arrested on visit to Helena on charge of provoking false arrests of so-called innocent wolfers. I have heard Donnelly brag on this with my own ears. I bring this all back to your mind to show that these scoundrels stop at nothing.
2. Johnny Healy, Chairman of Choteau County Democrats and Sheriff of Fort Benton. You Mounted Police pushed him out of the whiskey trade and shut down Fort Whoop-Up, costing Mr. Healy plenty of hard cash in lost profits selling porch climber to British Indians. So he is no friend of yours. Fenian sympathizer and well situated to make political trouble.
3. Lastly, biggest troublemaker of them all is rumoured to be in vicinity, General John O’Neill. Three times led Irish Republican Army into Canada, namely Ridgeway, Pigeon Hill, and not too long ago went to the Red River to prod the half-breeds into rebellion against the lawful government, throw us Canadians out and petition Congress to take Manitoba into U.S. of A. Had backing of Governor of Minnesota and members of Congress. On his way to Red River attacked Hudson Bay post he thought was on Canadian territory, but same was on American territory. So Army arrested him, but he was let out of jail in a blink of the eye because authorities here in this country fear power of Irish vote and mollycoddle them something scandalous.
Now as is plain to see, I know what I’m talking about and as a good patriot I will watch these mischief-makers for you and report all plots they are hatching that comes to my attention. But as I said before you brushed me off so rude, sir, keeping an eye on these scum is dangerous business and costly in out-of-pocket expenses. But I will do it cheap, at the price of $50 a month, and if you don’t think that a bargain you must be a Jew. I would think hard about my offer if I was you because I will look to your interests and those of our country. I can’t speak fairer than that. If you come to see the light, I can be reached at the Stubhorn, Fort Benton.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Dunne
All the while he has been reading, Case has been aware of Walsh’s boots impatiently scuffling under his desk. He only loses that sound when he comes across the name of General O’Neill, a disconcerting encounter. When he lifts his eyes from the document, Walsh eagerly demands, “So what do you make of that?”
“Dunne has a point – a small point – about the trouble the Irish in Montana may create.”
Walsh’s countenance darkens, believing that a criticism of him has been levelled. “You mean to say I was wrong to turn him out?”
“No, you were right to do that. This Dunne creature could be himself working for the Fenians. Or playing both sides of the fence – trying to collect a monthly stipend from you while at the same time peddling to the Irish whatever he picks up from his association with the Police. That sort of man is better kept at arm’s length. It’s never advisable to take snakes to your bosom.”
“I thought as much,” says Walsh, although it is clear to Case he hadn’t.
“Nevertheless, it might be wise if you warned Secretary Scott of the possibility of Irish political agitation. I wouldn’t exaggerate the peril. Simply intimate something disagreeable might be expected, give a sober alert to the go he ent that they can take under advisement. If trouble does arise, you will look perspicacious.”
Walsh leans forward over the desk. “Is it possible that Dunne is Secretary Scott’s man? I wouldn’t put it past the old bugger, putting me to the test to see if I show what he calls initiative.”
The suspicion is so preposterous that only Walsh’s anxious look prevents Case from smiling. “Hardly. The secretary has more important things to do than to lay traps for a mere subinspector. The minute you walked out of his office, you walked out of his mind. Only if you make a misstep will he take notice of you again.” He sees that the phrase “mere sub-inspector” is not sitting well with the Major. But
2. Johnny Healy, Chairman of Choteau County Democrats and Sheriff of Fort Benton. You Mounted Police pushed him out of the whiskey trade and shut down Fort Whoop-Up, costing Mr. Healy plenty of hard cash in lost profits selling porch climber to British Indians. So he is no friend of yours. Fenian sympathizer and well situated to make political trouble.
3. Lastly, biggest troublemaker of them all is rumoured to be in vicinity, General John O’Neill. Three times led Irish Republican Army into Canada, namely Ridgeway, Pigeon Hill, and not too long ago went to the Red River to prod the half-breeds into rebellion against the lawful government, throw us Canadians out and petition Congress to take Manitoba into U.S. of A. Had backing of Governor of Minnesota and members of Congress. On his way to Red River attacked Hudson Bay post he thought was on Canadian territory, but same was on American territory. So Army arrested him, but he was let out of jail in a blink of the eye because authorities here in this country fear power of Irish vote and mollycoddle them something scandalous.
Now as is plain to see, I know what I’m talking about and as a good patriot I will watch these mischief-makers for you and report all plots they are hatching that comes to my attention. But as I said before you brushed me off so rude, sir, keeping an eye on these scum is dangerous business and costly in out-of-pocket expenses. But I will do it cheap, at the price of $50 a month, and if you don’t think that a bargain you must be a Jew. I would think hard about my offer if I was you because I will look to your interests and those of our country. I can’t speak fairer than that. If you come to see the light, I can be reached at the Stubhorn, Fort Benton.
Yours sincerely,
Michael Dunne
All the while he has been reading, Case has been aware of Walsh’s boots impatiently scuffling under his desk. He only loses that sound when he comes across the name of General O’Neill, a disconcerting encounter. When he lifts his eyes from the document, Walsh eagerly demands, “So what do you make of that?”
“Dunne has a point – a small point – about the trouble the Irish in Montana may create.”
Walsh’s countenance darkens, believing that a criticism of him has been levelled. “You mean to say I was wrong to turn him out?”
“No, you were right to do that. This Dunne creature could be himself working for the Fenians. Or playing both sides of the fence – trying to collect a monthly stipend from you while at the same time peddling to the Irish whatever he picks up from his association with the Police. That sort of man is better kept at arm’s length. It’s never advisable to take snakes to your bosom.”
“I thought as much,” says Walsh, although it is clear to Case he hadn’t.
“Nevertheless, it might be wise if you warned Secretary Scott of the possibility of Irish political agitation. I wouldn’t exaggerate the peril. Simply intimate something disagreeable might be expected, give a sober alert to the go he ent that they can take under advisement. If trouble does arise, you will look perspicacious.”
Walsh leans forward over the desk. “Is it possible that Dunne is Secretary Scott’s man? I wouldn’t put it past the old bugger, putting me to the test to see if I show what he calls initiative.”
The suspicion is so preposterous that only Walsh’s anxious look prevents Case from smiling. “Hardly. The secretary has more important things to do than to lay traps for a mere subinspector. The minute you walked out of his office, you walked out of his mind. Only if you make a misstep will he take notice of you again.” He sees that the phrase “mere sub-inspector” is not sitting well with the Major. But
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