Memorial of James Jeffrey Roche.
Under the skies of that brave mountain land,
Where Alpine shepherds feudal might defied,
Where struggling freedom warring cent’ries spanned,
There in the shadows of the hills he died.
He died as dies some long sweet summer day,
When fruits are golden on the burdened trees;
The sun’s pale glory on the sky’s blue gray,
And night comes fragrant on the cooling breeze.
They brought him home and laid him down to rest,
To sleep forever in his narrow bed,
Amid the scenes and friends that he loved best,
At rest forever with his sacred dead.
Joseph Smith, in the Boston Traveler.
James Jeffrey Roche was born in the little Quaker town of Mountmellick in Queen’s County, Ireland, the son of Edward and Mary (Doyle) Roche and was taken while yet an infant of a few weeks, to Prince Edward’s Island, whither his parents emigrated. He grew up in Charlottetown, where his father Edward Roche, an accomplished scholar, conducted a school; and he supplemented the training given him by his scholarly father by a course at the Jesuit College of St. Dunstan’s in Charlottetown, from which he was graduated. Among his college classmates were Chief Justice Sullivan of Prince Edward’s Island and Archbishop O’Brien of Halifax, N. S.
Mr. Roche settled in Boston in 1866 and was engaged in business there for some years; but his peculiar gifts and tastes drew him to journalism and letters; and in 1883 he became one of the staff of the Pilot, under his brilliant friend John Boyle O’Reilly; and after his death he succeeded to the post of editor-in-chief of the paper which he filled with vigor and brilliancy, in full keeping with the traditions of such predecessors as Thomas D’Arcy Magee, O’Reilly and others. The Pilot was the avowed champion not only of the Irish people and of their religion, but it stood ready to do battle with persecution, injustice, intolerance and wrong, no matter against what race or creed they were directed; and no individual paper in the world did better or more effective work for the men and cause of the Irish race; and under the management of James Jeffrey Roche, zeal and fidelity to all good causes were always fortified by sanity and justice and tempered by humor, good temper and a fine inhospitality to passion and demagoguery.
While devoting most of his time and talents to his editorial work and duty, he still found opportunities to turn to the field of letters of a more enduring character. A writer of virile and picturesque prose, James Jeffrey Roche will always be best known as a poet whose verse is marked by beauty, sweetness, lyrical quality and a belle esprit all his own, and ranging in scope from the light, brilliant and witty vers de société to such serious and compelling poems as his “Babylon.” His “Songs and Satires” is a volume that sparkles with wit and rapier-like touches. His “Ballads of Blue Water” is a book for American men and patriots, unique and stirring; the ballads will live while Americans look back with pride to the deeds of an heroic past; and no American singer has written any better ballads of action than “The Armstrong Privateer,” “The Constitution,” “The Alamo” and other stirring songs. His “Life of John Boyle O’Reilly” was the tribute of a devoted friend and admirer to a man and comrade he loved and labored with, and is a biography whose literary excellence is amazing when we consider the pressure under which it was written. His other prose work varied from the brilliant accuracy and gravity of “The Story of the Filibusters” (republished by the Harpers as “The Byways of War”) to those airy medleys of fun and philosophy “Her Majesty the King” and “The Sorrows of Sap’ed,” which have made the world laugh and think.
A close personal friend and admirer of President Theodore Roosevelt, he was appointed by him American Consul at Genoa, Italy, in 1904, when his health being precarious, a change of work and climate became necessary; and in 1907 the President transferred him to the capital of Switzerland, Berne, where he lived until the final call came to him.
When in 1896 I broached to a few interested friends the project of establishing an organization which would bring together men of the Irish race interested in gathering and perpetuating the record of the achievement of that race on this American continent, and preserving it in such form that historians could utilize it and thus ensure us our share of the honor and credit of upbuilding the American Republic, I found him sympathetic and enthusiastic in the matter; and out of those gatherings and discussions sprang the movement which resulted in the foundation of the American Irish Historical Society. James Jeffrey Roche, John Linehan, Hamilton Murray and I drew up the call, signed it, secured other signatures, called a meeting at the Revere House, Boston, Mass., 20th January, 1897, and the Society was born. He became one of the members of the Executive Council and for many years we attended its meetings and outings until conditions and circumstances stopped our attendance without attenuating our interest in its progress.
