered a detached column of Canadian volunteers, commanded by Lt-Col. Alfred Booker (mainly formed of the Queen's Own Rifles of  Toronto and the 13th Battalion of Hamilton). The inexperienced Canadians were routed by the Civil War veterans. O'Neill withdrew back to Fort Erie and fought a battle against a detachment led by  John Stoughton Dennis . With overwhelming numbers of Canadian forces closing in, O'Neill oversaw a successful evacuation on the night of 2-3 June back to United States territory. He was later charged with violating the neutrality laws of the USA, but it was dropped... Ridgeway made O'Neill a Fenian hero. He had won the only success the Fenians ever achieved in their numerous enterprises against Canada. He had handled his force well, and it should be added that he had kept his men under strict control and that there was little looting or disorder. The episode shortly led to the Roberts party of the Fenian Brotherhood appointing him "inspector general of the Irish Republican Army." He took Roberts' place as president at the end of 1867.

However, the split between two factions of the Fenians remained, and penetration of O'Neill's organisation by British and Canadian spies ensured that his next venture into Canada in 1870 (see  Battle of Eccles Hill ) was known in advance, and Canada was accordingly prepared. After the  Battle of Trout River ended in a disorganized rout, O'Neill was arrested by United States Marshal  George P. Foster and charged with violating neutrality laws. That led to O'Neill's imprisonment in July 1870 - he was sentenced to two years - but he and other Fenians were pardoned by President  Ulysses S. Grant that October.

Though he renounced the idea of further attacks on Canada, he changed his mind at the urging of an associate of  Louis Riel ,  William Bernard O'Donoghue . With the latter, and without the backing of the bulk of the Fenians, he led an attack on the  Hudson's Bay Company 's post at Pembina, Manitoba, on 5 October 1871. The area was then disputed between America and Canada. He was arrested by American troops." [34]

After his last escapade into Canada, O'Neill embarked on his next great mission: establishing Irish "colonies" across the American West.

"Nebraska was to be O'Neill's next staging area. He had 'always believed in striking at England wherever we could reach her and whenever the English flag floats.' It was then floating in the the Red River Country, and the Irish, 'particularly the Irish exiles whom her oppressive laws have driven from the native land, have a right to go there and make war.' Indeed, 'if we could meet England at a disadvantage at the North Pole that...would be the best place to strike her.'

The general explained in a pamphlet promoting the settlement of O'Neill, Nebraska, that he 'started out with the fixed determination, with God's help, to organize one hundred colonies in different parts of the West.' That was a good start, but O'Neill went on to write: 'I sincerely hope that the example I have thus set will be followed by others, until there are a thousand Irish-American Colonies scattered all over the West.' He assured those looking to settle in O'Neill that he did not wish 'to see the Irish people leave their native land and come here to go out West,', but 'their tyrant oppressor' was still setting them to wandering and O'Neill 'always believed that the next best thing to giving the Irish people their freedom at home, is to assist...such of them as are here, or who may come here...in procuring homes for themselves and their children.' The exiles of Erin had become the impoverished of New York. The West would make them free 'the not far distant day...when they will be needed at home...to free their native land.' O'Neill, Nebraska, was intended as an Irish boot camp....

Charles Collins of Sioux City was a third Irish colonizer/warrior. Between 1866 and 1874 he agitated constantly for opening up the Black Hills as an Irish Fenian colony.  Like the settlement of O'Neill, with which Collins was briefly associated, his colony was a barely disguised military encampment and open only to Irish with the right political instincts. " [35]

As indicated above, O'Neill was only one of several Irish colonies in Nebraska. Between the town of O'Neill and Omaha another Irish colony was formed in Greeley.

"With development contact with General John O'Neill who was instrumental in the Irish settlement in Holt County and his contact with Bishop O'Connor of Omaha, the land in Greeley County was eyed as a prime spot for relocation for the Irish families wishing to homestead. Bishop O'Connor, along with Bishop Ireland of Minnesota and Bishop Spalding of Illinois, established the Irish Catholic Colonization Society. The Society raised money to purchase land for Irish immigrants to settle the rural areas that were opening up."  [36]

The Roman Catholic church officially opposed the Fenian movement both in Ireland and in the US. While there is no suggestion the Bishop James O'Connor had any objectives other than to help poor Irish immigrants living in Eastern cities, he was comfortable working with the most noted former US Fenian -- John O'Neill.

###  Figure 10: Bishop James O'Connor

Edward's uncles Patrick and John Hickey were first-hand witnesses to the Fenian movement and Fenian/Irish Catholic developments in Nebraska. Patrick, born in Ireland around 1845, immigrated to the United States about the same time John did in the early 1860s. [37] They immigrated to the area around Webster, Massachusetts where their brother Daniel and his family, their sister Margaret and possibly their widowed mother Mary also lived. Thus both Patrick and John were in the US about the time of General O'Neill's Canadian raids.

Just prior to moving to Nebraska, according to John Hickey's obituary states:  "Like many young Irishmen of his day he was interested in the Irish Republican Brotherhood, who were the ancestors of the present-day Republicans of that unconquered land, and while on a visit to his relatives in the old country in 1868, he was arrested by English officers and imprisoned as a Fenian. He was soon released, however, and returned to the land of the free" Arrests of Americans thought to be fomenting Fenian activity in Ireland were common. Including both Irish and American citizens, the British  "...made 1,153 arrests under the HCSA  Habeas Corpus Suspension Act]  from February 1866 to mid-summer 1868; there were few internment orders from then until the restoration of habeas corpus in spring 1869." [[38] In 1867 specifically there was an attempt to run guns and munitions by ship (Jacmel, renamed Erin's Hope) from New York to Ireland that resulted in a number of Americans being arrested as "... the American Fenians had been easily recognized with their high boots and broad-brimmed hats." [39] The British had infiltrated the Fenian movement and in general were well informed of Fenian activities. Those arrested under the HCSA were required to fill out a "Form K", but I have not been able to find one linked to John (or any other Fenian documents in which John or Patrick are mentioned). But many Americans used assumed names and were released if they promised to return to America.

Importantly both Patrick and John immigrated to Nebraska at exactly the time General O'Neill, Charles Collins and the Irish Catholic Colonization Society were recruiting and forming Irish colonies. The town of O'Neill, for example, was platted in 1874 and incorporated in 1882. [40] Oral tradition states that John, Patrick and Patrick's new wife Mary immediately moved to the area around Omaha, Nebraska after Patrick's marriage in 1869. [41] Patrick and Mary are captured in the 1870 Census. [42] While I believe John, his sister Margaret (as workers in the woolen mills there) and their widowed mother Mary are captured in the 1870 Census in Webster, Massachusetts, the family story could still be true that John moved west with Patrick given the timing of the Census. [43] Family stories indicate that John at some point went to Joliet, Indiana, perhaps to work in mills there [44] . John Hickey later married Anna Maloney in 1876 in Dodge County, Nebraska. In 1880 John is documented as living in Burt County, Nebraska, northwest of Omaha. [45]

Patrick and John fit the profile of kind of people General O'Neill was trying to appeal to: Irish Catholic laborers from Eastern cities with pro-Fenian sympathies. John and Patrick's father's politics are also suggested by the family story told by John's daughters in their notes about why Edward changed his last name: " [Edward] talked to Father (his uncle John) about going to war. Father did not approve; he hitched up the wagon and drove to Fremont to consult with his brother, Pat. When he came home he told Ed that they both felt Ed's father, Dennis, would not approve -- that Ed would disgrace the name of Hickey. Ed said that he was still going to go, so he said he was changing his name to his mother's -- Whelan."

While the facts of this story don't coincide with the records -- Edward enlisted in the Army under his real last name of Hickey as documented by the Fort Omaha directory -- the story may have applied to Edward's decision to attend Creighton and be publically identified as "late of the U.S. Army" as the head of Creighton's brief-lived cadet corps.

What may have raised the intensity of John and Patrick's objections to Edward's continued association with the US Army was the rise of a virulent anti-Catholic group -- the American Protective Association -- and its impact on Omaha in the early 1890's.

###  Figure 11: John Hickey's Obituary (provided by Neil Van Houten, great grandson of John Hickey)

#  Chapter 5: The anti-Catholic American Protective Association (APA)

The APA was a brief, nasty flame which ignited in 1887, had its greatest influence on the politics of the midwest in the early 1890s and was all but extinguished by the late 1890's. It was an anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant organization  "...founded at a meeting held in the law offices of  Henry F. Bowers in  Clinton, Iowa on 13 March 1887. This meeting drew up a constitution, a ritual and elected Bowers the group's first "Supreme President."  [46]

The organization played on fears of the growing political power of the large number of Irish immigrants at a time when New York and Boston elected their first Irish mayors. Its support was further fueled by economic anxiety. The Depression of 1893 was marked by a stock market crash, deflation (making debts more punishing), and declining employment which resulted in increased competition for jobs with the new immigrants.

The APA's published pieces including "The Society of Jesus Plans Conquest of the U.S.", "The Moral Code of the Jesuits", "Rome's Greed for Money" and "President Lincoln's Assassination Is Traced Directly to the Door of Rome." [47]

###  Figure 12: Front piece of APA book of anti-catholic propaganda

The APA's beliefs are summarized in their members' oath:

The APA Oath:

I do most solemnly promise and swear that I will always, to the utmost of my ability, labor, plead and wage a continuous warfare against ignorance and fanaticism; that I will use my utmost power to strike the shackles and chains of blind obedience to the Roman Catholic church from the hampered and bound consciences of a priest-ridden and church-oppressed people; that I will never allow anyone, a member of the Roman Catholic church, to become a member of this order, I knowing him to be such; that I will use my influence to promote the interest of all Protestants everywhere in the world that I may be; that I will not employ a Roman Catholic in any capacity if I can procure the services of a Protestant.

I furthermore promise and swear that I will not aid in building or maintaining, by my resources, any Roman Catholic church or institution of their sect or creed whatsoever, but will do all in my power to retard and break down the power of the Pope, in this country or any other; that I will not enter into any controversy with a Roman Catholic upon the subject of this order, nor will I enter into any agreement with a Roman Catholic to strike or create a disturbance whereby the Catholic employes may undermine and substitute their Protestant co-workers; that in all grievances I will seek only Protestants and counsel with them to the exclusion of all Roman Catholics, and will not make known to them anything of any nature matured at such conferences.

I furthermore promise and swear that I will not countenance the nomination, in any caucus or convention, of a Roman Catholic for any office in the gift of the American people, and that I will not vote for, or counsel others to vote for, any Roman Catholic, but will vote only for a Protestant, so far as may lie in my power. Should there be two Roman Catholics on opposite tickets, I will erase the name on the ticket I vote; that I will at all times endeavor to place the political positions of this government in the hands of Protestants, to the entire exclusion of the Roman Catholic church, of the members thereof, and the mandate of the Pope.

To all of which I do most solemnly promise and swear, so help me God. Amen. [48]

The APA was particularly strong in Omaha, reaching the peak of its influence when Edward was living there at Fort Omaha. Omaha was indeed exactly the kind of place the APA's message would flourish. Most of Omaha's growth  "...occurred in the decade of the 1880s, when the population soared from 30,518 to 104,430, an increase of 336 percent. Much of this population growth was due to immigration; in 1880, for instance, one third of the population was foreign-born, and in 1910, 54 percent were either foreign-born or of foreign parentage.. ...in the 1890s, 10 railroad lines passed through the city and the Union Pacific had its headquarters there." [49] .

Omaha was also hard hit by the economic depression:

" The year 1893 brought to Omaha people more of the woes of hard times and business depression. There was practically nothing doing here. Men were being discharged or working half time in almost every field of industry ; property values were fast depreciating and no buildings were being erected. The World's Fair had opened up at Chicago and many Omaha families had moved there with the view of securing employment, most of them permanently locating there." [50]

In this environment the APA put out a weekly publication in Omaha called "The American" that contained crude propaganda:

"In the Omaha American, wild sadistic fantasies of Romish violence were focused on the fate of women:

'The priest swears that he will wage relentless war against the heretics... that he will burn, waste, boil, flog, strangle...rip up the stomachs of women and crush the heads of their infants'." [51]

###  Figure 13: APA propaganda alleging mistreatment of nuns [52]

All this might have been laughable, but it wasn't. The APA was vocal about shouting down its opponents. When Episcopal priest John Williams proved to be an exception among Protestant ministers in opposing the APA, the APA retaliated:  "... the APA called Williams "a Jesuit in the garb of a Protestant Minister." Williams admitted that if faced with the choice between the APA and the Jesuits, he would take the latter, for the APA was un-Christian, un-American, vicious, prurient, and ignorant." [53]

Most importantly the APA was able to gain national momentum when it demonstrated that it could dominate Republican conventions in Omaha and deliver victories for its hand-picked candidates in what had been a Democratically controlled city. [54]

" The level of nativism, both unorganized and in the form of the APA, grew between 1892 and 1896 because of hard times. C. P. Miller, a member of the APA, was elected mayor of South Omaha in 1892, and APA-endorsed candidates were elected to civic offices in both Omaha and South Omaha in 1892, 1893, 1894, and 1895. In 1895 the APA gained control of the board that oversaw the Omaha Police Department." [55]

The APA encouraged economic warfare against Catholics through boycotts of businesses owned by Catholics.

