“Nebraska settlement, as it was called, embracing all that territory from Kansas to Canada, and from the Missouri to the Rocky Mountains, was thrown open for settlement in 1854. A large number of Irish were among the early settlers. In 1857 a convention was held in Buffalo to perfect plans for establishing Irish colonies in the West. Delegates assembled from all over the country. Three large colonies started as a result of this convention—one led by Father Trecy founded St. Patrick’s Colony in Nebraska, now Jackson. Another, under Father Powers, of Pennsylvania, went to Missouri, and a third went to Minnesota. In the latter state, additional Irish colonies have been established. They endured almost untold trials and hardships in a new and wild country. Father Trecy’s colony celebrated its Golden Jubilee in July, 1907, a dozen of the original settlers being present. Greeley County, Nebraska, is practically an Irish county, being settled almost exclusively by Irishmen, especially is this true of the towns of Greeley Center, O’Connor, Spalding and O’Neill. “Instances of this kind might be indefinitely extended. Notwithstanding this fact, we have been criticised for not going in larger numbers upon the broad prairies and fertile lands of the West. I admit the farmer’s life is the ideal one, but it took something more than hands and limbs and brains, too, to go upon a farm. It required money even when land was cheapest. How could a family in Ireland, turned out on the roadside by the crowbar brigade, who with the greatest difficulty could scrape enough together to pay their passage to America, be expected upon their arrival to purchase land and agricultural implements, to go farming with? It was hardly within the possibilities. Even if the father came alone, as he often did, he was compelled to go to work on the first opportunity to provide for his immediate wants and save something to send to the half-starving family at home or pay the passage to America. And, if it was a son or daughter who managed to come, they were ever striving to send for one more of the family or likely enough, to send the greater part of their hard earnings to pay the exorbitant rent of the heartless landlord. I know whereof I speak. I am a living witness of those happenings. As a boy, I was compelled to leave the land of my birth, and I can say without affectation, that I never experienced more real joy than I did when making my first remittance to Ireland. Though I knew the ultimate destination of most of it was the landlord’s pocket, still I think I had more pleasure in sending than he had in receiving it. “‘More true joy Marcellus exiled feels, Than Caesar with a Senate at his heels.’