Personally, James Jeffrey Roche was one of the most lovable and charming of men, who carried under a surface of wit and joyous frivolity a nature whose depth, sincerity, devotion to ideals, capacity for friendship, passion for freedom, love of race and motherland, high-minded patriotism and loyalty to duty and honor, were understood only by those who knew him intimately. He hated all meanness and dishonor; friendship was a sacred thing to him; and he had that clairvoyant vision of the poet which saw the humbug and pharisee under the skin of the charlatan, when many a reputedly wiser and more sophisticated man accepted the demagogue and pretender at their own valuation.
I knew him for many years; to me he was as my own flesh and blood; I could not love a brother more; and his death was merely the final chapter in the grief I experienced when he went from Boston to represent the Republic abroad, in such physical condition that I knew I would never look upon his face again in life; and I know that in voicing my own sorrow I am but expressing the feelings of those who were comrades in the past and lovers of him always. He had reached the zenith of his literary powers before he left the land of his adoption and love forever; and he himself realized that his work was done, and that only the official duties of his consular position remained to preoccupy him until the final call.
Besides a host of friends, he left a wife, a son and a daughter to mourn his passing; and while the idle reader of contemporary literature may time and again derive pleasure and profit from his joyous wit, and gentle philosophy, his intimates and brothers in soul will seldom meet without recalling with a hush and a sigh the friend and comrade who has passed and who awaits them where work and worry, sweat and sorrow, are no more forever.
He was buried in Holyhood Cemetery, Brookline, Mass., within a stone’s throw of the spot where sleep his comrades in the flesh, John Boyle O’Reilly, Thomas J. Gargan and Patrick A. Collins, his grave marked by a handsome granite column adorned with a bronze tablet, erected by a group of friends who loved him in life and mourn him in death. May he sleep in peace; for no gentler, sweeter spirit was ever added to the company of Heaven than James Jeffrey Roche.
The following list of applicants for membership in the Society was read by the secretary-general, and by unanimous vote they were duly elected members:
John J. Kenney, New Brighton, Staten Island, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
William Gilbert Davies, 32 Nassau Street, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Martin Hughes, Hibbing, Minn, (proposed by Hon. C. D. O’Brien).
Patrick F. McBreen, 404 Munroe Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Thomas Murphy, Irvington-on-Hudson, New York (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
Dr. Thomas E. Dolan, 250 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).
Jeremiah D. Leary, 246 Clark Place, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).
Rev. Cornelius F. O’Leary, Wellston, St. Louis, Mo. (proposed by Michael J. Jordan).
Frank L. Tooley, D. D. S., 157 East 79th Street, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Martin I. J. Griffin, 1935 North 11th Street, Philadelphia, Pa. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
John C. McGuire, Hotel St. George, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Rev. Thomas J. McCarty, 1011 Douglas Street, Sioux City, Iowa (proposed by Bishop P. J. Garrigan).
William J. Delaney, Saratoga Springs, N. Y.
Patrick L. Hughes, 1 Blackstone Street, Boston, Mass.
Edgar Stanton Maclay, Standard Union, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by Thomas Z. Lee).
Michael W. Norton, Narragansett Hotel, Providence, R. I.
Dr. John P. Reilly, 215 Elizabeth Avenue, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by James L. O’Neil).
Joseph F. McLoughlin, attorney-at-law, 2 Rector Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).
Peter J. Dufficy, 120 West 59th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).
Joseph Murray, 1245 Madison Avenue, New York City (proposed by Edmond J. Curry).
Rev. James J. Murphy, Ph. D., 1011 Douglas Street, Sioux City, Iowa (proposed by Bishop P. J. Garrigan).
J. C. Delaney, Department of Factory Inspection, Harrisburg, Pa. (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
Peter J. Gibbons, M. D., 49 Park Avenue, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
Charles J. Perry, World Building, Park Row, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
William T. A. Fitzgerald, Court House, Boston, Mass. (proposed by James H. Devlin, Jr.; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).
Edward Hamilton Daly, 54 Wall Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).
John B. White, 121 East 86th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).
Edward D. Farrell, 158 West 125th Street, New York City (proposed by T. Vincent Butler).
Col. P. J. Nevins, Haverhill, Mass, (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
William F. Downey, 1622 L Street, Washington, D. C. (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Richard J. Donovan, 170 Broadway, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
John E. McGuire, Haverhill, Mass, (proposed by Dr. M. F. Sullivan).