"Ex-Congressman Tarnsey, a Catholic, is quoted as saying early in 1893: 'There is not a merchant in this city Saginaw] that has not felt the effects of the boycott for the last year. If he is not boycotted by one, he is by the other. The Catholic is boycotted by the A. P. A., and the A. P. A. possibly lost some of the trade of his Catholic neighbor. I wouldn't be surprised. A. P. Aism has driven business away from your city. Empty stores and vacant residences, signs 'To Rent,' indicate the injury that the A. P. A. has done in a business sense to this entire community.  Omaha and Saginaw are known to the world as two black spots upon the American continent where proscription exists, the proscription that precedes decay and ruin." [[56]

Interestingly C. P. Miller, the APA elected mayor of South Omaha, ran partly on a campaign to "clean up" the city from the influence of liquor sellers -- who may or may not have been Irish. His tenure came to a grisly end, however, when he was found shot just 6 months after being elected. Accounts varied from one bullet wound to three, and from "suicide" (the area where his body was found makes that unlikely, not to mention if there were indeed three bullet wounds) to execution by the liquor merchants he was hurting. This was serious business.

###  Figure 14: Description of election and death of APA endorsed Mayor of South Omaha [57]

While grabbing political power, economic boycotts, and harassment of Irish Catholics were the main activities of the APA, their chief rhetorical argument was that Irish Catholics were not Americans. Bowers, the founder of the APA, believed that Catholicism and "Americanism" were incompatible. [58] The name of the organization he founded implied the needed to protect America from these most un-American immigrants -- as did the name of their Omaha APA weekly "The American." In their minds, those who opposed the APA were not Americans.

While much of their assertion was based on the allegation that Catholics' primary allegiance was to the Pope, their more outlandish claims were that immigrant Catholics had been instructed by the Pope to rise up in revolution and kill their Protestant fellow citizens. A forged papal encyclical allegedly signed by Pope Leo XIII was published for several weeks in APA newspapers, and inserted in national newspapers at advertising rates around the country [59] :

"We proclaim the people of the Unites States to have forfeited all right to rule said republic, and also all dominion, dignity, and privileges appertaining to it. We likewise declare that all subjects of every rank and condition in the United States and every individual who has take any oath of loyalty to the Unites States in any way whatever may be absolved from said oath, as also from all duty, fidelity, or obedience, on or about September 5, 1893, when the Roman Catholic Congress shall convene at Chicago, Ill., as we shall exonerate them from all engagements; and  on or about the feast of Ignatius Loyola founder of the Jesuits], in the year of our Lord 1893, it will be the duty of the faithful to exterminate all heretics found within the jurisdiction of the United States. " [[60]

Many took these claims seriously. Rifles were purchased in Toledo by Council No. 2 of the APA so that they could defend against the uprising on the feast of Ignatius Loyola. In Toledo, "... Mayor Major...had detachments of the Ohio National Guard on duty continuously for a week, about September 5, 1893, when the uprising of Catholics was expected. During night and day for seven days Ohio soldiers, fully uniformed and armed, stood in readiness at the Toledo armory for any outbreak that might occur." [61]

Back in Omaha, " A rumor somehow found its way into the lodge rooms that the Catholics were drilling nightly at Creighton College -- to take part in the universal massacre of Protestants, said to have been ordered by Pope Leo Xiii. Two emissaries from one of the lodges lay on their faces in the grass, one or two nights, watching the College, but had to report 'Nothing doing' in the line of drilling." [62] This "drilling" was almost certainly done by the Creighton Cadet Corps lead by Edward H. Whelan!

Even when the uprising did not occur, the APA countered that this was just a wily Jesuit trick to keep Protestant defenders off-guard and they would launch a surprise attack at any moment.

From the moment of Edward H. Whelan's arrival in the US, the positions of the APA opposed what was to be his life. Their Declaration of Principals stated that no poor immigrants should be allowed; no minors should be allowed to immigrate; immigrants should not be accepted into any US armed force or State militia; immigrants should not be allowed to vote for seven years; Catholics should not be allowed to hold political office, and Catholic schools should be disallowed. [63]

#  Chapter 6: Creighton University and the Jesuit's Response to the APA

There were likely two Irish Catholic responses to the warfare being waged in Omaha. To an older generation -- like Patrick and John Hickey's -- the APA attack on Irish Catholics would have triggered memories of Protestant oppression and reinforced the beliefs and approach of General O'Neill and Bishop James O'Connor. There would have been an attraction to striking back and in advocating voluntary re-isolation of the Irish immigrants in "colonies" as O'Neill and O'Connor had proposed.

However at Creighton University, the Jesuits -- the very order so despised by the APA -- took a very different approach that would have appealed to a younger, educated and more assimilated Irish Catholic like Edward. The Jesuits decided the best way to fight the APA was by educating others about Catholicism, and demonstrating that Catholics were Americans first.

Funded by the will of wealthy Catholics Edward and Mary Creighton in 1876, Creighton University was built by Bishop James O'Connor. He enlisted the Jesuits to run the university and it opened in 1878. The head of Creighton at the time Edward was there was James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J. who took over in 1891.

Hoeffer faced two grave threats. One was the economic depression -- the "Panic of 1893" -- which caused enrollment to fall dramatically and the University's income to fall from other sources. The University's solvency and continued existence was apparently touch and go.

The second threat was the APA and their claims that " ...Catholics were using politics to get rich, that new convents and churches were being built as fortresses, and parochial schools constituted a great evil because they supposedly taught only religious dogma." [64] In addition to being attacked by the APA's Omaha weekly, the APA-dominated city government harassed the University.

" While the religious war was on, the bigots did all they could to harass the religious institutions, as well as John A. Creighton and other Catholic property holders, by opening streets, changing grades, ordering paving, curbing, guttering and other expensive municipal improvements, which piled up special taxes beyond measure and endurance at a time of great financial distress. This petty persecution affected St. Joseph's Hospital, the Poor Clares and Creighton College. An attempt was made to open 24th Street the whole length of the College grounds, taking the entire strip of 526 feet from the College property, and allowing a ridiculously trifling compensation for the land, and none at all for the ruin of the observatory site and for disfiguring the property by cutting diagonally across the whole College front. This project was thwarted by vigorous protest." [65]

###  Figure 15: James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J.

Hoeffer responded with a public and proactive publicity campaign to educate his fellow citizens in Omaha. He was apparently a gifted speaker and gave a series of lectures about Catholics and the Jesuits. He " ...drew large audiences to the Sunday night lectures given at that time. Some of these were remarkably eloquent and learned. A full report of a magnificent and masterly discourse on 'The Jesuits' was printed in the  Omaha]  Bee in the midst of the A. P. A. excitement." [[66] In addition to Hoeffer, "...Father Thos. E. Sherman gave a notable Lecture on 'True Americanism' in the Exposition Hall to one of the largest and most representative audiences ever assembled in Omaha." [67]

In addition to speeches, the Jesuits at Creighton took other steps like painting their astronomical observatory red, white and blue.

"The American Protective Association, an anti-Catholic group, was especially strong in the Midwest and Omaha in the late 1890s. To counter claims that Catholics were un-American, Creighton University painted the observatory dome red, white, and blue on June 1, 1898 and kept it that way until August 29, 1899. The sections of the dome alternated between red and white and the shutter was adorned with a blue field and white stars." [68]

The scientific head of the observatory, Father Rigge, grumbled  "The walls also would have been similarly painted if I had not protested against this further caricaturing of a scientific building." [69]

###  Figure 16: Construction of Creighton University's observatory in 1886

The formation of the Creighton Cadets in 1893 -- with Edward H. Whelan listed as Instructor -- may also have been an attempt to demonstrate that Creighton was patriotic and civically minded. However, as we read earlier, this appears to have backfired because of the fears it caused related to the alleged insurrection called for by the forged papal encyclical in 1893. Perhaps for that reason the Cadets only lasted that year -- it does not appear in the Creighton 1894/95 catalog. While the Cadets may have been disbanded because of a belief that it increased anti-Catholic anxiety, it may have been terminated simply from lack of interest among students:

Well, the students did not take to the idea with enthusiasm and so the cadets just about dragged along. Whatever enthusiasm was alive was manifested by the most unsoldierly set in the Institution. These worthy sons of Mars were always on hand for the drill and always out of step and order. The Reverend Commandant could not retire them, and they declined a generous furlough." [70]

The APA was ultimately defeated by the late 1890's -- after Edward left Creighton -- by the strategy the Jesuits employed of publicizing Catholic "Americanism", and the bigotry of the APA.

"...the dailies of the city for a time held aloof and tried their best to keep the religious issue out of their columns, seldom admitting the existence of a religious war. About 1895, however, the Omaha Bee came out flat-footed against the bigots and for an entire year offered uncompromising opposition to the party of proscription. They were held up to the public scorn as narrow-minded, bigoted, un-American, intolerant, dishonest, inimical to the welfare of state and city; enemies of free institutions — in a word, the mirror was held up to nature and they were enabled to see themselves as they were." [71]

By 1897, anti-Catholic lectures were sparsely attended and openly ridiculed. It must have helped that the economy was improving and the emotional focus of many began to center on the populist William Jennings Bryan.

We have taken a long time to get here, but I believe this background regarding the Nebraska Fenians and the APA is necessary to understand why Edward J. Hickey changed his name to Edward Hickey Whelan. I believe he and his Hickey relatives disagreed about the wisdom of attending Creighton, remaining associated in name with the U.S. Army, and with the "open" politics of the Jesuits.

Patrick and John Hickey, given their age, education and occupations  (and John's arrest by the British for Fenian activities in Ireland in 1868)  were likely sympathetic to the Fenians that had attacked Canada --- and in so doing opposing the US Army. It is interesting that John gave his youngest son the middle name Emmet in 1898 (Robert Emmett was an epic figure among Irish Nationalists who led an abortive rebellion against the British in 1803). [72] In doing so, John Hickey emulated what the Irish community in Omaha had done in the 1890s by naming "Emmet Street" after the Irish patriot. [73] Patrick and John were also likely sympathetic to the idea of Irish Catholics banding together in Irish colonies and remaining apart from the maelstrom of Omaha politics.

Edward, however, was of a younger generation not vested in Fenian politics or attitudes as he had arrived in the US much later than his Uncles. As we will see, he was proud of his service in the U.S. Army and perhaps grateful for the opportunities it had afforded him. He was inclined towards higher education and, due to his location at Fort Omaha, was living and breathing the Jesuit resistance to the APA. Voluntary re-isolation would not appeal to him from the vantage point of his already assimilated life. He was certainly still proud of his Hickey name -- he retained it as his middle name. But if using his last name would be an obstacle to both his desired path and to the affection of his Hickey relatives, he would simply change it.

All the evidence suggests that Edward and the Hickeys remained close as suggested by my Uncle Tom Whelan's trip to visit Hickey relatives in the 1940s and his continuing friendship with John's descendents. John and Edward H. followed each other from the Omaha area to O'Neill -- Edward by 1898 and John shortly after 1900.  Edward's daughter Claire was the ringbearer and his sons Edmund and Thomas were acolytes in the marriage mass of John's daughter Anna E. Hickey to Martin Stanton in 1916. [74] John Hickey's sons Emmet and Patrick served with Edward and his sons in the O'Neill Home Guards in 1918 (see Figure 29). Finally, e ventually both Edward and his family and a number of Hickey children would migrate to California at about the same time. The disagreement that lead to the name change -- like the existence of the APA itself -- appeared to have been strong for a time, but then quickly over.

#  Chapter 7: Edward Finishes Creighton, Is Once Again A Teacher and Marries

Edward's second year at Creighton, when he moves from the "Class of Humanities" to the "Class of Rhetoric" is another year of academic honors. In what must have been an interesting duel, he and Daniel F. Lee split nearly every subject prize, but Daniel best's Edward for the overall class prize. [75]

###  Figure 17: Creighton Catalog 1894/1895

Edward is also cited as "Next in Merit" in the school wide oratorical contest. Extracurricularly, Edward is on the "Committee on Debates" for the debating society and vice-president of the University Glee Club.

