Jan. 12. Thomas D. O’Brien, St. Paul, Minn., is today appointed insurance commissioner of Minnesota by Governor Johnson. Jan. 16. Hon. Thomas H. Carter, a member of the Society, is today again elected United States senator from Montana. Jan. 24. The annual meeting and dinner of the Society takes place at the Hotel Manhattan, New York City. Jan. 24. Died today in Dorchester (Boston), Mass., Mary, the widow of Thomas O’Neil, a veteran of the Mexican and Civil wars. In view of the death of his widow, a few words regarding O’Neil will be of interest. He served bravely in the Mexican War, during which he distinguished himself by saving Franklin Pierce, afterwards president of the United States. Pierce was badly wounded, when O’Neil rescued him and taking him on his own horse, dashed away with him to a place of safety. In the home of Mrs. McFarlane, her daughter, where Mrs. O’Neil spent the latter part of her life, are two interesting testimonials of the bravery of O’Neil during the war. One is a Bible, the gift of President Pierce, with this inscription: “For the children of Sergeant Thomas O’Neil, who was in my military family during the war with Mexico, and by his courage and fidelity earning my confidence and affectionate regard. Franklin Pierce. Washington, D. C., May 22, 1853.” The other is a beautiful silk Mexican flag, finely worked and colored, which O’Neil captured. It was made in a convent. It now hangs over his portrait in the parlor. O’Neil promptly responded to Lincoln’s call for volunteers when the Civil War broke out. He received the distinction of being offered in one day two commissions, one from Governor Andrew of Massachusetts, as captain, and one from New York. He accepted the latter and as captain recruited and went to the front with a regiment which afterwards became part of Meagher’s Irish brigade. For his distinguished services on the field of battle he was promoted to the rank of major. He resigned in 1862, with the intention of returning to Boston to raise another company for the war, but a few days afterwards fell from his horse and died of his injuries.