Constantine J. McGuire, 120 East 60th Street, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
Jeremiah A. O’Leary, 38 Park Row, Manhattan, New York (proposed by John J. Daly).
Gen. Michael Kerwin, Broadway Central Hotel, New York City (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
Edward Tingent, 68 Broad Street, Elizabeth, N. J. (proposed by Francis J. Quinlan, M. D.).
James P. Conway, 296 East 3rd Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by John J. Daly).
Leo F. Farrell, 171 Westminster Street, Providence, R. I. (proposed by Francis I. McCanna).
Dennis A. Spellissy, 302 Broadway, New York City (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Rev. John Brosnan, Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York (proposed by J. J. Lenehan).
Peter L. Keough, 41 Arch Street, Pawtucket, R. I. (proposed by John T. F. MacDonnell).
John E. Murphy, Bretton Hall Hotel, New York City (proposed by John E. O’Brien).
Rev. William A. Keefe, Norwich, Conn. (proposed by Edmond J. Curry).
Michael W. Sullivan, Century Building, Washington, D. C. (proposed by David Healy).
Joseph E. G. Ryan, Chicago Inter Ocean, Chicago, Ill. (proposed by Frank S. Colton).
William Gilshenan, New York City (proposed by T. P. Kelly).
Rev. M. A. McManus, Newark, N. J.
Thomas F. Kilkenny, Providence, R. I. (proposed by M. W. Norton; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
Thomas F. Mulry, president Immigrants’ Savings Bank, Brooklyn, N. Y. (proposed by M. E. Bannin).
Hon. Lawrence P. Lee, Ellis Island, N. Y. (proposed by Thomas Z. Lee).
John Woods, 297 Broadway, South Boston, Mass. (proposed by Michael Maynes; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).
John Howlett, 49 Portland Street, Boston, Mass. (proposed by Michael Maynes; seconded by Michael J. Jordan).
M. J. Sheehy, merchant, Foot 39th Street, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
PETER FENELON COLLIER.
Late Editor and Publisher of Collier’s Weekly. Deceased April, 1909.
James C. Shannon, vice-president David Shannon Company, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
William C. Burke, contractor, 143 Liberty Street, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
James F. Mack, attorney-at-law, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
Joseph Rowan, attorney-at-law, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce; seconded by John F. O’Connell).
John L. Murray, 223 West 42d Street, New York City (proposed by M. H. Cox; seconded by Bernard J. Joyce).
Major Thomas F. Lynch, United States Army Building, Whitehead Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).
Daniel S. Mahoney, 131 Charles Street and 277 Broadway, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).
Charles B. O’Connor, New York State Construction Company, Broad Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).
Frank T. Molony, 70 Jane Street and 277 Broadway, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).
Joseph T. Ryan, 149 Broadway, New York City (proposed by Henry L. Joyce).
Patrick J. Haltigan, editor Hibernian, Washington, D. C.
Stephen McFarland, 44 Morton Street, New York City (proposed by John Jay Joyce).
Stephen McPartland, 134 W. 92d Street, New York City (proposed by H. G. Bannon).
Stephen J. McPartland, 391 West End Ave., New York City (proposed by H. G. Bannon).
P. J. Nee, 1341 Girard Street, Washington, D. C.
John J. Buckley, 99 Nassau Street, New York City (proposed by John J. Daly).
In addition to the above, Ernest Van D. Murphy, first lieutenant, Twenty-Seventh Infantry, United States Army, Havana, Cuba, was elected a life member of the Society.