Edward is also reported to have been "captain of Creighton's first football team" during some part of his time at Creighton. There is a team picture with Edward in it. However, a letter to Creighton University's archivist received a response that indicated they could not definitely identify when Creighton had a football team (see Appendix Figure 9).

###  Figure 18: Edward center first row as part of an unidentified football team

Frustratingly the Creighton Catalog for 1895/1896 is not available, so we don't have a clear picture of Edward's graduation or departure from Creighton. He is not listed in the 1896/1897 Catalog, so it seems as if he either graduated in 1895 with a Bachelor of Science -- which was granted to anyone that could "pass satisfactory examination in the Mathematical, Scientific and Philosophical Departments" -- or did not graduate. The Bachelor of Arts degree would have required 4 years -- passing through the the Class of Humanities, Rhetoric (which we know he completed), Philosophy and Poetry. Given his academic prowess, my belief is that he received a Bachelor of Science. Perhaps as a 23 or 24 year old -- with the maturity of Army service -- he was ready to move on.

Family tradition and his obituary suggest that he attended The Saint Paul Seminary School of Divinity in  Saint Paul ,  Minnesota and then perhaps Catholic University in Baltimore from 1895-1897. Saint Paul Seminary was founded by  Archbishop John Ireland in 1894, to provide ordained  priests for the  Upper Midwest . I have not found any documentary evidence to support these claims however.

###  Figure 19: Sister Mary Jean Meier's (daughter of Catherine Hickey Meier) recollections

There is also an oral tradition which may or may not conflict with these claims that Edward taught at the nearby Jesuit Creighton Preparatory School (for high school age students) in Omaha where he met his future wife Susan A. Quilty. [76] Susan may also have been a teacher in O'Neill, however, where Edward would have met her in 1898 when he appears in the Nebraska Education Commissioner's annual report as the principal of the public school in O'Neill, Nebraska. [77]

The O'Neill schoolhouse Edward supervised was a one brick building of 8 rooms with 2 male teachers and 6 female teachers that had 4 graduates that year. Refreshingly, the women's salaries were slightly higher than the men's. Edward makes $765 per year compared to the $480 annual salary of the teachers.

###  Figure 20: Nebraska Commissioner of Education Report

###  Figure 21: Nebraska Commissioner of Education Report on O'Neill School

In 1898, according to Iowa marriage records, Edward married Susan A. Quilty on the 3rd of August in Kellerton, Iowa. [78] Kellerton is roughly 130 miles due east of Omaha. Susan lists her parents' names as Thomas Quilty and Bridget Mulochill.

The Quilty family had been captured earlier in the Census of 1870 [79] and the Iowa State Census of 1885 [80] living in nearby Middlefork, Iowa. Thomas and Bridget were both born in Ireland, were in their 50's in 1885, and farmers at that time. In 1885 Susan was 10 years of age with a 19 year old sister Lizzie and a 13 year-old brother Thomas. In 1900 Susan's father was living in O'Neill, Nebraska with his son-in-law John Golden, his daughter Ellen (known as "Nellie" -- John's wife) and his son Thomas. [81]

In 1899 Edward is again listed as the principal of the O'Neill school in the  Biennial Report of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to the Governor of the State of Nebraska. His salary had increased to $810 per year. [82] He appears on the high school graduation program for the class of 1900 as "Professor E. H. Whelan".
* * *

###  Figure 22: 1900 Graduation program from O'Neill high school

#  Chapter 8: Law School, A Growing Family Politics And The Practice of Law

At this point in his life Edward begins his transition from teacher to attorney and politician. In a speech Edward gave in 1925 -- a eulogy for William Jennings Bryan -- he states that he remembers being in "Uhl's boarding house" in Lincoln, Nebraska reading about William Jennings Bryan's defeat by McKinley in 1900. Importantly, Lincoln is the location of the University of Nebraska Law School [83] .

An alumni journal of the University of Nebraska published in January, 1922 was looking for Edward in the list of "lost" classmates of the graduating year of 1901. [84] In September, 1922, 4 issues after the alumni journal which was looking for Edward from the Class of '01, they list his alumni news in the Class of '02 with a report that he was practicing law in O'Neill (although by 1922 he had already left for California). [85] In the late 1890's/early 1900s the University of Nebraska did indeed have a College of Law and I believe the alumni journals are persuasive that Edward studied there and took steps necessary to be able to practice law after graduation in either '01 or '02.

###  Figure 23: Alumni newsletter from the University of Nebraska looking for Edward H. Whelan in 1922

According  to the 1920 Census, it was also at this time -- 1901 -- that Edward became a naturalized US citizen. It is interesting that he waited roughly 11 years to become a citizen. It was not necessarily unusual for immigration to take this long as US law generally required a minimum of 5 years before an immigrant could become a citizen. It was usually a two step process that required a 2 year waiting period before filing a "Declaration of Intent", and then at least 3 years before filing a "Petition for Naturalization." However, Edward as a US Army veteran could have filed earlier: "An 1862 law allowed honorably discharged Army veterans of any war to petition for naturalization--without previously having filed a declaration of intent--after only 1 year of residence in the United States." [86] There are no easily available records of his naturalization as this was before there was a Federal immigration record keeping system. At that time immigration papers were filed in local court houses which have generally not digitized their records.

In the meantime he and Susan's family was beginning to grow. His oldest son Edmund was born in 1899 and his second son Thomas was born in 1903. My grandfather Vincent Ambrose, his third son, was born in 1904.

Edward apparently first became interested in politics before he entered Creighton in 1892. He recounts that he was visiting his Uncle Patrick in Fremont and idling his time in his Uncle's tailor shop when he read a handbill for a speech by Williams Jenning Bryan on "bimetallism" (expanding the money supply by adding silver to back US dollars in addition to gold -- a form of monetary expansion he supported to mitigate the impact of the depression at that time). Edward said "That event had the force of a religious experience with me. It was my conversion and I longed for the day when I should be old enough to vote for that wonderful man."

In 1904 Edward began his own political career with an unsuccessful run at the Nebraska Attorney General position. [87] He ran as part of the "Fusion" party, which represented both Democrats and Populists. William Jennings Bryan had lost two presidential bids and was not renominated in 1904. Apparently Teddy Roosevelt was so popular that little success was expected by the Democrats/Populists. As Edward stated in his later eulogy for William Jennings Bryan: "So little interest did the Nebraska fusionists take in their state candidates that year...that they nominated your humble servant for attorney general".

###  Figure 24: Edward Whelan eulogy given July, 1925 for William Jennings Bryan

Edward received 87,393 votes against the Republican Norris Brown who received 123,719 votes.

###  Figure 25: Election returns for Nebraska Attorney General race 1904 (upper right)

Edward's family continued to grow. Francis, another son, was born in 1907. His fifth son Charles Quintin Whelan arrived in 1909. Charles used his middle name Quintin as his first name throughout his life. As Edward's fifth son, that name was no coincidence: the name Quintin is a modern form of the Latin name Quintinus whose diminutive form --  Quintus -- means "the fifth". [88] Edward and Susan's last child was a girl: Claire born in 1912.

Edward continued be be politically active and associated with Democrats and Populists. There is a photo of him appearing in O'Neill, Nebraska with William Jennings Bryan in 1908 and in Edward's speech he mentions that he "...sometimes had the great privilege of sitting on the platform with him, as a Simon Pure democrat and Simon Pure Jake Wolffe populist at one and the same time."

###  Figure 26: Edward Whelan with William Jennings Bryan in 1908

His political activity appears to have resulted in his getting the position of County Attorney for Holt County (which contains O'Neill) by 1911 [89] and later that of mayor of O'Neill, Nebraska.

There may be many law books that mention Edward's cases, but I have found only a few.

###  Figure 27: Law citation with Edward as County Attorney for Holt County

He is cited in a 1919 case before the Nebraska Supreme Court as well. [90]

###  Figure 28: Law citation before the Nebraska Supreme Court

#  Chapter 9: Social Organizations, Term as Mayor of O'Neill, And Another Tour With the US Army

As can be inferred from his run for Attorney General and his position as Holt County Attorney, Edward appeared to be gifted at making social connections. He seemed to naturally seek leadership positions at this time in his life.

Edward was active in the Nebraska Knights of Columbus from about 1903 onward. He is first mentioned in their annual report as receiving a disbursement of $19 in 1914. In 1915 he is selected as the District Deputy for the area around O'Neill. In 1916 he is selected as an Alternate State Deputy and a representative to the Supreme Council. He reports that his District has 340 members and is prospering:

"Count Creighton Council initiated a class of forty-two members on November 14. I have just been informed that they have twenty applications on file towards the formation of a new class. During the winter months they put on several very interesting lectures as well as a musical entertainment and the younger members arrange a monthly dance besides an. annual card party and ball. The business and social features of this Council are in a very good condition.

Emerson Council initiated a class of thirty-two members on last Sunday. The class was composed of splendid material and the initiation was extremely edifying and there is a very encouraging revival of interest apparent in this Council.

Hartington Council is preparing a large class for initiation which will be ready for a week from Sunday, the 21st inst. This Council has provided itself with a home and club rooms which are splendidly equipped and a small but rapidly increasing library containing the Catholic Encyclopedia and other standard works of reference and a reading room is supplied with several of the leading Catholic magazines. A noteworthy feature of this Council is the Sunday evening lectures given to the public which are both popular and edifying to the community.

Charles Carroll of Carrollton Council of O'Neill initiated a class of fifty-six members on March 26. With the exception of the charter class initiation more than thirteen years ago, this was the largest class ever incorporated into the O'Neill Council and those who witnessed the initiation say that the quality was in every respect equal to the quantity. This Council controls its $20,000.00 hall in which the Council and its members own a 75 per cent interest, the Board of Directors of the Hall Company are members of the Council. The club rooms are fairly well equipped and there is a nucleus of a library. This Council holds a weekly card tournament except during the summer months and the members are leading factors in the social and educational activities of the community. On account of the great interest developed in connection with the initiation of the large class in March this Council is already looking forward to the formation of a new class in the early fall. This Council also has well equipped degrees teams competent to exemplify the First, Second and Third Degrees. All Councils in the district are provided with proper robes and paraphernalia.

During the past year this district has yielded up some valuable territory on account of the welcome fact that new Councils were instituted at Madison and Norfolk in April and May, respectively, 1915. This territory now belongs to the Albion district of which Dr. McRae has given a most encouraging account. This and the further fact that no new classes were initiatted (sic) in this district for more than eighteen months prior to November, reasonably accounts for the large proportion of suspensions reported by the financial secretaries during the past year. It is a fact which by this time ought to be understood by all observing members that where Councils are unable to initiate at least one class in each year, you will find a lack of interest among the members and a large number of suspensions especially among the associate members.

But as will be seen from the facts above given, in spite of the fact that there have been a large number of suspensions, there is nevertheless a great manifestation in K. of C. circles everywhere throughout this district. This is manifested by the organization of classes in each Council after an interval of about two years of apparent apathy.

And they are going to keep it up. The O'Neill class was a revela- (sic) to many. The fifty-six candidates, with only two exceptions were young men, about one-third of them were the sons or baby brothers of old members of our Council. Of course they went in as insurance members, which was so much better for them. When our Council was chartered in 1903, some of these "kids" were in petticoats, and now they are hailing us "brothers." But we feel that our future is assured. The rising generation will fill the gaps. The birth rate among our people is so far in excess of the death rate that we can count on quite a respectable class of candidates each year without going outside of our own families.

Individual members of the Order in all parts of the district are going forward in business, social and public life. Our Order, by its elevating effects upon their life and character, has helped them and they have in turn done credit to the Order.

With our large membership, our sure prospect of recruiting the ranks, our large accumulation of property and money, there is no fear but that we are--firmly established upon a solid foundation, and we turn or faces to the future with cheerfulness, courage and the confidence of enduring success.

Respectfully submitted, E. H. WHELAN, District Deputy."

In 1917 he is added to the Knights of Columbus Nebraska Committee on Resolutions.

From May, 1917 to October, 1918 Edward is elected and serves as Mayor of O'Neill Nebraska. [91] Edward was also active in the creation of what was originally Company A of the O'Neill Home Guards. He sent a letter to Keith Neville, Governor of Nebraska, advising him of the creation of the Company, sent a completed application to bear arms, and a copy of the purchase order for rifles and uniforms for the unit. In November, 1917 seventy one men from O'Neill signed up for the Home Guards. Ed's sons Edmund D. and Anselm Thomas were privates in the Company, as were John Hickey's sons Emmet and Patrick. Edward H Whelan was Captain and Company commander of the unit. [92] This unit was ultimately part of the Nebraska National Guard 5th Regiment, Company D according to Edward's pension records that was Federalized and incorporated in the regular Army to fight the First World War.

