Article Published in Hennessey Clipper April 20,1989.
Photo of Pat Hennessy Provided by Hennessey Clipper.
Why Pat Hennessy is Remembered
Patrick Hennessy—Irish immigrant, Union Soldier, wagon freighter—was also one of the last victims of an Indian uprising in the United States. He is remembered in the name of Hennessey. (Note: we can find no explanation for the extra "e" which appears in the town's name, but not his.)
Hennessy was heading up a three-wagon train hauling supplies south from Wichita, Kansas, to the Darlington Indian Agency, in July 1874.
Following reports of a band of marauding Indians, attacks on several settlements and the killing of William Watkins north of the Agency on July 2, Hennessy and his companions laid over at Buffalo Springs to let the trouble die down before proceeding.
Accompanying Hennessy were George Fant and Tom Calloway, wagon drivers, and Ed Cook, riding along with them to the Indian Agency.
Late in the afternoon of July 4, the group apparently decided to proceed, obviously believing the Indian band had quieted down, or left the area.
They had traveled only about six miles south before they were attacked by what had been reported to be a mixed band of Cheyennes, Comanches, Kiowas, and Osage Indians. It is theorized that the Indians spotted the three wagons rolling south, and secreted themselves in the canyons and rough breaks in the shale beds, west of the present day town site to prepare for an ambush.
Hennessy and his men apparently put up a battle before being overcome by the renegades, as his rifle was reported to have been found with a cartridge jammed in the action. All four men were killed and scalped, although Hennessy was the only one apparently tied between the wheels of a wagon surrounded by sacks of grain, burned-- possibly alive.
A man on horseback, known only as Brooks, is reported to have witnessed the attack, as he was riding south, somewhat behind Hennessy's wagons. He then rode back north to Buffalo Springs and alerted the people there.
The party from Buffalo Springs rode to the scene, buried Hennessy's three companions returned to the Springs leaving Hennessy's remains with the burned wagon.
His burial was to wait until Indian Agent John Miles came upon the scene July 5, while riding north from Darlington. He was buried in a shallow grave scooped out near the trail west of the present town which bears his name.
As the years passed, travelers on the Chisholm trail added to his grave marker, stone by stone, creating a rustic monument to the courageous Irishman. When the town of Hennessey was founded and platted, his grave was moved to a park, west of the town.
Later, Mrs. Annett B. Ehler presented a parcel of land to the town for park purposes, and Hennessy's grave was moved to that location. The park was provided with an ironwork fence, a musical bell tower, and Mrs. Ehler also added a massive granite boulder with a bronze plaque to mark the grave.
Research has shown that Patrick Hennessy was born to John Hennessy and Nory Walsh, in County Cork, Ireland, in 1837. He attended several schools, including the equivalent of college before emigrating to Canada in 1860 with his two brothers.
By 1862, he had come to the United States, as records show that he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Artillery, and he probably saw action in the Civil War with that unit.
He is listed in the police records of Wichita, Kansas, as having been arrested and paid a $2 fine for minor infractions there on a Saturday night. He apparently resided in an area of the town frequented by freighters and muleskinners.
Little else is known about his activities until he is mentioned by Indian Superintendent Enoch Hoag, Lawrence, Kansas, as being in charge of |"Laflerie's wagon train".
Although there was earlier controversy as to the identity of his killers-- Indians or white outlaws masquerading as Indians-- Ralph Goodman, an Indian seems to have cleared it up.
An early newspaper report quotes his as saying he was told at a dinner in the late 1930's , by a Cheyenne Chief, Howling Cloud, that the Chief was part of the war party that formed near what is now Watonga. They traveled northeast to the massacre site, where the chief said a brave named Littlehand was the one who actually killed Hennessy.
Following the killings, Howling Cloud said the group returned to a camp named Hit the Buffalo for a victory dance.
Contributor #49761643 also supplied this information:
Born in Ballymacoda, Co Cork and also served with 22nd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War.
Photo of Pat Hennessy Provided by Hennessey Clipper.
Why Pat Hennessy is Remembered
Patrick Hennessy—Irish immigrant, Union Soldier, wagon freighter—was also one of the last victims of an Indian uprising in the United States. He is remembered in the name of Hennessey. (Note: we can find no explanation for the extra "e" which appears in the town's name, but not his.)
Hennessy was heading up a three-wagon train hauling supplies south from Wichita, Kansas, to the Darlington Indian Agency, in July 1874.
Following reports of a band of marauding Indians, attacks on several settlements and the killing of William Watkins north of the Agency on July 2, Hennessy and his companions laid over at Buffalo Springs to let the trouble die down before proceeding.
Accompanying Hennessy were George Fant and Tom Calloway, wagon drivers, and Ed Cook, riding along with them to the Indian Agency.
Late in the afternoon of July 4, the group apparently decided to proceed, obviously believing the Indian band had quieted down, or left the area.
