John F. Armstrong Timeline: 1886
March 30, 2017By 1886, John F. Armstrong (1845-1893) had lived in the United States for over two decades. Despite the fact that he had become a successful merchant in Augusta, Georgia, his parents and eight siblings still lived in County Sligo and his ties to Ireland remained strong.
A mass meeting of Irish Americans was held at the Central Music Hall in Chicago on January 21st, 1886. Members of the Executive Committee, including John F. Armstrong, spoke about Irish home rule. Image courtesy of Wikipedia.
In 1886, JF was still active in the Georgia Democratic Party but much of his time was devoted to speaking engagements and fundraising events for the Irish independence movement.
In January, he represented the State of Georgia at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America (INLA) in Chicago. Afterwards, he left for Ireland where he discussed Irish home rule legislation with Irish MP Charles Stewart Parnell. He also visited his parents in County Sligo and spent some time in London.
At the INLA convention in Chicago in August, JF was once again chosen to serve on the organization’s Council of Seven.
Before the convention, the Chicago Tribune reported that the Clan na Gael (CNG) had split over allegations that in 1882 Alexander Sullivan, former president of both the INLA and the CNG, had taken Irish Land League funds to finance a dynamite campaign in Great Britain. Sullivan also stood accused of ignoring the families of dynamitards who were killed or imprisoned. John F. Armstrong of Georgia was listed as a Sullivan supporter.
1886
January 11th, New York Herald, “A Parnellite Demonstration: Preparations for a Great Nationalist Meeting in Chicago”, p. 5: In Chicago at a meeting of the Parnell Committee and the Municipal Council of the Irish National League of America, it was decided to hold a conference on Irish American affairs on January 20th followed by entertainment in the evening. Rev. Mr. O’Reilly was to be the main speaker. Patrick Egan of Nebraska, M. V. Gannon of Iowa, Col. M. Boland of New York, J. G. Donnelly of Milwaukee, John P. Sutton of Quebec, J. F. Armstrong of Georgia, and James W. Fitzgerald of Cincinnati were each to speak for no more than fifteen minutes.
January 21st, New York Times, “The Irish National League – President Egan Reconsiders His Decision to Resign”, p. 2: At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America (INLA) in Chicago, President Patrick Egan agreed to remain in office until the next national convention. A letter from Charles Stewart Parnell, which acknowledged funds that had been sent to the Irish Parliamentary Party, was read. The treasurer announced that $90,000 had been sent to Ireland since the convention in Boston and $10,000 was on hand to send to make it $100,000. Executive Committee member John F. Armstrong handed over $580 from Georgia to the treasury.
January 21st, Inter-Ocean (Chicago), “For Ireland’s Sake – Evening Exercises”, p.3: Members of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America spoke at a mass meeting at Central Music Hall in Chicago. Committee member John F. Armstrong spoke about the need for unity and loyalty among Irishmen.
January 30th, Irish American Weekly (New York), “The Chicago Conference – A Lame and Impotent Conclusion”, p. 5: Alexander Sullivan, controversial ex-president of the Irish National League of America (INLA) was voted a member of the Committee of Arrangements of the next convention. In the evening, a public gathering was held at the Central Music Hall. All proceeds went to the INLA’s treasury.
February 8th, Gladstone-Parnell and the Great Irish Struggle by T.P. O’Connor and Robert M. McWade, pp. 654-655: As a representative of the Irish National League of America (INLA), John F. Armstrong met Irish MP Charles Stewart Parnell at Broadstone Station in Dublin and set up a meeting the following Friday.
February 9th, Augusta Chronicle, “Personal and General”, p. 8: The Emmet Club was planning a ball for March 4 at the Masonic Hall. J. F. Armstrong, E. J. O’Connor, James Quinn, Edward Sheehan, J. C. McPoland, and James Daly were on the committee of arrangements.
February 12th, Gladstone-Parnell and the Great Irish Struggle by T.P. O’Connor and Robert M. McWade, pp. 654-655: John F. Armstrong, a member of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America (INLA), met for two hours with Charles Stewart Parnell at Morrison’s Hotel in Dublin. Armstrong delivered INLA papers and contributions for the Irish Parliamentary Party. Parnell expressed to Armstrong his hope and optimism for Ireland’s future.