"At the time war was declared with Germany the Nebraska national guard consisted of the fourth and fifth regiments of infantry a signal company and a field hospital... All of these organizations were drafted into the federal service under call of the president on August 5 1917 With the exception of field hospital No 1 the Nebraska units were sent to Camp Cody Deming NM and assigned to the 34th division... In accordance with the program of the war department all of these organizations were re-designated.... The 5th infantry containing its infantry organization was designated the 134th infantry... Company D to the 109th sanitary train...." [93] A "sanitary train" was the term used for what would be today called the "medical battalion."

Except for those members who were substituted to fill losses in other divisions, the 34th Division did not see action as a unit.  "The 34th Division remained in training at Camp Cody, New Mexico, until, Sept., 1918.

###  Figure 29: Formation of the O'Neill Home Guard [94]

The first units sailed for overseas on Sept. 16, 1918, via England, and the last units arrived in France on Oct. 24, 1918. Upon arrival in France, the division was ordered to the Le Mans area where it was broken up. In the early part of December, the division began its return to the United States by individual units." [95]

Other than the fact that he is listed as a Captain in the infantry in the August, 1919 list of officers of the Reserve Corps, we don't know much about Edward's military record in World War I. [96] Given Edward's term as Mayor of O'Neill, I wonder if he ever was at Camp Cody or overseas. It is hard to know. Family tradition has it that he spent time at Fort Riley, Kansas. There are references to draftees of the 134th Infantry being

###  Figure 30: O'Neill Home Guards [97]

sourced from Camp Funston at Fort Riley, Kansas. [98] However I find no record of Edward in the Camp Funston directory of that time (and have not found a Camp Cody directory). Camp Funston's principal purpose was to train midwestern soldiers. It was also one of the principal mustering out points following the war (and reportedly the site of the outbreak of the influenza pandemic). [99] Given Edward's age of approximately 46 and prior occupation as a teacher, it is feasible that his entire World War I experience was at Fort Riley, but this is simply speculation based on oral tradition. My mother has a regimental unit photograph with Edward that agrees with his pension record's unit designation, but the location of the photo is not indicated.

###  Figure 31: Edward Whelan listed in Officers' Reserve Corps, August, 1919

###  Figure 32: Captain Edward Hickey Whelan, Officers' Reserve Corps 1919

After the war, Edward resumed his active leadership role in the Knights of Columbus. In 1919 he was chosen as the State Deputy to head the Nebraska Knights. At the Sixteenth Annual State Council of the Knights of Columbus, held at Norfolk, May 25, 1920, the "Convention was called to order in due form by Worthy State Deputy Edward H. Whelan of O'Neill". [100] The 2nd resolution passed was "...That we extend our most heartfelt congratulations to Hon. E. H. Whelan, State Deputy, upon the signal success of his administration as head of our beloved Order in the state during the year about to close and to assure him of the continued friendship and confidence of every true Knight in Nebraska."

His popularity was evident by the ease with which he was selected as State Deputy again for another term: " Thereupon Worthy State Deputy announced that nominations would be received for State Deputy, and Past State Deputy George F. Corcoran placed in nomination for office the name of Edward H. Whelan of O'Neill, present State Deputy. The nomination was seconded by a number of delegates, and on motion of Brother. W. J. McNichols of Lexington, duly seconded, nominations were closed and Brother Edward H. Whelan was re-elected to the office of State Deputy for the ensuing year by unanimous vote."

Edward's social activities were not limited to the Knights of Columbus. Almost immediately after Congress charters the American Legion to serve the war weary veterans of World War I, Edward founded the first American Legion post in O'Neill. [101] Edward was the first Post Commander in 1919-1920. There were 16 charter members including Edward and his son Edmund. His action supports the belief that he was proud of his US Army service.

###  Figure 33:  From Before Today -- A History of Holt County , by Nellie Snyder Yost, 1976
* * *

###

###

###  Figure 34: From the  History of the Nebraska American Legion

# 

#  Chapter 10: A Final Irish Appeal

On October 28, 1919, Edward was called upon to deliver a speech commemorating General John O'Neill at the unveiling of a monument at his gravesite in Omaha, Nebraska. [102] A principal attendee was Eamon de Valera -- the President of Sinn Fein.

De Valera had taken part in the Easter Rising in 1916 in Dublin and was sentenced to death following the failure of the uprising. He was the only commander of the Rising that was not executed, partially due to the fact that he was an American citizen. In 1917 he was released under an amnesty program and elected president of Sinn Fein. "Sinn Fein won a huge majority in the 1918 general election, largely thanks to the British executions of the 1916 leaders, the threat of conscription with the Conscription   Crisis of 1918 and the first past the post ballot." [103] De Valera with 72 other Irish nationalists were re-arrested in May 1918, apparently as part of a German espionage charge fabricated by the British. However, he along with several others, escaped from Lincoln Gaol in England in February 1919 using prison keys duplicated by the IRA.  "On the 8th of March the British had released the rest of the German Plot prisoners and de Valera was able to return to a hero's welcome in Dublin. By June Éamon de Valera was in America addressing the public and meeting politicians much to the embarrassment of the British." [104] Eamon de Valera's trip to the US was a fundraising mission for Sinn Fein and the newly formed IRA.

Edward, as former mayor of O'Neill Nebraska was a logical choice to give the speech praising General O'Neill. He eulogized O'Neill's valor, commitment to Irish independence and his work in trying to bring poor Irish immigrants to Nebraska.

###  Figure 35: Site of Edward's speech in the presence of Eamon de Valera, October 1919

Whether to allay fears regarding this IRA fundraising event or because he truly believed in nonviolence, Edward made an interesting distinction in his speech between the Fenians' and de Valera's "approach":

"The outside world called them Fenians. Thoughts, opinions and methods were different then. Passive resistance - moral force was not known; physical force was everything. It remained for the Sinn Fein party and his Excellency President de Valera to teach the Irish and the world the value of moral force. The Fenians were a physical force party. In fact they were a physical force  army . Every Fenian was a soldier ready to fight and die for Ireland. At the close of the Civil War thousands upon thousands of Irish-American soldiers were sworn into the Fenian ranks."

Whatever Edward's motives, it is undeniable that this event -- along with many others de Valera participated in before returning to Ireland at the end of 1920 -- raised over $5 million dollars and that most of those funds went to IRA coffers to help fund their paramilitary activities.

His contact with de Valera was not a one-time occurrence. Edward kept in contact with him in his role as State Deputy of the Nebraska Knights of Columbus when Edward successfully maneuvered for both written and financial resources from the Knights in support of Ireland despite opposition from Canadian delegates (the old Fenian opponents!). Edward's describes the maneuvering of the Nebraska delegation that he lead:

"Among the meritorious activities of Nebraska Knighthood must be included the courageous effort of Grand Knight Frank J. Kain of Creighton, unanimously supported by the entire membership of Count Creighton Council, to enlist the Supreme Officers in behalf of suffering Ireland. The correspondence on this question has been printed and circulated by the Creighton Council, and it shows upon its face that this council, in the interchange of letters and arguments with the Supreme Advocate, had decidedly the best of the controversy. And it bore fruit, for no sooner had the last letter of Brother Kain been received at headquarters, than telegrams from the Supreme Knight were dispatched all over the country calling upon the state officers to enter vigorously into the campaign for Irish relief, In my opinion, the thanks of this State Council should be expressed and recorded toward Brother Kain and his council for their determined and successful efforts on behalf of the heroic victims of the most heartless and damnable militarism that has ever yet cursed the earth.

The eloquent resolution adopted by the last Supreme Council in New York City has often been referred to with pride. This resolution was written and its passage advocated in a masterful speech by the brilliant Joseph Scott of Los Angeles, lately Knighted by the Holy Father. But Nebraska Knights, at least, ought to he informed that your Nebraska delegation drove the opening wedge for the passage of a resolution of this advanced character, after the matter had been considered closed with the brief and colorless paragraph read by Brother Gallagher of Massachussetts (sic). We were afterwards informed that a more positive stand might hurt the feelings of the numerous Canadian delegates, and of some of our own who were bound in various ways to the Washington administration of that time. Among these was Mr. Gallagher, himself, Chairman of the Committee on Good of the Order, to which the Irish question had been referred. We, however, objected to the weakness of the paragraph offered and, indeed, already passed, and the Irish matter supposedly disposed of. We offered a hastily prepared and strongly worded amendment in which, I remember, was a clause requesting the President of the United States to express, diplomatically, to the British Ambassador, this nation's disapproval of the massacre which, from my knowledge of the Irish situation, I could see was just about to begin. And we know now that it did begin and has been continued with increasing brutality to the present moment. On the preceding Saturday I had the privilege of talking with President De Valera, it being the occasion of the sailing of Archbishop Mannix, and he informed me of the holocaust of destruction that England was just then preparing.

However, the Nebraska amendment, being offered from the floor, could not be considered without unanimous consent, and this was denied. But in the discussion it came out that a letter on the subject had just been received from De Valera, and the final result was, that by leaving the Canadian delegates out of the voting, and through the brilliant logic of Joseph Scott, on the following morning a more manly resolution was adopted." [105]

Apparently as a consequence of his success in garnering the support of the Knights of Columbus, Edward was named to the National Council of the American Committee for Relief In Ireland in 1921. In the ACRI's reports they gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the Knights of Columbus. And the Nebraska delegation's desire to have a statement from the President of the United States appears to have been successful as the ACRI's report includes an endorsement from both President Harding and Vice President Coolidge.

The mission of the ACRI is repeated here:

"In Ireland to-day thousands of women and children have been driven to the pitiful refuge of the fields and open country. Balbriggan, Granard, Tralee, Templemore, Trim, Tobercurry, Lisburn, Thurles, Mallow, and numerous other towns and villages have been burned and are partly or wholly in ruins. In Cork alone acres of business buildings and homes have been wiped out by fire.

Over forty creameries, the co-operative plants of great and small communities, built by Irish farmers, have been razed to the ground, and the economic units they served have been paralyzed. Thousands of workers have been thrown out of employment by the burning of factories and creameries, and in consequence of the generally disturbed conditions in Belfast alone, thirty thousand persons, shipyard workers and their families, are on the verge of starvation. The transportation system has broken down, so that it is difficult to distribute even such supplies as are available in Ireland.

To meet this appalling situation, and to cope with it before it reaches a point where it may menace the very existence of the Irish people, the American Committee for Relief in Ireland has been formed. This Committee is a non-political ;and non-sectarian body, solely humanitarian in aim, which seeks the cooperation of all those in whom human suffering evokes sympathy. This American Committee purposes to supply relief to the women and children in Ireland, without regard to political or religious distinctions, through trained relief workers, distributing foodstuffs, clothing, building materials, and medical stores.

The suffering and the helpless in Ireland seek aid from the American people, who have never yet refused an appeal from the suffering and helpless. To relieve the bitter need of the Irish people, we confidently appeal for aid to the humanity of America.

There is little to add to the above, save to point out that Ireland is virtually the only place in the world where the destruction of resources has been continuous. Today industry is paralyzed in Ireland, and the greater part of the able-bodied male population is leading a hunted and fugitive existence. If present conditions continue unrelieved, the Irish race in Ireland faces virtual annihilation. We are confident that Americans of every class and creed will respond promptly to avert the terrible fate menacing a people to whom they are so closely bound by ties of kinship and of common heritage." [106]

President Harding came to regret his endorsement of the ACRI which offended the British who saw it as implied support for Sinn Fein. While the aid that was raised was not distributed directly to the Irish government, but instead through the Irish White Cross, the purpose of the aid began to be questioned. By March of 1921 the American Consul Frederick Dumont was sending dispatches to the State Department indicating that the ACRI had been naively exploited by the Irish White Cross because it was dominated by Sinn Fein. Dumont said "'It can be stated with confidence that they are to be used to relieve the treasury of Sinn Fein...permitting it to devote its funds entirely to the forwarding of the revolutionary movement in Ireland' The recipients of the relief, Dumont asserted, were the families of the leading members of Sinn Fein who would have been on the Dail Eireann payroll had there been sufficient amounts in the treasury." [107] So again, intentionally or not, Edward's efforts implicitly helped fund the Sinn Fein and its paramilitary arm the IRA.

#  Chapter 11: The Whelan's Move To San Diego

While Edward was elected for a second term as State Deputy of the Knights of Columbus in May, 1920, he missed the opening (and perhaps all) of the Knight's Council in Lincoln, Nebraska the following year -- 1921 -- as he had moved to San Diego. He explained:

"2813 Imperial Ave., San Diego, Cal., May 20, 1921.