They had traveled only about six miles south before they were attacked by what had been reported to be a mixed band of Cheyennes, Comanches, Kiowas, and Osage Indians. It is theorized that the Indians spotted the three wagons rolling south, and secreted themselves in the canyons and rough breaks in the shale beds, west of the present day town site to prepare for an ambush.
Hennessy and his men apparently put up a battle before being overcome by the renegades, as his rifle was reported to have been found with a cartridge jammed in the action. All four men were killed and scalped, although Hennessy was the only one apparently tied between the wheels of a wagon surrounded by sacks of grain, burned-- possibly alive.
A man on horseback, known only as Brooks, is reported to have witnessed the attack, as he was riding south, somewhat behind Hennessy's wagons. He then rode back north to Buffalo Springs and alerted the people there.
The party from Buffalo Springs rode to the scene, buried Hennessy's three companions returned to the Springs leaving Hennessy's remains with the burned wagon.
His burial was to wait until Indian Agent John Miles came upon the scene July 5, while riding north from Darlington. He was buried in a shallow grave scooped out near the trail west of the present town which bears his name.
As the years passed, travelers on the Chisholm trail added to his grave marker, stone by stone, creating a rustic monument to the courageous Irishman. When the town of Hennessey was founded and platted, his grave was moved to a park, west of the town.
Later, Mrs. Annett B. Ehler presented a parcel of land to the town for park purposes, and Hennessy's grave was moved to that location. The park was provided with an ironwork fence, a musical bell tower, and Mrs. Ehler also added a massive granite boulder with a bronze plaque to mark the grave.
Research has shown that Patrick Hennessy was born to John Hennessy and Nory Walsh, in County Cork, Ireland, in 1837. He attended several schools, including the equivalent of college before emigrating to Canada in 1860 with his two brothers.
By 1862, he had come to the United States, as records show that he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Artillery, and he probably saw action in the Civil War with that unit.
He is listed in the police records of Wichita, Kansas, as having been arrested and paid a $2 fine for minor infractions there on a Saturday night. He apparently resided in an area of the town frequented by freighters and muleskinners.
Little else is known about his activities until he is mentioned by Indian Superintendent Enoch Hoag, Lawrence, Kansas, as being in charge of |"Laflerie's wagon train".
Although there was earlier controversy as to the identity of his killers-- Indians or white outlaws masquerading as Indians-- Ralph Goodman, an Indian seems to have cleared it up.
An early newspaper report quotes his as saying he was told at a dinner in the late 1930's , by a Cheyenne Chief, Howling Cloud, that the Chief was part of the war party that formed near what is now Watonga. They traveled northeast to the massacre site, where the chief said a brave named Littlehand was the one who actually killed Hennessy.
Following the killings, Howling Cloud said the group returned to a camp named Hit the Buffalo for a victory dance.
Contributor #49761643 also supplied this information:
Born in Ballymacoda, Co Cork and also served with 22nd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War.
Article Published in Hennessey Clipper April 20,1989.
Photo of Pat Hennessy Provided by Hennessey Clipper.
Why Pat Hennessy is Remembered
Patrick Hennessy—Irish immigrant, Union Soldier, wagon freighter—was also one of the last victims of an Indian uprising in the United States. He is remembered in the name of Hennessey. (Note: we can find no explanation for the extra "e" which appears in the town's name, but not his.)
Hennessy was heading up a three-wagon train hauling supplies south from Wichita, Kansas, to the Darlington Indian Agency, in July 1874.
Following reports of a band of marauding Indians, attacks on several settlements and the killing of William Watkins north of the Agency on July 2, Hennessy and his companions laid over at Buffalo Springs to let the trouble die down before proceeding.
Accompanying Hennessy were George Fant and Tom Calloway, wagon drivers, and Ed Cook, riding along with them to the Indian Agency.
Late in the afternoon of July 4, the group apparently decided to proceed, obviously believing the Indian band had quieted down, or left the area.
They had traveled only about six miles south before they were attacked by what had been reported to be a mixed band of Cheyennes, Comanches, Kiowas, and Osage Indians. It is theorized that the Indians spotted the three wagons rolling south, and secreted themselves in the canyons and rough breaks in the shale beds, west of the present day town site to prepare for an ambush.
Hennessy and his men apparently put up a battle before being overcome by the renegades, as his rifle was reported to have been found with a cartridge jammed in the action. All four men were killed and scalped, although Hennessy was the only one apparently tied between the wheels of a wagon surrounded by sacks of grain, burned-- possibly alive.
A man on horseback, known only as Brooks, is reported to have witnessed the attack, as he was riding south, somewhat behind Hennessy's wagons. He then rode back north to Buffalo Springs and alerted the people there.
The party from Buffalo Springs rode to the scene, buried Hennessy's three companions returned to the Springs leaving Hennessy's remains with the burned wagon.
His burial was to wait until Indian Agent John Miles came upon the scene July 5, while riding north from Darlington. He was buried in a shallow grave scooped out near the trail west of the present town which bears his name.
As the years passed, travelers on the Chisholm trail added to his grave marker, stone by stone, creating a rustic monument to the courageous Irishman. When the town of Hennessey was founded and platted, his grave was moved to a park, west of the town.