March 5th, Augusta Chronicle, “The Emmet Ball – A Grand Celebration of Emmet’s Birthday”, p.1: The evening of March 4th, a ball in honor of Irish patriot and martyr Robert Emmet (1778-1803) was held in the Masonic Hall in Augusta. John F. Armstrong, who had just arrived home from a trip to Ireland, was the focus of much attention throughout the evening. The dresses of many of the young ladies were noted, including Mary Armstrong in “pink and oriental lace”.
March 6th, Atlanta Constitution, “Back From Ireland”, p. 2: John F. Armstrong returned from a trip to Ireland, where he met privately with Irish MP and home rule leader Charles Stewart Parnell. Armstrong noted that Mr. Parnell was optimistic that Parliament would pass a home rule bill with the support of Prime Minister Gladstone. Armstrong also visited his parents while he was in Ireland.
March 6th, New York Times, “Ireland’s Rosy Prospects – Home Rule Believed Certain Under Gladstone”, No page number: Interview with John F. Armstrong in Augusta, Georgia about his recent trip to Ireland. Armstrong met privately with Irish MP Charles Stewart Parnell in Dublin as an official representative of the Irish National League of America (INLA). According to Armstrong, he met with Parnell to deliver papers and funds from the INLA. He reported that Mr. Parnell’s hopes were high that Prime Minister Gladstone‘s government would pass Irish home rule legislation this year.
March 14th, Atlanta Constitution, “Ireland on the Eighteenth – The Grand Mass Meeting for Next Thursday Night” p. 5: A mass meeting was planned for May 18th in Atlanta to show support for Irish home rule. Col. JF Burke, Hon. George Hillyer, Col. John F. Armstrong (Augusta) and Dr. JG Armstrong were to speak.
March 18th, Atlanta Constitution, “The Day in Augusta – John F. Armstrong Makes a Stirring Speech”, p. 5: On the evening of March 17th, the Irishmen of Augusta gathered at Richmond Hall No. 7. They included John F. Armstrong, Hon. Patrick Walsh, Gen. WM Sweeney, US Army, and Senator John S. Davidson. Armstrong told the crowd that Prime Minister Gladstone was prepared to pass Irish home rule legislation. Although opposed to the use of dynamite, Armstrong stated that if parliament didn’t pass favorable legislation the dynamite campaign would likely continue. Armstrong recently traveled to Ireland on official business for the Irish National League of America.
March 30th, Augusta Chronicle, Untitled, p. 8: John F. Armstrong and his son Joseph were guests at the Rosland Hotel in Grovetown, Georgia.
June 5th, Atlanta Constitution, “Pat Walsh’s Way – The Voices of Richmond County Throttled – While the Courthouse Retainers Hold Close Communion With Themselves, No Room For “Common Farmers” and No Chance For Them to Vote – Other news notes, etc., etc.”, p. 5: Around one thousand people met in the courtyard of the courthouse for a meeting of Richmond County’s Democrats. John F. Armstrong was listed as a Democratic Party delegate at the meeting.
June 9th, Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis), p. 1: “Gladstone Defeated: The Home-Rule Bill Beaten by Thirty Votes on Second Reading”, p. 1: Gladstone’s Home Rule Bill for Irish self-government was defeated on June 8th, 1886 in the British Parliament.
June 17th, Augusta Chronicle, “Meeting of Our New Executive Committee Yesterday”, p. 8: John F. Armstrong was named as one of two members of the Executive Committee of the Richmond County Democrats for the 4th Ward.
August 6th, Chicago Tribune, “A Lively Time Ahead – It Will Be Witnessed In the National League Convention”, p. 1: Overview of the attendees and plans for the Irish National League of America convention to take place in Chicago later in the month. Also laid out the split in the Clan na Gael between supporters of former INLA and Clan na Gael president Alexander Sullivan of Chicago and those who opposed him. J. F. Armstrong of Augusta, Georgia was listed as a Sullivan supporter. Sullivan stood accused of taking Land League funds in 1882 to finance a dynamite campaign in Great Britain. He also was accused of ignoring the families of dynamitards who were killed or imprisoned for their activities. Clan na Gael camps, it was noted, were often operated as clubs named for Irish patriots Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone.