Presiding Officer, State Council, Knights of Columbus, "In Convention, Lincoln, Neb.

"Dear Sir and Brother:--Just as I was ready to leave for Lincoln, my thirteen-year-old boy, Francis, met with a painful accident yesterday morning, and I cannot tell until tomorrow, at least, whether it would be right for me to leave at all. The accident may not amount to anything, but the doctor says there is some slight danger of blood poisoning. As we are among entire strangers here, I do not like to leave the family under the circumstances. But if the signs are right, I will leave tomorrow night and arrive in Lincoln Tuesday. That would be the best I could do.

"I am enclosing my report, which please read or have read to the convention, and kindly explain to the delegates why I am detaained (sic).

"I am sure Judge Corcoran will be present to open the convention and proceed with the order of business, so that my absence will not delay matters in any way. I am taking it for granted that he will preside, as, without taking the time to look it up, I am pretty sure that is the intent of the law.

"Furthermore, if I cannot return to the state immediately, I will promptly turn over to the new State Deputy all the functions of the Office as soon as I am advised of his election, so that the work may he taken up progressively without further delay. With best wishes,

Fraternally yours,

"E. H. WHELAN."

He describes his move to San Diego in 1920/early 1921 as "unexpected":

"I regret that uncontrolled circumstances occasioned my absence from the state during the greater part of the year, and I wish to thank the membership, especially the officers--Grand Knights and District Deputies--for the activity, progress and loyalty which they have displayed during this absence. In extenuation of my own negligence I can only say that at the time of my reelection I had no idea that the best part of my term would be spent in sunny California, and that if I had so known I should certainly not have accepted the re-election." [108]

Edward mentions that he taught for a month at one of the Knights of Columbus schools in San Diego in late 1920/early 1921:

"The Knights of Columbus schools are undoubtedly doing a splendid work. It was my privilege to teach for a month In the San Diego school during the past winter. The schools are being conducted upon a broad and American basis, without any mention being made or preference given on account of religion, or the lack of it. Sometimes, and I believe quite frequently, the principals and male teachers are not either Knights of Columbus or Catholics. The principal of the San Diego school, Mr. W. J. Stanton, is a fourteenth degree Mason. So no complaint that this order is using its surplus war fund for proselyting (sic) purposes can be sustained, at any rate." [109]

It is hard to know what prompted Edward's move to San Diego. Edward mentions that the Nebraska economy is doing especially poorly in a post-war time characterized by declining economic activity, stock market losses (22% drop from March, 1920 to December, 1920) and high unemployment.  Edward may have learned about California from John Hickey and his wife Anna who had visited California as early as 1918. [110]

Oral tradition indicates that Edward knew his sons would likely go into the legal profession, but felt there were insufficient opportunities for all of them in O'Neill. In fact the 1920 Census indicates Edward had already moved from O'Neil to Ward 9 in Omaha. Friends of his from O'Neill -- the Goldens (Mary Golden was listed as a "cousin" living with Edward and Susan in Nebraska in 1910 and Susan's sister Ellen was "Mrs. John Golden") and the Stannards -- had already moved out to San Diego. Wanting to keep the family together, Edward reportedly followed their lead. [111]

Whatever the reason, the San Diego City directory and other documents show he is fully settled in San Diego by 1922. His sons Edmund (a clerk), Thomas (clerk with Union Title), and Vincent (a stenographer) are also listed separately in the directory, but living with Edward at 500 20th Street.

###  Figure 36: 1922 San Diego City Directory

#  Chapter 12: In San Diego In The 1920's and 1930's

There are fewer documentary mileposts for the remainder of Edward's life after 1921. Those that exist paint a picture of a continuing legal practice and intellectual pursuits. In September, 1922, Edward has a Letter to the Editor published in "America: A Catholic Review Of The Week": [112]

###  Figure 37: Letter to The Editor in "America -- A Catholic Review Of The Week"

In February of 1923 he self-publishes a book entitled  Evolution, God and Immortality -- A New Philosophy; How Science Answers the Cosmic Problem . [113] I can find no reviews or discussion of the book other than those on the book jacket. It would be quite interesting to read for a glimpse into his thinking at the time.

###  Figure 38: Cover of Edward H. Whelan's Book Self-Published in 1923

###  Figure 39: Book jacket of Edward H. Whelan's Book Self-Published in 1923

In 1926 he has two letters to the editor published in the journal "The Nation A Weekly Journal Devoted To Politics, Literature, Science, Drama, Music, Art and Industry." One is critical of Prohibition and disputes the claim that it has decreased "amorousness", and the other defends Catholics against the claim that they objected to the name of the St. Louis Cardinals. [114]

###  Figure 40: Edward H. Letter to the Editor of The Nation, June 1926

###  Figure 41: Edward H. Letter to the Editor of The Nation, November 1926

Also in the 1920's there is a family story that Edward took part in organizing an ecumenical group of civic leaders to hold a protest march against a nascent Klu Klux Klan movement in San Diego. The KKK's propaganda would have been very familiar to Edward as it mimicked the anti-immigrant, anti-Catholic propaganda of the APA in Omaha in the 1890s. In this case, however, much of the anti-immigrant bigotry of the KKK was focused against the Hispanic community.

"The resurgence of Klan activity in San Diego in the 1920s was led by descendants of old American stock. 5 They presented themselves as defenders of Christian morality and law enforcement, and they were also chosen to be members of grand juries where they were able to influence district attorneys. 6 About 1922, the active branch of the K.K.K. in San Diego was the Exalted Cyclops of San Diego No. 64. It flourished throughout the county. 7 The Klan center was a large hall west of 30th Street near Idaho Street and University Boulevard in North Park. The San Diego chapter flourished even while the national Klan headquarters was overwhelmed with problems of graft, mismanagement, and personal clashes." [115]

Edward's help in organizing a public demonstration as an effective way to bring the KKK out of the shadows and illuminate their hate-filled racism was right out of the Jesuit and Omaha Bee copybook. Unfortunately, other than confirmation that the KKK did attempt to grow in San Diego in the 1920s, I don't have access to newspaper records that might validate the family story. Even if I did have access, apparently newspapers were reluctant to cover Klan activities in San Diego, not wanting to mar the city's idyllic image. [116]

In the 1930 Census he and Susan are still living on Twentieth Street in San Diego with all 6 of their children ranging from 30 year old Edmund to 18 year old Claire (see Appendix Figure 4). Edward's choice of legal profession proves to have a profound impact on his children: Edmund worked in the court system; Thomas served as DA for San Diego; Vincent served on the California Court of Appeals; Francis was a Federal judge in Los Angeles; Quintin was a lawyer, as was Claire's husband Roy Fitzgerald.

###  Figure 42: Current View of 500 20th Street, San Diego

As late as September, 1931, Edward is noted in a California Court of Appeal case "Cushing v. Levi" arguing with Anthony Procopio against "Stearns, Luce Forward". [117] The last entry I have for Edward before his death is the Index of Indian War Pensions that was filed on October 3, 1932 (Figure 3). His death is reported as occurring on January 26th, 1936 at the age of 62. [118]

Edward's life speaks for itself. He was clearly someone of fortitude to cross the Atlantic and make a life in America. He was patriotic enough to serve in the US Army twice, and start an American Legion post. He was well educated enough to teach, become a lawyer, write scholarly articles and a book. He was socially adept enough to be elected Mayor of O'Neill, head of the Nebraska Knights of Columbus and interact with Ireland's future prime minister, Eamon de Valera.

He was empathetic to Ireland's distress -- perhaps naively so to the extent he helped raise money for the IRA. He undoubtedly intended to hold to a high moral code, however. His politics appeared to focus on helping those without much. He was fond of the Catholic church and seemed to embrace a form of Catholic socialism in which the rights of workers were supported and workers would earn shares in the businesses they worked in (see Appendix Figure 8 for more). He opposed bigotry.

He lived in a fascinating time of Irish, Catholic and immigrant politics. Importantly, however, his world view did not dwell on the past: he viewed himself as an American and taught his children to do the same. And finally, he and Susan raised their children successfully as judged by the accomplishments in their lives. Edward lived life well and fully.
* * *

###  Figure  43 : Edward Whelan's obituary with a "version" of his life
* * *

#  Epilogue: Remaining mysteries and alternate hypotheses

The biggest remaining blank spot is what happened to Edward's parents Denis and Mary. Edward's Massachusetts connection is also still somewhat mysterious. On the census reports of 1900 and 1930, he reports that he was born in Massachusetts (as does his obituary). However the documentary records I've found don't support that version of events, and Edward himself reports he was born in Ireland in the 1910 and 1920 reports.  We have hints that could corroborate the oral tradition that his parents lived briefly in Massachusetts and then returned to Ireland where they both died --- but no definitive proof.

Documents do show that Edward H's aunt Margaret and uncles John, Patrick and Daniel spent time living around Webster, Massachusetts. There is also a family photo of Edward H.'s cousin -- Ed Hickey (son of Edward's uncle Daniel) and his family in Lawrence, Massachusetts. It was taken in 1915 on a trip John Hickey took to visit his Massachusetts relatives. Thus Edward H. clearly did have Massachusetts roots and may well have stopped in Massachusetts on his way to Nebraska in 1890.

In fairness I should also mention an alternate theory to the one I argue for regarding Edward's adoption of his mother's maiden name. I argue that he uses Whelan because he is more assimilated than his Hickey relatives and sympathetic with the "American" approach of the Jesuits against the American Protective Association anti-Irish Catholic bigotry in Omaha.

However if I have misread the situation, perhaps he was just as much of a "Fenian" as the the Hickeys and took the name Whelan for its association with an infamous Fenian Patrick J. Whelan (see Figure 41). As we see from his Knights of Columbus State Deputy report and his involvement with the American Committee for Relief In Ireland, he remained sympathetic to Ireland and its fight for independence.

However, I believe my argument better resonates with the oral tradition that the Hickey family objected to having the Hickey name associated with the Army that Edward served in twice. I believe it also fits with the Jesuits feeling comfortable enough with him to offer him a teaching position at Creighton Preparatory School according to family stories. Finally, it also fits the pattern of Edward's life that gravitated towards civic involvement over rebellion. Notably Edward never names any of his children after noted Irish rebels like his Uncle John did with his son Emmet.

###  Figure 44: Excerpt from  The Republic of Canada Almost By Patrick Richard Carstens and Timothy L. Sanford
* * *

#  Acknowledgments

I would like to thank my Uncle Tom Whelan for pointing me to the Hickey family in Nebraska. Thanks to my cousin once-removed, Nick Whelan for pointing me to General O'Neill, the Fenians and Edward's book. I am also grateful to my mother, Barbara Whelan, for her interest, encouragement and willingness to pour through family files.  I am especially grateful to Neil Van Houten, a great grandson of Edward's uncle John Hickey (through John's daughter Anna Elizabeth Hickey), who has done extensive research on the entire Hickey family. He contacted me after seeing an earlier edition of this book and generously shared his research and history of the Hickey family. He has gathered primary materials from a visit to Nebraska where he had an opportunity to talk with John's last living granddaughter. His material gave me a much clearer picture of the entire Hickey family, Edward's activities in O'Neal (Home Guards and American Legion) and the extent of the close relations between Edward H. and his uncle John. The copy of John Hickey's obituary Neal shared with me was very helpful in providing documentation of John's Fenian sympathies.  I am also grateful to my wife Jan and our children as they were very patient as I talked on and on about "Edward H." I am also very appreciative for all the kind souls (including those of the LDS) who spend so much time digitizing records and written material and making it available on the internet. Without their efforts, this inquiry into Edward's life would not have been possible.
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#  Appendix Figure 1: 1900 Census

#  Appendix Figure 2: 1910 Census

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#  Appendix Figure 3: 1920 Census

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#  Appendix Figure 4: 1930 Census

#  Appendix Figure 5: Summary of Marriage Certificate Between Edward Whelan and Susie A. Quilty

mentioned in the record of Edward H. Whelan and Susie A. Quilty

Name: | Edward H. Whelan

---|---

Event Type: | Marriage

Event Date: | 03 Aug 1898

Event Place: | Kellerton, Ringgold, Iowa, United States

Age: | 26

Birthplace: | Ireland

Father's Name: | Dennis Whelan

Mother's Name: | Mary Whelan

Spouse's Name: | Susie A. Quilty

Spouse's Birth Year (Estimated): | 1873

Spouse's Birthplace: | Missouri

Spouse's Father's Name: | Thomas Quilty

Spouse's Mother's Name: | Bridget Mulochill

Reference ID: v 3072 p 56 , GS Film Number:  , Digital Folder Number:

Source:  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XJDQ-VRB

#  Appendix Figure 6: Birth Certificate of Edmond Hickey

Edmond Hickey

Ireland Births and Baptisms

Name: | Edmond Hickey

---|---

Gender: | Male

Birth Date: | 09 Jan 1873

Birthplace: | Ireland

Father's Name: | Denis Hickey

Mother's Name: | Mary Whelan Hickey

Indexing Project (Batch) Number: I01662-8 , System Origin: Ireland-EASy , GS Film number:  , Reference ID: 117

Source:  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGB9-6P8
* * *

#  A ppendix Figure 7: Draft registration of Edward Whelan's oldest son

#  Appendix Figure 8: Proceedings of the Seventeenth Annual State Council (Knights of Columbus), Held at Lincoln, May 23-24,1921

http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/religion/catholic/nekofc/pages/nekc0337.htm

Report of State Deputy

The report of the State Deputy being the next in regular order of business, the State Secretary was instructed to and did read the following report of the Worthy State Deputy, Edward H. Whelan: Brothers of the State Council:

I regret that uncontrolled circumstances occasioned my absence from the state during the greater part of the year, and I wish to thank the membership, especially the officers--Grand Knights and District Deputies--for the activity, progress and loyalty which they have displayed during this absence. In extenuation of my own negligence I can only say that at the time of my reelection I had no idea that the best part of my term would be spent in sunny California, and that if I had so known I should certainly not have accepted the re-election. However, It is well ordained that no one man is necessary to the success of any society, least of all to such a progressive, active, intelligent and loyal body as the Nebraska Knights of Columbus.