Mr. Michael F. Dooley, Treasurer-General of the Society, presented the following report, covering the period from January 28, 1908, to January 15, 1909, and the same was adopted by unanimous vote:
| Providence, R. I., January 15, 1909. | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Irish Historical Society. | ||||
| Amount on hand at last report, January 28, 1908 | $2,003.05 | |||
| RECEIPTS. | ||||
| 1908. | ||||
| Feb. | Received on account of N. Y. dinner | $297.00 | ||
| Feb. | Membership fees | 105.00 | ||
| March | Membership fees | 100.00 | ||
| May | Membership fees | 180.00 | ||
| June | Membership fees | 35.00 | ||
| July | Membership fees | 280.00 | ||
| Aug. | Membership fees | 285.00 | ||
| Sept. | Membership fees | 280.00 | ||
| Oct. | Membership fees | 520.00 | ||
| Nov. | Membership fees | 500.00 | ||
| Dec. | Membership fees | 520.00 | ||
| Dec. | From Western News Co., for one Journal | 2.00 | ||
| Dec. | From Secretary-General, contribution for Sullivan Memorial Tablet dedication | 112.00 | ||
| 1909. | ||||
| Jan. | Membership fees | 230.00 | ||
| Interest from bank | 29.19 | |||
| $3,475.19 | ||||
| Total receipts | $5,478.24 | |||
| DISBURSEMENTS. | ||||
| 1908. | ||||
| Feb. 4. | Jas. J. Armstrong, quartet at New York banquet | $30.00 | ||
| Feb. 7. | T. P. Kelly, expenses at New York banquet | 352.57 | ||
| Feb. 17. | T. H. Murray, salary and postage | 55.00 | ||
| Feb. 28. | Rumford Printing Company | 24.50 | ||
| Feb. 29. | Anna M. Burns, clerical work | 8.00 | ||
| Feb. 29. | T. H. Murray, postage | 5.00 | ||
| March 16. | T. H. Murray, salary and clerical assistance | 60.00 | ||
| March 25. | T. H. Murray, postage | 5.00 | ||
| April 9. | T. H. Murray, clerical assistance | 16.00 | ||
| April 29. | T. H. Murray, salary and postage | 55.00 | ||
| May 16. | T. H. Murray, salary and postage | 62.00 | ||
| June 10. | Mrs. T. H. Murray, expense for two years, messenger, telephone, telephone tolls and postoffice expenses in forwarding mail | 168.00 | ||
| June 17. | Geo. H. Chandler, funeral expenses, Thos. H. Murray | 307.15 | ||
| June 17. | Michael J. Jordan, expenses at funeral T. H. Murray | 15.47 | ||
| Nov. 6. | Michael J. Jordan, carriage hire at funeral T. H. Murray | 5.00 | ||
| June 18. | Mrs. Murray, salary | 50.00 | ||
| July 11. | Mrs. Murray, salary | 12.00 | ||
| July 11. | Gerry & Murray, supplies | 4.00 | ||
| July 11. | Thos. Groom & Co., supplies | 2.95 | ||
| July 18. | Livermore & Knight Co., stationery for Treasurer-General | 3.50 | ||
| July 18. | Mrs. Murray, salary, postage and telephones | 67.45 | ||
| July 24. | Postage, Treasurer-General | 2.00 | ||
| July 24. | Rumford Printing Company, printing of year book | 679.49 | ||
| July 24. | Rumford Printing Company, general printing | 10.81 | ||
| July 29. | A. W. Lang, stationery for Treasurer-General | 7.50 | ||
| Aug. 13. | Mrs. Murray, postage | 10.00 | ||
| Aug. 19. | Mrs. Murray, salary and telephone | 55.00 | ||
| Sept. 1. | Rhode Island Printing Company, circular letters | 14.60 | ||
| Sept. 10. | Thos. Groom & Co., supplies | .75 | ||
| Sept. 10. | Rumford Printing Company, general printing | 6.32 | ||
| Sept. 10. | Postage, Treasurer-General | 1.00 | ||
| Sept. 17. | Mrs. Murray, salary, postage, telephone and other expenses | 64.80 | ||
| Oct. 10. | Express on box from Mrs. Murray | .60 | ||
| Oct. 17. | Mrs. Murray, salary, postage and telephone | 60.00 | ||
| Oct. 23. | Postage for Treasurer-General | 1.00 | ||
| Oct. 27. | M. J. Jordan, expense incurred at Mr. Gargan’s funeral | 46.75 | ||
| Nov. 7. | Snow & Farnham Company, printing, Secretary-General | 9.98 | ||
| Nov. 7. | Snow & Farnham Company, postage stamps and envelopes | 40.00 | ||
| Nov. 13. | John J. Lenehan, expenses incurred as chairman membership committee | 28.78 | ||