August 18th, Chicago Tribune, “Irish Notables Arrive”, p. 2: Irish MP’s and other dignitaries arrived in Chicago for the convention of the Irish National League of America (INLA). Convention delegates began discussing who they would support in the election for the organization’s president.
–“A Chat With Mrs. Parnell”: Mrs. Parnell, the mother of Irish MP Charles Stewart Parnell, arrived in Chicago and was taken to the Palmer House, where she was interviewed by a Chicago Tribune reporter. Mrs. Parnell expressed her opposition to the Sullivan-Egan faction in the Irish National League of America (INLA) and their efforts to turn the organization into a political machine. She also opposed the Sullivan-Egan faction’s use of force against British rule in Ireland. It went against her son’s belief in obtaining Irish home rule through constitutional means. She believed it would be better for Ireland if those men were not involved in the INLA.
–“Who Will Succeed Egan as President?”: The Georgia delegation to the Irish National League of America convention in Chicago stated that Col. John F. Armstrong of their state would make a good president for the organization. Armstrong, they said, would unite the different factions of the organization behind Mr. Parnell in Ireland.
August 19th, Atlanta Constitution, “The Irish Americans”, p. 1:
–“The First Day of the Convention in Chicago”: The Irish National League of America convention in Chicago The Georgia delegation to the Irish National League of America convention in Chicago was led by businessman John F. Armstrong of Augusta, a member of the organization’s Council of Seven. Mr. Armstrong’s name was put forth as a candidate for president of the organization. Other members of the Georgia delegation included businessmen E.J. O’Connor, Thomas Murray, and William Mulherin of Augusta, and Col. James A. Benson of Wilkes County.
–“The Georgia Delegation”: The Georgia delegation chose Mr. Armstrong as their chairman and P. J. Moran as secretary. Those appointed to convention committees were: John F. Armstrong, Resolutions; P. J. D. [sic] Connor, Permanent Organization; H. McGraver, Credentials; Wm. Mulherin, Finance; E. J. O’Connor, Permanent Organization; James A. Benson, Vice-president.
August 20th, Arizona Daily Star (Tuscon), “News of the World – The Irish National League”, p. 1: At the Chicago convention of the Irish National League of America (INLA), Judge John Fitzgerald of Nebraska was voted president of the organization. In his acceptance speech, Fitzgerald urged Irish Americans to remain united in their support of Charles Stewart Parnell and the cause of self-rule in Ireland. Fitzgerald replaced Patrick Egan, also of Nebraska, as INLA president. Before immigrating to the US, Egan had served as treasurer of the Irish Land League in Paris.
August 21, Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), “The Hand of Hope: A Monster Meeting of Irish Sympathizers in Chicago Last Night”, p. 2: At the armory on the lake in Chicago on the evening of August 20th, Michael Davitt and Irish members of parliament spoke to a large group of Irish Americans that included Mrs. Parnell, the American mother of Charles Stewart Parnell. Alexander Sullivan, the controversial ex-president of the Irish National League of America (INLA), led the meeting. Davitt presented outgoing INLA president Patrick Egan with a tea service. It was from colleagues in Ireland who wanted to honor Egan for his work as treasurer of the Irish Land League, the predecessor of the Irish National League. A letter from Charles Stewart Parnell was read to the meeting thanking the INLA for its cooperation and support. This was followed by several speakers, including the Rev. George C. Betts of Louisville.
It was noted that at the August 20th meeting of the national committee of the INLA, John F. Armstrong of Georgia proposed a resolution thanking outgoing president, Patrick Egan, for his service. The motion was approved by the committee. Incoming President John Fitzgerald of Nebraska led the meeting.
August 22nd, Detroit Free Press, “National Council of Seven”, p. 2: On August 20, the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America chose the members of the Council of Seven: Patrick Egan, Nebraska; Judge Donnelly, Wisconsin; Dr. Edward Malone, New York; Dr. Thomas O’Reilly, Missouri; John F. Armstrong, Georgia; W. J. Gleason, Ohio; and Hon. J. J. Donavan, Massachusetts.
October 6th, Atlanta Constitution, “A Morning Chat With the Editors of the Georgia Press – Misc.”, p. 2: As a member of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America (INLA), Colonel John F. Armstrong of Augusta appealed to all Georgians who cared about Ireland to help in any way they could and to increase its INLA chapters from four to twenty-five. He offered to help anyone interested in starting new branches of the league.
December 7th, Atlanta Constitution, “The Irish Cause – The Importance of Contributing to the Anti-Eviction Fund”, p. 4: John F. Armstrong of the Executive Committee of the Irish National League of America (INLA), asked Atlantans and all Georgians to contribute to the INLA’s Anti-Eviction Fund. Contributions were to be sent to INLA treasurer the Rev. Chas. O’Reilly, D.D., of Detroit, Michigan.
References
Arizona Daily Star (Tucson). “News of the World – The Irish National League.” 20 August 1886, p. 1. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution. “Back From Ireland.” 6 March 1886, p. 2. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution. “The Day in Augusta – John F. Armstrong Makes a Stirring Speech.” 18 March 1886, p. 5. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution. “Ireland on the Eighteenth – The Grand Mass Meeting for Next Thursday Night.” 14 March 1886, p. 5. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution, “The Irish Americans: The First Day of the Convention in Chicago.” 19 August 1886, p.1. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution, “The Irish Americans: The Georgia Delegation.” 19 August 1886, p.1. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Atlanta Constitution. “The Irish Cause – The Importance of Contributing to the Anti-Eviction Fund.” 7 December 1886, p. 4:
Atlanta Constitution. “A Morning Chat With the Editors of the Georgia Press – Misc.” 6 October 1886, p. 2.
Atlanta Constitution. “Pat Walsh’s Way – The Voices of Richmond County Throttled – While the Courthouse Retainers Hold Close Communion With Themselves, No Room For “Common Farmers” and No Chance For Them to Vote – Other news notes, etc., etc.” 5 June 1886, p. 5. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Augusta Chronicle. “Personal and General.” 9 February 1886, p. 8. Accessed in April 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
Augusta Chronicle. “The Emmet Ball – A Grand Celebration of Emmet’s Birthday.” 5 March 1886, p. 1. Accessed in March 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
Augusta Chronicle. “Meeting of Our New Executive Committee Yesterday.” 17 June 1886, p. 8. Accessed in March 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
Augusta Chronicle. Untitled. 30 March 1886, p. 8. Accessed in March 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
Chicago Tribune, “A Lively Time Ahead – It Will Be Witnessed In the National League Convention.” 6 August 1886, p. 1. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Chicago Tribune. “Who Will Succeed Egan as President?” 18 August 1886, p. 2. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Detroit Free Press, “National Council of Seven”, 22 August 1886, p. 2. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Indiana State Sentinel (Indianapolis). “Gladstone Defeated: The Home-Rule Bill Beaten by Thirty Votes on Second Reading.” 9 June 1886, p. 1. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Inter-Ocean (Chicago). “For Ireland’s Sake – Evening Exercises.” 21 January 1886, p.3. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
Irish American Weekly (New York). “The Chicago Conference – A Lame and Impotent Conclusion”. 30 January 1886, p. 5. Accessed in March 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
New York Herald, “A Parnellite Demonstration – Preparations for a Great Nationalist Meeting in Chicago.” 11 January, 1886, p. 5. Accessed in April 2017 at Genealogybank.com.
New York Times. “Ireland’s Rosy Prospects – Home Rule Believed Certain Under Gladstone.” 6 March 1886, no page number. Accessed in March 2017 at Newyorktimes.com at http://query.nytimes.com
New York Times, “The Irish National League – President Egan Reconsiders His Decision to Resign”, 21 January 1886, p. 2. Accessed in March 2017 at Newspapers.com.
O’Connor, T.P. and Robert M. McWade. Gladstone-Parnell and the Great Irish Struggle. Philadelphia: Hubbard Bros., 1890. Digital copy accessed in April 2017 at https://archive.org/details/gladstoneparnell1890ocon
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, MN), “The Hand of Hope: A Monster Meeting of Irish Sympathizers in Chicago Last Night.” 21 August 1886, p. 2. Accessed in April 2017 at Newspapers.com.