In spite of the depressing industrial situation, the order as a whole has achieved splendid numerical progress. On April 1, 1921, it had a membership of 730,202, showing a gain of nearly 100,000 since the corresponding date in 1920.

Nebraska is one of the states that suffered most by the economic reversal, yet here, in spite of numerous transfers and lapses, the membership shows a net gain of some 600, our total membership on April 1, 1921, having been 11,124; and the gaining process is still going on with the institution of new councils and the initiation of new classes in the established councils. From my observation of other states I can say that no jurisdiction presents a healthier condition of Knighthood than our own state of Nebraska.

You will remember that a year ago at Norfolk, Father Flannagan came before you with a request for your support for his home for boys, and you responded suitably and properly. But the rseponse (sic) that you made when he, with his representative boys, came personally into your parishes, was generous beyond all expectation. It is much to your credit and to the credit of all Catholics of Nebraska that the performance far excelled the promise. A repetition of the request this year will undoubtedly evoke a similarly generous response.

Regarding the sum of $4,160 war funds which you donated outright to Father Flannagan's Home, I suppose I ought to tell you that we were casually criticized by one of the Supreme Officers for making this transfer, as it was contended that the sum should have been paid into the National War Fund. Anyhow, they let it pass, and if they are satisfied, manifestly we are also. The money could not have been applied to a beter (sic) cause, and my only regret is that the sum was not ten times greater.

Among the meritorious activities of Nebraska Knighthood must be included the courageous effort of Grand Knight Frank J. Kain of Creighton, unanimously supported by the entire membership of Count Creighton Council, to enlist the Supreme Officers in behalf of suffering Ireland. The correspondence on this question has been printed and circulated by the Creighton Council, and it shows upon its face that this council, in the interchange of letters and arguments with the Supreme Advocate, had decidedly the best of the controversy. And it bore fruit, for no sooner had the last letter of Brother Kain been received at headquarters, than telegrams from the Supreme Knight were despatched all over the country calling upon the state officers to enter vigorously into the campaign for Irish relief, In my opinion, the thanks of this State Council should be expressed and recorded toward Brother Kain and his council for their determined and successful efforts on behalf of the heroic victims of the most heartless and damnable militarism that has ever yet cursed the earth.

The eloquent resolution adopted by the last Supreme Council in New York City has often been referred to with pride. This resolution was written and its passage advocated in a masterful speech by the brilliant Joseph Scott of Los Angeles, lately Knighted by the Holy Father. But Nebraska Knights, at least, ought to he informed that your Nebraska delegation drove the opening wedge for the passage of a resolution of this advanced character, after the matter had been considered closed with the brief and colorless paragraph read by Brother Gallagher of Massachussetts (sic). We were afterwards informed that a more positive stand might hurt the feelings of the numerous Canadian delegates, and of some of our own who were bound in various ways to the Washington administration of that time. Among these was Mr. Gallagher, himself, Chairman of the Committee on Good of the Order, to which the Irish question had been referred. We, however, objected to the weakness of the paragraph offered and, indeed, already passed, and the Irish matter supposedly disposed of. We offered a hastily prepared and strongly worded amendment in which, I remember, was a clause requesting the President of the United States to express, diplomatically, to the British Ambassador, this nation's disapproval of the massacre which, from my knowledge of the Irish situation, I could see was just about to begin. And we know now that it did begin and has been continued with increasing brutality to the present moment. On the preceding Saturday I had the privilege of talking with President De Valera, it being the occasion of the sailing of Archbishop Mannix, and he informed me of the holocaust of destruction that England was just then preparing.

However, the Nebraska amendment, being offered from the floor, could not be considered without unanimous consent, and this was denied. But in the discussion it came out that a letter on the subject had just been received from De Valera, and the final result was, that by leaving the Canadian delegates out of the voting, and through the brilliant logic of Joseph Scott, on the following morning a more manly resolution was adopted.

You will remember that our last State Council instructed its delegates to the Supreme Council to present the name of our Honorable Past State Deputy as a candidate for the Board of Directors. We carried out your instructions faithfully and vigorously, in the face of rather discouraging odds, for upon our arrival in New York (and the writer was there five days before the convention opened) we were informed that the slate was already full. Our candidate was unfortunate in not having received the O. K. of those whom the majority in such conventions are accustomed to support. To save space in this report I will explain to you orally what was done. Nevertheless, in obedience to your instructions, we presented his name, and although in a touching speech Judge Corcoran pleaded to have his name withdrawn from the balloting, a step to which the balance of the delegation objected, he received a most flattering vote, and paved the way for more favorable action in the future.

On the general activities of the order, I have a very good printed circular from the Supreme Officers, parts of which could well have been copied into this report. As the circular is rather lengthy, however, I will place it on file here so that every delegate may have access to it. Parts of it I will quote and discuss.

It informs us that the total receipts to date from the war fund amount to over 42 millions, of which over 33 millions have been spent, leaving a balance of over 9 millions of dollars in the war fund. This sum, we are told, has been "dedicated and set aside for the extension of our educational facilities and hospital work for ex-service men." The Knights of Columbus schools are undoubtedly doing a splendid work. It was my privilege to teach for a month In the San Diego school during the past winter. The schools are being conducted upon a broad and American basis, without any mention being made or preference given on account of religion, or the lack of it. Sometimes, and I believe quite frequently, the principals and male teachers are not either Knights of Columbus or Catholics. The principal of the San Diego school, Mr. W. J. Stanton, is a fourteenth degree Mason. So no complaint that this order is using its surplus war fund for proselyting (sic) purposes can be sustained, at any rate.

Regarding the nine million dollars still remaining in the fund, I presume, from the premises, that some of you are quite as well pleased as if the five millions offered to another organization to erect a war memorial at Washington had been accepted. You understand, of course, that this offer was not made by the Supreme Council, nor did the convention have any idea that it was about to be made. The offer was made by the Board of Directors. This board, as you know, has been made the real governing body and executive of the order. The Supreme Council is the legislative body, although many of the laws proposed in the Supreme Council are referred to this Board. The Supreme Council, or national convention, as we call it, is, therefore, an assembly of somewhat limited powers.

The circular of the Supreme Secretary explains at some length the campaign which this order is financing against Bolshevism under all its names. The order, has a very able staff of lecturers, Peter W. Collins, David Goldstein, Dr. James J. Walsh and D. Conde B. Pallen, some of whom have been heard in this state. I have never had the privilege of hearing any of these gentlemen, but there can be no question about the scholarship of Drs. Walsh and Pallen. One of the statements of the Supreme Secretary in this connection is 'noteworthy.

Speaking of the questions asked the speakers, he says: "The bulk of them were based on a prejudice that organized religion was the foil and support of predatory wealth." Personally, I can testify to the existence of this prejudice among the workers. I have encountered it upon various occasions. It can be felt in labor meetings, and in the public parks and squares of the larger cities, and wherever a group of workingmen get together. The sentiment is spread in various ways, even by radical songs, of which the following refrain is typical:

"Work and pray, live on hay;

You'll get pie in the sky

When you die."

The Catholic Church is and always has been the church of the poor. As Catholics we cannot consistently be opposed to the rights of labor. The committee of American bishops, whose report was adopted by the Supreme Council at Buffalo in 1919, favors the giving to every mechanic an interest in the business he works in, and ownership of the tools he works with. This ownership was the rule in the old days of the Guilds, before the Reformation. Labor never had a more sincere friend than the late Pope Leo XIII, nor has it a stouter defender than Dr. John A. Ryan of the Catholic University of Washington.

The Catholic Church in Ireland, which is without doubt the most unadulterated and vigorous body of Catholics In the world, has for fifty years been aligned on the side of labor and small property. The best friends of Ireland in the British Isles are the labor parties of Great Britain. If labor were in power in England today, Ireland would be free, as it should be. For the Irish struggle is not only a fight for political freedom, but even more a fight against land monopoly and economic oppression. It began as a land league, and as a land and industrial league it goes on to victory. De Valera, Griffith, Plunket and their colleagues are not a mere band of poetic patriots; quite the contrary, they are a group of economic philosophers; and they have the sympathy of every progressive thinker in the world. Why --if you will pardon me for mentioning it here --even The Appeal to Reason is an enthusiastic supporter of the cause of the Irish Republic.

Now the Catholics of England do not take these views of economic or industrial questions at all. In so far as they are English, they are generally Tories and on the opposite side to the Irish upon almost every question that arises. And wealthy Catholics in all European countries are generally aligned upon the conservative side. Being a good Catholic is by no means a criterion of a man's politics. It determines only his morals.

These things are mentioned because the Supreme Secretary says that we have constituted ourselves Defenders of Property; but he does not say whether he means small property or big property. Our enemies might easily persuade a workingman or small property owner that the Knights of Columbus had gone into the ring to champion the cause of Big Property and Big Business. This, I am sure, would in no case be true; yet it is an understanding that might easily spread, considering the exasperated attitude of labor towards religion in general, as shown by the Supreme Secretary.

Of course, in an agricultural state, like our own, it is not matter of grave importance what the workingman may think about us.

Our chief interest in the labor question is somehow to reduce the prices of the things we have to buy. But the United States as a whole is fast becoming more of a manufacturing than an agricultural nation. Fifty-two per centum of our population already live in cities, and the drift from the farm to the city is increasing daily. Therefore, we ought to go slow about bringing down upon the Church, at least, the odium of the city worker. If I were to make a guess as to the economic ideal of the Universal Church, it would not be Big Property; owned or controlled by the comparatively few, but small property, owned by the teeming millions of those who work it and work with it, whether it be land or town lots, or dray wagons, or tools in the hands of the artisan. The millions of small property owners are the real defense of this country against Bolshevism, which is really only a bogy in this country. There is an appalling volume of crime in the land, by far the worst in history. It is the result of the war, and of the fact that four millions of unemployed walked the streets of our cities during the past winter; and of the further fact that our millions of police officers who ought to have been enforcing the law against real crime, have been too busy smelling breaths and nosing out private stocks of liquor. But there is no more danger from Bolshevism in America today than there was in the days of the anarchist riots in Chicago, some forty years ago.

Yet there is surely rising in this country a wave of constitutional reform, not a revolution but an evolution, which without robbery or confiscation, is going to force the monopolist to let go of his surplus, give the worker a material interest in his work, and (as has already been done in New Zealand) compel a resale of the surplus and speculatively-owned lands of the country to small farmers upon long time payments. This, and not Russian Bolshevism, will be the net result of the present widespread agitation, and it will be a beneficial one, and thoroughly Catholic in principle. The more agitation we have the sooner it will be brought about, and the sooner the better. It would be as useless for us to stop this rising wave as the proverbial old woman who tried to stop the tide with a pitchfork. We should be the guides, not the opponents, of this reform. Hence, to use the words of Brother McGinley's circular, our campaign should in truth be a constructive one. And to show more clearly what our purpose is, we should not talk altogether about the rights of property, when even at this very moment, to my own knowledge, there are bread-lines in our large cities, charity lodging-houses for the unemployed and thousands of women and children actually hungry in this land of plenty In the closing days of this beautiful month of May. If we talk at all, we should talk occasionally about the rights of men; and lay this walking ghost of Bolshevism by killing the germs of brutal competition and arbitrary monopoly of industry that produce it. For, after all, it is men, men with immortal souls, and not property or wealth, that constitute the visible body of the Church; and also of the Knights of Columbus.