| Nov. 13. | John J. Lenehan, printing bills for membership committee | 100.90 | ||
| Nov. 13. | Mrs. Murray, salary, postage, messenger and telephones | 63.00 | ||
| Nov. 21. | Remington Printing Company, general printing for Secretary-General | 4.75 | ||
| Nov. 28. | John J. Lenehan, expenses incurred by membership committee | 74.10 | ||
| Dec. 2. | Thos. Z. Lee, expense incurred as Secretary-General | 20.26 | ||
| Dec. 15. | Mrs. Murray, salary, postage and telephone, etc. | 59.00 | ||
| Dec. 18. | Postage, Treasurer-General | 1.00 | ||
| Dec. 18. | David B. Hall, lunch in connection with dedication of Sullivan Memorial Tablet | 109.80 | ||
| Jan. 8. | John J. Lenehan, committee on new members, clerical help | 28.00 | ||
| Jan. 8. | John J. Lenehan, committee on new members, postage | 15.00 | ||
| Jan. 8. | Preston & Rounds Company, record book for members’ dues | 1.00 | ||
| Jan. 14. | Thos. Z. Lee, typewriter and table for Secretary-General | 99.50 | ||
| Jan. 14. | Snow & Farnham Company, general printing for Secretary-General | 43.85 | ||
| Jan. 14. | Snow & Farnham Company, general printing Secretary-General | 51.20 | ||
| Jan. 14. | Services of stenographer reporting in typewriting dedication exercises Sullivan Memorial Tablet | 20.00 | ||
| Exchange charges on checks | .40 | |||
| $3,309.73 | ||||
| Balance in National Exchange Bank | 2,438.51 | |||
| $5,478.34 | ||||
| Summary of Receipts and Disbursements. | ||||
| From January 28, 1908, to January 15, 1909. | ||||
| RECEIPTS. | ||||
| Balance on hand January 28, 1908 | $2,003.05 | |||
| Received from membership fees, old members | $2,220.00 | |||
| Received from old member life membership fee | 50.00 | |||
| Received from new members annual fees | 515.00 | |||
| Received from new members, life membership fees | 250.00 | |||
| On account of New York dinner | 297.00 | |||
| For one Journal | 2.00 | |||
| Special contributions for Sullivan Memorial Tablet dedication exercises | $112.00 | |||
| Interest from bank | 29.19 | |||
| $3,475.19 | ||||
| Total receipts | $5,478.34 | |||
| DISBURSEMENTS. | ||||
| Salary secretary | $550.00 | |||
| Printing Year Book | 679.49 | |||
| Balance on New York dinner | 382.57 | |||
| Funeral expenses of Secretary Murray | 327.62 | |||
| Expenses incurred at Mr. Gargan’s funeral | 46.75 | |||
| Lunch on occasion of dedication of Sullivan Memorial Tablet | 109.80 | |||
| Expenses of Membership Committee | 246.78 | |||
| Expenses of Treasurer-General: | ||||
| Stationery | $11.00 | |||
| Postage | 5.00 | |||
| Book | 1.00 | |||
| Exchange | .40 | |||
| 17.40 | ||||
| Expenses of Secretary-General Thos. Z. Lee: | ||||
| Typewriter and table | $99.50 | |||
| Printing | 109.78 | |||
| Postage | 40.00 | |||
| General expenses | 20.26 | |||
| 269.54 | ||||
| Stenographer, special report Sullivan Tablet Dedication | ||||
| Exercises | 20.00 | |||
| Expenses Secretary-General’s office, Mrs. Murray: | ||||
| Boston postoffice forwarding mail | $6.00 | |||
| Express | 2.40 | |||
| Clerical help | 34.00 | |||
| Supplies | 7.70 | |||
| Printing | 56.23 | |||
| Postage | 88.00 | |||
| Telephone | 67.45 | |||
| Telephone tolls | 60.00 | |||
| Messenger | 68.00 | |||
| $389.78 | ||||
| Balance in National Exchange Bank, Providence, R. I., January 15, 1909 | $2,438.51 | |||
| $5,478.24 | ||||
| Permanent Fund American Irish Historical Society. | ||||
| 1909 | ||||
| Jan. 15. | Amount of deposit with the National Exchange Bank, Providence, R. I. | $127.56 | ||
A motion was made that the next annual meeting of the Society be held in New York City, at a time and place to be later appointed, and after some discussion the motion prevailed.
The meeting thereupon adjourned.
Attest:
Thomas Zanslaur Lee,
Secretary-General.
MICHAEL FRANCIS COX, M. D., F. R. C. P. I., M. R. I. A., 26 Merrion Square, Dublin.
Vice-President for the Society for Ireland.