BARNEY O'CONNEL

Ed Hunt of Huntsville, south of Annawan, tells the history of Barney O'Connel, who once lived on the Frank Greenhagen place. Barney was a bach­ elor in a log cabin. This was more than half a century ago. One morning the cakes were half dough, and Barney got mad, and swore he'd have a wife.

He put a jug of whiskey in his wagon, and, starting east on the old state road, he called at every house and asked if there was a woman within who would wed. Finally one said she'd have him. He bundled her into the wagon, and drove to the nearest authorized official, where they were married. Barney gave the officiating officer a dollar and a York shilling. They lived happily for many years, and got rich. Barney would go to town, fill up on red liquor, and drive home like a hurricane, going slap bang through the bars, which he would replace next day

. All along the road he would call the people the most absurd names, and he had a name for every one. Among his breaks was one which prompted him to hurrah for Jeff Davis. Many a row resulted from this practice. After many years he and his wife quarreled and separated. Then they made up and moved to Kewanee. Here they lived happily for many years, and were at the high tide of bliss when some unhallowed villain offered to bet Barney that he could not drink a quart of whiskey at one inning. With sublime confidence in a capacity which had been time-tried and fire tested.

Barney made the bet, and did the feat ; but it laid him low. Something was wrong with the plumbing. So Barney made an exceedingly spirituous exit from a world which is gross and materialistic.

 

History of Henry County

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