A.O.H.

THE IRISH IN IOWA

Daily Times
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
January 26, 1901

AN A.O.H. ENTERTAINMENT
Second in a series at Hibernian Hall Sunday Evening.

     The A.O.H. will give the second of a series of musical and literary
entertainments at the Hibernian hall tomorrow evening, when this program
will be rendered:
Instrumental Selection....Miss Effie Smith
Recitation......................Miss Anna McLain
Vocal Solo....................Mrs. G.L. Wynes
Address........................"Fraternal Societies"....J.J. O'Donnell of
Kansas City
Instrumental Selection....Carroll Kelly

     Debate-Resolved, That the United States government should intervene in
behalf of the Boers in the South African war.
     The affirmative will be supported by George W. Scott and O.G. Murray
and the negative by A.P. McGurik and W.R. Maines.

Instrumental Selection...Carroll Kelly

     There will be no charge for admission and the public is invited.

Iowa Recorder
Greene, Butler, Iowa
March 25, 1902

To Meet Redmond and Devlin.
William Redmond and Joseph Devlin, members of the British parliament, among the most prominent living Irishmen, will be in Sioux City about April 1. It is proposed by the local branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians to make this event one of much importance and get together one of the biggest gatherings of Irish-Americans ever held in the northwest.

Iowa Recorder
Greene, Butler, Iowa
Aug 3, 1904

Denounce Irish Mimicry
The principal report of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in session at St. Louis was that of the
committee on resolutions, which reported in favor of a national home for members
of the order and denounced the caricaturing of the Irish race upon the stage and in the funny
sections of the newspapers.

Iowa Recorder
Greene, Butler, Iowa
March 30, 1910

A systematic crusade against the "silly" post card is being waged by the authorities in several
large cities. Replying to a committee of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, which lodged
a protest against the sending of offensive St. Patrick's Day postcards, Postmaster Morgan
of New York said: "People may as well understand that it is only a waste of time and
money to try and send silly postal cards through the mails. Any card or other matter that is
vulgar or an insult to any person or race will be destroyed whenever it reaches this office."

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, Iowa
June 14, 1911

QUARTER CENTURY RECORD
The A.O.H. of Emmetsburg Observe 25th Anniversary of Organization
     The observance of the 25th anniversary of the organization of the
Emmetsburg division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians was decidedly
creditable and it proved enjoyable to all despite the fact that a high,
disagreeable wind prevailed during the greater part of the day.
    At 8 a.m. most of the members attended mass in a body at Assumption
church. Soon after they repaired to the W.E. Jackman grove on the east banks
of Medium lake, one of the most picturesque and favorably located picnic
grounds in northern Iowa. Mr. and Mrs. Jackman treated the Hibernians, their
ladies and their guests with every courtesy and spared no effort to make the
environments agreeable.
     At noon about 600 sat down on the green sward and enjoyed a basket
dinner. The committee had prepared an abundance of lemonade and ice cream,
which were free to all during the noon hour and until evening. Cigars were
later distributed to the gentlemen and candy to the ladies, boys and girls.
Preparations had been made for launching, but the lake was too rough.
     At one o'clock the speaking program was commenced. State Secretary P.H.
Donlon presided. The band played a couple of patriotic strains, after which
the Very Rev. J.J. Smith was introduced. He congratulated the Hibernians on
the great work they had done throughout the world and especially in
Emmetsburg during the past 25 years. He referred at length to the struggle
of the Irish parliamentary party to secure Home Rule for Ireland and he
appealed to those present to contribute towards the worthy cause. He headed
the list with $10. A paper was circulated and a large amount was
contributed. It will be forwarded at once to John Redmond. Father Smith has
given special attention to the Irish question for many years and he has
stored up a valuable fund of information on the subject. His remarks were
filled with interesting and instructive facts and he spoke with a fervor
that impressed seriously all who heard him. One of the ardent hopes of his
declining years is to see Ireland win Home Rule.
     President T.J. Duffy of the local division of the order was next
introduced. He spoke briefly and creditably concerning the history of the
order in Emmetsburg. We publish his remarks elsewhere in this issue.
     A.E. Walsh and Fred B. Sharon, the brilliant and scholarly editor of
the Iowa Catholic Messenger, came all the way from Davenport to participate
in the exercises. Both are eloquent orators. Mr. Walsh followed President
Duffy in a short address that would thrill the heart of any body of Irishmen
and Irish Americans. His remarks were confined to the significance of the
day's observance. The excellence of his subject matter, his clearness and
earnestness of expression, and his readiness, force and grace of delivery
soon won him the undivided attention of his hearers. His patriotic
utterances reached responsive chords in the hearts of more than 600
listeners, all of whom will be eager to hear him on some future occasion.
     The next speaker was Mr. Sharon. He is always a much sought orator at
Hibernian and Catholic gatherings. We have heard him on many occasions, but
it is doubtful if he ever spoke with more fervor than he did on Sunday. He
reviewed at length the history of Hibernianism, its trials and achievements,
showing what the members of the organization had done for the preservation
of the faith of the Irish people during the dark days when the infamous
penal code sought to destroy religion in Erin. Mr. Sharon is a gentleman of
pleasing address, is at all times earnest, and makes utterance count. It is
difficult to hold the attention of an out door audience on an occasion of
this kind, but it is doubtful if Mr. Sharon had a single unappreciative
listener. All present were enthusiastic in their praise of his effort,
several critics pronouncing it one of exceptional merit.
     During the remainder of the afternoon various games and amusements were
enjoyed. The results of some of the contests are given elsewhere in this
issue. All in attendance returned to their homes feeling that, despite the
inclement weather, they had spent one of the most enjoyable days of their
lives.

Emmetsburg Democrat
Emmetsburg, Palo Alto, IA
Wed., June 21, 1916

Yesterday P.H. DONLON received word that the prize offered by the L.A. of
the A.O.H. of Iowa for the best examination of Irish history was won by Miss
Veretta, daughter of Mr and Mrs Joseph MARTINI, of this place. She will have
the privilege of attending, during the coming year, any Catholic academy or
college in Iowa in which Irish history is taught. We congratulate her on her
success and also the sisters of St Mary's Academy, who had her as a pupil
during the past few years. Miss Kathryn McEVOY took this prize two or three
years ago. The prize offered by the A.O.H. was won by an Iowa City boy. We
have not learned his name.

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