George A. Birmingham

“ And didn't I see him standing by the side of Jamesy Killeen's field beyond, with the tears running down his two cheeks at the thought, and him talking to himself the same as if he'd be making a public speech about the land? 'The patriot,' says he, 'the poet, the soldier of liberty, the mighty statesman!' Be damn, but we ought to be proud of him! ”

“ Flanagan afterward described in the Connaught Democrat as "a few well-chosen words." He said that the first duty of a living nation was to honor its dead heroes, and hinted that subscriptions must be liberal if a creditable statue was to be erected. He then introduced Mr. Caledon as a distinguished American, deeply interested in Bolivia, the author of the forthcoming life of General John Regan. Mr. Caledon said that he would not insult the audience he saw before him by recapitulating the facts of the life of General John Regan—facts as well, perhaps better, known to them than to him. ”

“ He's more," said Mr. Flanagan, "and if you haven't heard of him, which is what I can hardly believe of you, Michael O'Clery, you ought to have heard of him. Anyway, by next Monday night there won't be a man within five miles of Ballyguthrie but will be proud to call himself the fellow countryman of General John Regan."
The printing-press of the Connaught Democrat turned out a number of imposing green placards, which Carey, the town bill-sticker, posted on all the walls likely to catch the eye of any one coming into the town to attend the fair. ”

“ When the American gentleman is willing to subscribe as much as will pretty near pay for the statue, what harm can it do us to have it? Isn't it no more than right that we should do honor to the most famous man that ever came out of Ballyguthrie? ”

“ The owners of the various shops, drapers and publicans, appeared at their doors and stared at the car. Three small boys, eying the police dubiously, approached the car and prodded its tires with their fingers. Father Cassidy, a book in his hand, left the presbytery, walked slowly past the hotel, and inspected the rugs which littered the tonneau. Mr. Patsy Flanagan, chairman of the Urban District Council and proprietor of the Connaught Democrat, came out of the office of his paper and turned into the Imperial Hotel. He found Mr. ”