Another notable feature of this circular is the appeal of our illustrious Supreme Knight, which I take pleasure in reading to you. (Read beginning on page 4, at the word "Note.")

Note--Please state that the Supreme Knight has especially requested that the following be read:

"Through your State Deputy may your Supreme Knight say a word!

"First of all. Greeting! Then, most cordial wishes for the coming year!

"The increase of the past year. while most gratifying, is not without its dangers. I have sometimes wondered when seeing the very large classes going in, whether our law regarding investigation was being strictly observed. This is no foolish law. The young man admitted may cause infinite trouble in the future. We are not a reformatory. We want only ideal Catholic gentlemen. In taking in these numbers of new men let us be ever careful that our carelessness may not torture us in the future. Again, why are the three degrees so often given within a few days? What need of this great rush? The Board of Directors has forbidden conferring the third degree to classes of over seventy-five except by special permission; fifty is large enough, really. If men will not wait are they particularly desirable? Will they stick when it is all over? Under the law, only one degree at a meeting can be given unless by written consent of the District Deputy, and no Sunday degrees, except by application to the District Deputy and approval by the State Deputy (Section 244). What good reason can be advanced for hastening these degrees? Why not a month or two between the first and second degree, and twice that time between the second and third degree? It will try our men's loyalty--it will test their worthiness, and by reducing the numbers at any one degree the lessons can be brought home in a more effective way. 'Haste makes waste,' or as the old Latin puts it, 'Let us hurry up slowly.' We want only good Catholic men. We want them to have the full benefit of our unexcelled ceremonial. We want it to have a personal application to every man, not men in numbers and in classes, but to men as individuals.

"The initiation fee ought to be saved for a rainy day and not to be used by the council in ordinary activities. The council should be supported from monthly dues. With these frequent classes, councils will have a fine opportunity to create a fund for the future. I am informed that one of the largest societies in this country has a minimum initiation fee of $25.00. Its members are from all walks of life just as ours. In these days when men are clamoring to get in, prices of everything so high, is it not wise to set an initiation fee of at least $25.00? Men working beside ours in the shop and in the office are paying this amount for the society I have referred to. It may take a little longer to gather this amount but it means more in the end. It also means more for those who are already members. Then again with the increased cost of everything with the enlarged membership of most councils, and with the absolute necessity of activity by the councils giving members something more than one hour of parliamentary meeting twice a month, would it not be wise to raise the Council dues to $12.00 a year, $1.00 a month? If your council is alive and purposes to do things, the ordinary initiation fee and council dues must be raised.

"Please, Brothers, do not misunderstand these words of warning. They arise chiefly from the fact that I am more than ever impressed with our tremendous responsibility, and if any word of mine can serve as a caution against dangers or as a help towards further success it becomes my duty to speak. With our nearly 800,000 members let us march on, worthy, resolute, fearless and always in an orderly way."

I heartily endorse what Brother Flaherty says regarding the necessity of careful selection of candidates, and the unwisdom of trying to handle large classes which is forbidden by order of the Board of Directors. As to long delays between degrees, I am afraid that in a state of such magnificent distances as ours, that is hardly practicable except in the large cities.

As to the suggestion that the monthly dues be increased to the amount he mentions, I am afraid that this would be inadvisable under present conditions. It would be inadvisable and even unfair at any time to increase the council dues of insurance members; for they entered the order and took out insurance for the protection of their families under a certain contract; and we should do nothing to impair the obligations of this contract. To a man of large income a few dollars a year, more or less, are a matter of indifference, but our order is fortunately composed of men from all walks of life, and some of the older members may not be even as prosperous now as when they joined the order. We should take no step that would or might result in squeezing out a single worthy member, and depriving his family of needed protection. That would be unknightly, unbrotherly, uncharitable, and, of course, un-Catholic; and I am reasonably sure it will not be done in Nebraska.

Of the great and varied activities of the order as a whole only words of praise and highest commendation can be spoken, and we are unequivocally proud of our membership in this great patriotic American organization. We have confidence in the ability and loyalty of our Supreme officers, and unreservedly approve their thoroughly competent administration of the affairs of the order throughout the great crises of the war and reconstruction.

The councils of the order are everywhere up and doing, and we have a wonderful future before us, as we have a great past behind, If we keep clear of entangling alliances, avoid pernicious tendencies, and steer that golden middle course which both the Attic Philosopher and Holy Mother Church declare to be the path of Virtue, as it surely is the path of wisdom.

During my eighteen years of knighthood in Nebraska, I have seen the order here grow from a single council to its present commanding proportions; and I know that the true purpose and spirit of knighthood is nowhere better grasped nor understood than in Nebraska. It is because of this faith that I have been frank in discussing certain matters.

I thank you again, and your constituents, for most hearty support and co-operation during the two years of my administration of this office; and it is with a heart full of gratitude that I now bid you farewell.

E. H. WHELAN,

State Deputy.

#  Appendix Figure 9: Letter from Creighton University archivist regarding picture of Edward H. as part of a football team (see Fig. 17)

* * *

[1] Possibly with an Aunt in Cashel, Tipperary. Source: Father Tom Whelan, 2014 and notes from John Hickey's daughters.

[2] Source: Barbara Whelan, 2014. Daily Transcript article dated 7/5/1990.

[3] Source: Relating of conversations with Hickey relatives by Father Tom Whelan to me in 2014.

[4] " In the United States, the spelling of words and names didn't settle down until the late 1800's when literacy became widespread. Nor was the precise spelling of words even considered important until the 20th century, as long as the meaning was conveyed. For example, our word "ton," meaning 2000 lbs, could be spelled ton, tonn, or tonne. All three spellings would have been considered entirely acceptable to someone in the 17th, 18th, or even 19th century because they all represented the same sound. Their attitude would have been that the purpose of writing is to communicate, and if your writing communicates your meaning, that's all that's required. Anyone who has transcribed more than a few historic documents can tell you it is not unusual to find someone (even an attorney or county clerk) spelling the same word or name in more than one way — in a single document!" http://dgmweb.net/Ancillary/OnE/Spelling.html

[5] Of course, it's possible for some reason that Edward could have cited an uncle or aunt as his "parents" if, according, to the story he had been raised primarily by an aunt.

[6] "United States Census, 1930," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XC6J-Y62 : accessed 19 August 2015), Edward H Whelan, San Diego, San Diego, California, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 0178, sheet 3B, family 71, line 56, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 193; FHL microfilm 2,339,928.

[7] "Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898," ,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FGZC-SLR : accessed 14 August 2015), Denis Hickey and Mary Whalan Or Whelan, 05 Nov 1868; citing Clonoulty, Co. Tipperary, Ireland, reference Pg.394 No.35; FHL microfilm 101,536.

[8] "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NW1R-ZRL : accessed 14 August 2015), Edmund Hickey in entry for Daniel Hickey and Ellen Ryan, 08 Feb 1862; citing 221 1, Webster, Massachusetts, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,433,020.

[9] "Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," ,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHV1-9DC : accessed 14 August 2015), Edward Hickey in entry for Patrick Hickey and Mary Lonargan, 01 Jan 1869; citing reference 45; FHL microfilm 2,047,599.

[10] Interestingly there is another Denis Hickey who married a Mary Whelan in Limerick, Ireland in 1864. However their marriage certificate cites this Denis's father as John Hickey. The marriage certificate in 1868 cited in footnote 7 is a better fit for location and agrees with Denis's father being Edmund.  "Ireland Marriages, 1619-1898," database,  FamilySearch  ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FG85-Y7K ), Denis Hickey and Mary Whelan, 21 Sep 1864; citing Saint Johns, Lim, Ireland, reference 283; FHL microfilm 101,465.

[11] John Hickey immigrated there around 1864 -1867 and worked in Webster's textile mills.

[12] "Massachusetts Deaths, 1841-1915," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N7PG-7ZH  ), Dennis Hickey in entry for Mary A. Hickey, 29 Jul 1874; citing Boston, Massachusetts, v 267 p 153, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 960,206.

[13] "Ireland Calendar of Wills and Administrations, 1858-1920," database with images,FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KZ5D-59W ), Denis Hickey, 20 Oct 1882; citing 00113, 005014912, Principal Probate Registry, Dublin; 100,998

[14] "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FTHD-Z5M ), DEATHS entry for Mary Hickey; citing Thurles, Jan - Mar 1890, vol. 3, p. 528, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,596. "Ireland Civil Registration Indexes, 1845-1958," database, FamilySearch( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FTCW-S4S ), DEATHS entry for Mary Hickey; citing Tipperary, Jul - Sep 1891, vol. 3, p. 377, General Registry, Custom House, Dublin; FHL microfilm 101,596.

[15] http://multitext.ucc.ie/d/Ireland_society__economy_1870-1914#3Educatio n

[16] http://archive.org/stream/catalo9394crei/catalo9394crei_djvu.txt .

[17] Source ancestry.com Year: 1890; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 547; Line: 37; List Number: 622; There was another 18-year old Edward hickey that arrived on 11th of May, 1891 in Boston on the ship Samaria -- but I judge that late given Edward's army record. Finally there was an Edward Whelan who is a laborer of unknown age who arrived on December 5th, 1890 on the ship "Teutonic" from Liverpool and Queenstown.

[18] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SS_Teutonic

[19] http://multitext.ucc.ie/d/Ireland_society__economy_1870-1914

[20] http://www.irish-genealogy-toolkit.com/Irish-immigration-to-America.html

[21] The earliest document I know of that ties specifically to Edward's extended family in the United States is his uncle Daniel's certificate of marriage in Webster, Massachusetts in 1862: "Massachusetts Marriages, 1841-1915," database with images, FamilySearch( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NW1R-ZR2 ), Daniel Hickey and Ellen Ryan, 08 Feb 1862; citing , Webster, Massachusetts, United States, State Archives, Boston; FHL microfilm 1,433,020. In the 1900 and 1910 census reports, Daniel Hickey stated he immigrated in 1860 ( "United States Census, 1910," database with images,  FamilySearch  https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M22P-QSV , Daniel Hickey in household of John Kelly, Webster, Worcester, Massachusetts, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 1834, sheet 11B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,64). In the 1900 and 1910 Census reports, John Hickey reported that he immigrated between 1864 and 1865 (he gave different answers in different Census reports). "United States Census, 1910," database with images,  FamilySearch  ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML4J-9Z1 ), John Hickey, Grattan, Holt, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 134, sheet 5B, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,861. "United States Census, 1900," database with images,  FamilySearch  ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3B5-NPV ), John Hickey, Garfield Township, Cuming, Nebraska, United States; citing sheet 7A, family 109, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,920

[22] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29#Third_Indian_War_period

[23] "United States Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926," database with images, FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KDRY-ZJQ : accessed 19 August 2015), Edward J Or Edward H Hickey Or Whelan, 1932; citing Pension, California, NARA microfilm publication T318 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 821,614.

[24] Davis, John, ed.. Fort Omaha, Nebraska Directory, 1888-96 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000.  Note: There are  no Whelan's listed in the Fort Omaha directory. Original data: Omaha City Directory. Omaha, NE, USA: J. M. Wolfe and Co., 1888-1896.

[25] www.armyatwoundedknee.com

[26] http://www.history-magazine.com/cavalry.html

[27] "Army Abuses-- Our Recruiting System" in Army and Navy Journal 13, no. 38 (April 29, 1876): 614-15 included in  Eyewitnesses to the Indian Wars, 1865-1890: The army and the Indian edited by Peter Cozzens

[28] www.armyatwoundedknee.com

[29] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2nd_Infantry_Regiment_%28United_States%29#Third_Indian_War_period

[30] http://armyatwoundedknee.com/2014/12/05/2nd-infantry-at-the-pine-ridge-agency/

[31] Omaha, Nebraska, City Directory, 1894. Source: ancestry.com;  http://archive.org/stream/catalo9394crei/catalo9394crei_djvu.txt .

[32] U. S. Army Register, Volumes 1, page 253, United States. Adjutant-General's Office

[33] http://ocp.hul.harvard.edu/immigration/fenians.html

[34] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_O%27Neill_%28Fenian%29

[35] Beyond the American Pale: The Irish in the West, 1845-1910 by David M. Emmon

[36] http://www.greeleyirishfestival.com/greeley_irish_history.htm

[37] "United States Index to Passenger Arrivals, Atlantic and Gulf Ports, 1820-1874," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/KD5P-DYW : accessed 14 August 2015), John Hickey, 1867; citing Immigration, NARA microfilm publication M334 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 418,238.

[38] http://www.academia.edu/4738639/Fenians_in_the_Frame_Photographing_Irish_Political_Prisoners_1865-1868_with_Breandan_Mac_Suibhne

[39] http://www.waterfordmuseum.ie/exhibit/web/Display/article/323/5/The_Fenian_Landing_At_Helvic_Arrest_And_Trial.html

[40] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O%27Neill,_Nebraska

[41] "Massachusetts Marriages, 1695-1910," database, FamilySearch( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FHV1-9DH ), Patrick Hickey and Mary Lonargan, 01 Jan 1869; citing reference 45; FHL microfilm 2,047,599

[42] "United States Census, 1870," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MHDS-RQ4 : accessed 16 August 2015), Patrick Hickey, Nebraska, United States; citing p. 19, family 190, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,327.

[43] "United States Census, 1870," database with images,  FamilySearch  ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDQF-NFW ), John Hickey in household of Daniel K Hill, Massachusetts, United States; citing p. 62, family 544, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,156. John and Margaret are listed on page 62, a 65 year old Mary Hickey is listed on page 60.

[44] Before Today -- A History of Holt County , by Nellie Snyder Yost, 1976, page 214

[45] Year: 1864; Arrival: New York, New York; Microfilm Serial: M237, 1820-1897; Microfilm Roll: Roll 245; Line: 48; List Number: 954 Liahona Research, comp. Nebraska Marriages, 1856-1898 database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004;  "United States Census, 1880," database with images,  FamilySearch  ( [https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8YW-ZZY ), John Hickey, Summit, Burt, Nebraska, United States; citing enumeration district ED 39, sheet 324B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0743; FHL microfilm 1,254,743

[46] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Protective_Association

[47] The Party of Fear: From Nativist Movements to the New Right in American History By David Harry Bennett

[48] "The Secret Oath of the American Protective Association, October 31, 1893," in Michael Williams, The Shadow of the Pope (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 1932), 103–104

[49] " 'For Zion's Sake, Will I Not Hold My Peace': John Williams, Radical Omaha Priest, 1877-1914," Nebraska History 63 (1982): 87-107

[50] Omaha Memories - Recollections of Events, Men and Affairs in Omaha, Nebraska, from 1879 to 1917 By Ed. F. Morearty Attorney-at-Law Swartz Printing Co. 1917

[51] The Party of Fear: From Nativist Movements to the New Right in American History By David Harry Bennett

[52] Errors of the Roman Catholic Church or Centuries of Oppression, Persecution and Ruin published by J. H. Chambers & Company, 1899.

[53] " 'For Zion's Sake, Will I Not Hold My Peace': John Williams, Radical Omaha Priest, 1877-1914," Nebraska History 63 (1982): 87-107

[54] Creating a Christian America: The Development of Protestant Nationalism in ... By Blake Williams

[55] " 'For Zion's Sake, Will I Not Hold My Peace': John Williams, Radical Omaha Priest, 1877-1914," Nebraska History 63 (1982): 87-107

[56] The A. P. A. Movement - A Sketch by Humphrey J. Desmond, pg 67. Washington: The New Century Press, 1912.

[57] History of the City of Omaha Nebraska and South Omaha by James Savage, John Bell, Consul Butterfield; pages 655-656. Munsell & Company, 1894.

[58] The Party of Fear: From Nativist Movements to the New Right in American History By David Harry Bennett

[59] The A. P. A. Movement - A Sketch by Humphrey J. Desmond, pg 20. Washington: The New Century Press, 1912.

[60] "The Anti-Papal Panic" by Washington Gladden in  Harpers Weekly Volumes 58-59

[61] The A. P. A. Movement - A Sketch by Humphrey J. Desmond, pg 26. Washington: The New Century Press, 1912.

[62] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[63] The A. P. A. Movement - A Sketch by Humphrey J. Desmond, pg 39-43. Washington: The New Century Press, 1912.

[64] http://www.creighton.edu/office-of-the-president/presidential-history/1891-1895

[65] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[66] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[67] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[68] " Observing the Heavens from Omaha: A History of the Creighton Observatory, 1866-1940" By Denver L. Applehans, Masters Thesis, University of Nebraska, December 2007.

[69] "Observing the Heavens from Omaha: A History of the Creighton Observatory, 1866-1940" By Denver L. Applehans, Masters Thesis, University of Nebraska, December 2007.

[70] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[71] Creighton University Reminiscences of the first Twenty-Five Years by M. P. Dowling, S.J. Burkley Printing Company, Omaha, 1903

[72] "He led an abortive rebellion against British rule in 1803 and was captured, tried and executed for high treason." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Emmet John's son Emmet would himself register for the draft in 1918, however; see  https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1961-26445-8672-35?cc=1968530

[73] http://www.omahahistory.org/Education_StreetNames4.htm

[74] The True Voice (the Catholic newspaper published in Omaha, NE), June 3, 1916

[75] Creighton Catalog 1894/1895  http://archive.org/details/catalog9495crei

[76] Barbara Whelan, wife of Edward's grandson Vincent Edward Whelan

[77] Nebraska Education: The Annual Report of the Commissioner of Education 1898  https://books.google.com/books?id=IVdLAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA510&lpg=PA510&dq=Edward+H.+Whelan+O%27Neill+Nebraska&source=bl&ots=-CbHLs5OHt&sig=9SmTMhwCJu4WR0cfEtwEYVBqfm8&hl=en&sa=X&ei=b5KuVJ7tK4yegwTy4IOQCQ&ved=0CDkQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=Edward%20H.%20Whelan%20O'Neill%20Nebraska&f=false Note that they were married in August of 1898 -- so it would seem they had met before he became the O'Neill school principal.

[78] "Iowa, County Marriages, 1838-1934," index, FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/XJDQ-VT9

[79] "United States Census, 1870," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDKS-76Y : accessed 17 August 2015), Thos Quilty, Iowa, United States; citing p. 12, family 81, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,921.

[80] "Iowa State Census, 1885," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/H4MC-K2M : accessed 17 August 2015), Susan Quilly in household of Thomas Quilly, Middle Fork, Ringgold, Iowa; citing p. 17, 1885, State Historical Society, Des Moines; FHL microfilm 1,020,178.

[81] "United States Census, 1900," database with images,  FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3BW-72F : accessed 17 August 2015), Thomas Quilty in household of John Golden, Grattan Township O'Neill city Ward 2, Holt, Nebraska, United States; citing sheet 6A, family 105, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,930.

[82] https://books.google.com/books?id=evEsAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA412&lpg=PA412&dq=edward+h.+whelan+o%27neill+nebraska&source=bl&ots=T8X4qnJzs4&sig=i5AfzLCatss9rK4dT9__faIy6Yw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=SbuuVPGMN4S1ggSrt4Qg&ved=0CEQQ6AEwCA#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20o'neill%20nebraska&f=false

[83] Eulogy given by Edward H. Whelan on the death of William Jennings Bryan (family records).

[84] The University Journal - Alumni Journal of the University of Nebraska Vol. 18, Issue 1 1922  https://books.google.com/books?id=s-DmAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA22&lpg=PA22&dq=edward+h.+whelan+university+of+nebraska+1901&source=bl&ots=pyeXOQEDBt&sig=LRfQ_KDKNXy_lXYXLuu90Hhl2lw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=U7-uVKuCDYGUNqytgZAL&ved=0CCAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20university%20of%20nebraska%201901&f=false

[85] The University Journal -- Alumni Journal of The University of Nebraska, Volume 18, Issue 5

[86] http://www.archives.gov/research/naturalization/naturalization.html

[87] The Tribune Almanac and Political Register edited by Horace Greeley, John Fitch Cleveland, F. J. Ottarson, Alexander Jacob Schem, Edward McPherson, Henry Eckford Rhoades.  https://books.google.com/books?id=zmsTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA272&lpg=PA272&dq=edward+h.+whelan+esq.+nebraska&source=bl&ots=U7-tXjYZm6&sig=FZQlyEfRqPaGsZ9Jqp5fcS_PnCw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=OMeuVO3XG8fCgwSwmYLgAQ&ved=0CCEQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20esq.%20nebraska&f=false

[88] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quentin

[89] Nebraska Public Documents. Volume 4; page 65.  https://books.google.com/books?id=M-5BAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA65&lpg=PA65&dq=edward+h.+whelan+o%27neill+nebraska&source=bl&ots=3A40BYJKpD&sig=DDkJza3SGhI9B9kkBZG5TkTHEEU&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2L2uVL32GIGfgwTa3YCoCg&ved=0CB0Q6AEwADgK#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20o'neill%20nebraska&f=false

[90] Reports of cases in the Supreme Court of Nebraska, Volume 104  https://books.google.com/books?id=BERPAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA732&lpg=PA732&dq=edward+h.+whelan+nebraska&source=bl&ots=HReGRdPr4-&sig=VRFvPhzi_ygrWvC1zuS5DuYHIfE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=08muVJa6KYTgggTEnYOIAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CDcQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20nebraska&f=false

[91] http://www.cityofoneill.com/mayor.htm

[92] "Before Today: A History of Holt County Nebraska Centennial Edition" copyright 1976 by Holt County Historical Society

[93] The Nebraska Blue Book and Historical Register 1920

[94] Before Today -- A History of Holt County , by Nellie Snyder Yost, 1976, pages 138 -139.

[95] http://www.newrivernotes.com/topical_history_ww1_oob_american_forces.htm

[96] U. S. Army Register, Volumes 1, page 253, United States. Adjutant-General's Office

[97] Before Today -- A History of Holt County , by Nellie Snyder Yost, 1976, page 139.

[98] http://www.coulthart.com/134/chapter_1.htm

[99] http://www.kshs.org/kansapedia/camp-funston/16692

[100] http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/topic/religion/catholic/nekofc/pages/nekc0306.htm

[101] History of the Nebraska American Legion: the first volume of a historical... By Frank O'Connell, American Legion. Dept.

[102] http://www.historicomaha.com/whelan.htm

[103] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89amon_de_Valera#Early_political_activity

[104] http://www.academia.edu/3439845/Eamon_de_Valera_s_escape_from_Lincoln_Prison

[105] See Appendix Figure 8 for complete text and reference.

[106] Reports, American committee for relief in Ireland, and Irish white cross .  https://openlibrary.org/books/OL23415345M/Reports_American_committee_for_relief_in_Ireland_and_Irish_white_cross .

[107] The American Committee for Relief in Ireland, 1920-22 F. M. Carroll Irish Historical Studies Vol. 23, No. 89 (May, 1982), pp. 30-49 Published by:  Irish Historical Studies Publications Ltd   Stable URL:  http://www.jstor.org/stable/30008232

[108] See Appendix Figure 8 for complete text and reference.

[109] See Appendix Figure 8 for complete text and reference.

[110] Communication with Neal Van Houten, February, 2016.

[111] Communication with Father Tom Whelan, January, 2015.

[112] "America: A Catholic Review Of The Week", Volume 27, No. 21, September, 1922  https://books.google.com/books?id=nVk_AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA493&lpg=PA493&dq=edward+h.+whelan+san+diego&source=bl&ots=ypWxrEOsJe&sig=LYrIRLe5dHrFjYWOBms9af1p_Dk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=KjavVOS3L_DisAS42IGgAg&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAw#v=onepage&q=edward%20h.%20whelan%20san%20diego&f=false

[113] https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CDMQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigicoll.manoa.hawaii.edu%2Fsocmovements%2FPages%2Fbrowseby.php%3Fs%3Dbrowse%26by%3Dpublisher%26publisher%3DEdward%2BH.%2BWhelan.&ei=7sCzVI3wJ8WZgwTSg4SoDQ&usg=AFQjCNE5CatBgSC-q4-U8gl43pVVimmduA&sig2=1vj1TPc0d62eowZQyz3Gmw

[114] https://archive.org/stream/nation123julnewy/nation123julnewy_djvu.txt The Nation, Vol 123, July 7, 1926 - December 29, 1926.

[115] http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/2000-2/klan.htm

[116] http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/2000-2/klan.htm

[117] https://casetext.com/case/cushing-v-levi?page=104

[118] Ancestry.com. California, Death Index, 1905-1939 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. Original data: California Department of Health and Welfare. California Vital Records-Vitalsearch (www.vitalsearch-worldwide.com). The Vitalsearch Company Worldwide, Inc., Pleasanton, California.