Later, Mrs. Annett B. Ehler presented a parcel of land to the town for park purposes, and Hennessy's grave was moved to that location. The park was provided with an ironwork fence, a musical bell tower, and Mrs. Ehler also added a massive granite boulder with a bronze plaque to mark the grave.
Research has shown that Patrick Hennessy was born to John Hennessy and Nory Walsh, in County Cork, Ireland, in 1837. He attended several schools, including the equivalent of college before emigrating to Canada in 1860 with his two brothers.
By 1862, he had come to the United States, as records show that he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Artillery, and he probably saw action in the Civil War with that unit.
He is listed in the police records of Wichita, Kansas, as having been arrested and paid a $2 fine for minor infractions there on a Saturday night. He apparently resided in an area of the town frequented by freighters and muleskinners.
Little else is known about his activities until he is mentioned by Indian Superintendent Enoch Hoag, Lawrence, Kansas, as being in charge of |"Laflerie's wagon train".
Although there was earlier controversy as to the identity of his killers-- Indians or white outlaws masquerading as Indians-- Ralph Goodman, an Indian seems to have cleared it up.
An early newspaper report quotes his as saying he was told at a dinner in the late 1930's , by a Cheyenne Chief, Howling Cloud, that the Chief was part of the war party that formed near what is now Watonga. They traveled northeast to the massacre site, where the chief said a brave named Littlehand was the one who actually killed Hennessy.
Following the killings, Howling Cloud said the group returned to a camp named Hit the Buffalo for a victory dance.
Contributor #49761643 also supplied this information:
Born in Ballymacoda, Co Cork and also served with 22nd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War.
Photo of Pat Hennessy Provided by Hennessey Clipper.
Why Pat Hennessy is Remembered
Patrick Hennessy—Irish immigrant, Union Soldier, wagon freighter—was also one of the last victims of an Indian uprising in the United States. He is remembered in the name of Hennessey. (Note: we can find no explanation for the extra "e" which appears in the town's name, but not his.)
Hennessy was heading up a three-wagon train hauling supplies south from Wichita, Kansas, to the Darlington Indian Agency, in July 1874.
Following reports of a band of marauding Indians, attacks on several settlements and the killing of William Watkins north of the Agency on July 2, Hennessy and his companions laid over at Buffalo Springs to let the trouble die down before proceeding.
Accompanying Hennessy were George Fant and Tom Calloway, wagon drivers, and Ed Cook, riding along with them to the Indian Agency.
Late in the afternoon of July 4, the group apparently decided to proceed, obviously believing the Indian band had quieted down, or left the area.
They had traveled only about six miles south before they were attacked by what had been reported to be a mixed band of Cheyennes, Comanches, Kiowas, and Osage Indians. It is theorized that the Indians spotted the three wagons rolling south, and secreted themselves in the canyons and rough breaks in the shale beds, west of the present day town site to prepare for an ambush.
Hennessy and his men apparently put up a battle before being overcome by the renegades, as his rifle was reported to have been found with a cartridge jammed in the action. All four men were killed and scalped, although Hennessy was the only one apparently tied between the wheels of a wagon surrounded by sacks of grain, burned-- possibly alive.
A man on horseback, known only as Brooks, is reported to have witnessed the attack, as he was riding south, somewhat behind Hennessy's wagons. He then rode back north to Buffalo Springs and alerted the people there.
The party from Buffalo Springs rode to the scene, buried Hennessy's three companions returned to the Springs leaving Hennessy's remains with the burned wagon.
His burial was to wait until Indian Agent John Miles came upon the scene July 5, while riding north from Darlington. He was buried in a shallow grave scooped out near the trail west of the present town which bears his name.
As the years passed, travelers on the Chisholm trail added to his grave marker, stone by stone, creating a rustic monument to the courageous Irishman. When the town of Hennessey was founded and platted, his grave was moved to a park, west of the town.
Later, Mrs. Annett B. Ehler presented a parcel of land to the town for park purposes, and Hennessy's grave was moved to that location. The park was provided with an ironwork fence, a musical bell tower, and Mrs. Ehler also added a massive granite boulder with a bronze plaque to mark the grave.
Research has shown that Patrick Hennessy was born to John Hennessy and Nory Walsh, in County Cork, Ireland, in 1837. He attended several schools, including the equivalent of college before emigrating to Canada in 1860 with his two brothers.
By 1862, he had come to the United States, as records show that he enlisted in the 2nd Regiment of the Illinois Volunteer Artillery, and he probably saw action in the Civil War with that unit.
He is listed in the police records of Wichita, Kansas, as having been arrested and paid a $2 fine for minor infractions there on a Saturday night. He apparently resided in an area of the town frequented by freighters and muleskinners.
Little else is known about his activities until he is mentioned by Indian Superintendent Enoch Hoag, Lawrence, Kansas, as being in charge of |"Laflerie's wagon train".
Although there was earlier controversy as to the identity of his killers-- Indians or white outlaws masquerading as Indians-- