As I was looking through the new offerings at the Boston Public Library recently, I came across a book titled "Chief O'Neill's sketchy recollections of an eventful life in Chicago" - sure enough, it's a printing of the memoir Francis O'Neill wrote down in his later years. Interesting stuff, although there's almost nothing about the tunes. His comments on Emma Goldman and the various goings-on (Haymarket, Pullman strike, that sort of thing) won't win him any favor with Dick Gaughan for one, but he doesn't seem like a half-bad sort of guy. His time as a sailor might be compared to other stories - Garibaldi's, for example, who came a little earlier, or B. Traven's "The Death Ship", which was a little later - and it fits right in with them.
For the tune fanciers, there is one great picture, a group photo of the "Irish Music Club of Chicago". Among those pictured, we find Father Dollard, Ed Cronin, John McFadden, Thomas Dunphy, James Early, James Cahill, Adam Tobin, John McElligott, and so forth - it seems just about every member of the club got a tune in the book.
So, for those interested in pursuing the odd litle fragments like this, it's published by Northwestern University Press, 2008, edited by Ellen Skerrett and Mary Lesch
You can buy it from Amazon.
"'This remarkable memoir of immigration and assimilation provides a rare view of urban life in Chicago in the late 1800s by a newcomer to the city and the Midwest, and the nation as well. Francis O’Neill left Ireland in 1865. After five years traveling the world as a sailor, he and his family settled in Chicago just shortly before the Great Fire of 1871.
As O’Neill looked back on his life, writing in Chicago at the age of 83, he could give first-hand accounts of Pullman strike of 1894, the railway strike of 1903, and the packinghouse strike of 1904. He could also reflect on the corruption that kept him, in spite of his innovations, extremely high exam scores, and performance, subject to powerful aldermen who prevented his advance as a member of the Chicago Police Department. Despite these obstacles, O’Neill eventually rose to be chief of police--a position from which he could enact much-needed civil service reform. In addition to his professional success, O’Neill is also remembered and beloved for his hobby, preserving traditional Irish music.
O’Neill’s story offers perspective on the inner workings of the police department at the turn of the twentieth century. His memoir also brings to life the challenges involved in succeeding in a new land, providing for his family, and integrating into a new culture. Francis O’Neill serves as a fine documentarian of the Irish immigrant experience in Chicago."
For those interested in this subject, I found these well worth a read:
'A Harvest Saved', a biography of Francis O'Neill by Nicholas Carolan
'The Scribe: The Life and Works of James O'Neill' by Caoimhin Mac Aoidh.
BTW, does anyone know where I can get hold of a copy of Francis O'Neill's "Irish Folk Music - A Fascinating Hobby"?
Dave, you'll have to try all of the usual online second-hand booksellers (e.g. ABE books). Don't know what the prices for these are now, but they were pricy enough when I bought them (around £50-75 sterling).
I have a copy of Minstrels, fortunately - I'll just have to hope IFM-AFH turns up at a sensible price. I'm not optimistic, though, I've only seen one and I think that was a in the £200 - £300 range.
Thanks for that link, kilfarboy. That will satisfy my curiosity in the meantime.
O'Neill's Autobiography
O'Neill's Autobiography
As I was looking through the new offerings at the Boston Public Library recently, I came across a book titled "Chief O'Neill's sketchy recollections of an eventful life in Chicago" - sure enough, it's a printing of the memoir Francis O'Neill wrote down in his later years. Interesting stuff, although there's almost nothing about the tunes. His comments on Emma Goldman and the various goings-on (Haymarket, Pullman strike, that sort of thing) won't win him any favor with Dick Gaughan for one, but he doesn't seem like a half-bad sort of guy. His time as a sailor might be compared to other stories - Garibaldi's, for example, who came a little earlier, or B. Traven's "The Death Ship", which was a little later - and it fits right in with them.
For the tune fanciers, there is one great picture, a group photo of the "Irish Music Club of Chicago". Among those pictured, we find Father Dollard, Ed Cronin, John McFadden, Thomas Dunphy, James Early, James Cahill, Adam Tobin, John McElligott, and so forth - it seems just about every member of the club got a tune in the book.
So, for those interested in pursuing the odd litle fragments like this, it's published by Northwestern University Press, 2008, edited by Ellen Skerrett and Mary Lesch
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by Jon Kiparsky
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
You can buy it from Amazon.
"'This remarkable memoir of immigration and assimilation provides a rare view of urban life in Chicago in the late 1800s by a newcomer to the city and the Midwest, and the nation as well. Francis O’Neill left Ireland in 1865. After five years traveling the world as a sailor, he and his family settled in Chicago just shortly before the Great Fire of 1871.
As O’Neill looked back on his life, writing in Chicago at the age of 83, he could give first-hand accounts of Pullman strike of 1894, the railway strike of 1903, and the packinghouse strike of 1904. He could also reflect on the corruption that kept him, in spite of his innovations, extremely high exam scores, and performance, subject to powerful aldermen who prevented his advance as a member of the Chicago Police Department. Despite these obstacles, O’Neill eventually rose to be chief of police--a position from which he could enact much-needed civil service reform. In addition to his professional success, O’Neill is also remembered and beloved for his hobby, preserving traditional Irish music.
O’Neill’s story offers perspective on the inner workings of the police department at the turn of the twentieth century. His memoir also brings to life the challenges involved in succeeding in a new land, providing for his family, and integrating into a new culture. Francis O’Neill serves as a fine documentarian of the Irish immigrant experience in Chicago."
http://www.amazon.com/ONeills-Sketchy-Recollections-Eventful-Chicago/dp/0810124653
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by dafydd
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
Interesting.
For those interested in this subject, I found these well worth a read:
'A Harvest Saved', a biography of Francis O'Neill by Nicholas Carolan
'The Scribe: The Life and Works of James O'Neill' by Caoimhin Mac Aoidh.
BTW, does anyone know where I can get hold of a copy of Francis O'Neill's "Irish Folk Music - A Fascinating Hobby"?
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by DaveL35
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
Thanks for the review all; very interesting!
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by Keith Dubinsky
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
Dave, you'll have to try all of the usual online second-hand booksellers (e.g. ABE books). Don't know what the prices for these are now, but they were pricy enough when I bought them (around £50-75 sterling).
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by continuo
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
Full text of both Minstrels and Irish Music :
http://billhaneman.ie/history.html
# Posted on December 6th 2008 by Prof. Prlwytzkofski
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
I have a copy of Minstrels, fortunately - I'll just have to hope IFM-AFH turns up at a sensible price. I'm not optimistic, though, I've only seen one and I think that was a in the £200 - £300 range.
Thanks for that link, kilfarboy. That will satisfy my curiosity in the meantime.
# Posted on December 7th 2008 by DaveL35
Re: O'Neill's Autobiography
My thanks to Davy & Mr. Kiparsky. Very informative info on an essential figure in Irish trad. !!
# Posted on January 8th 2009 by hauke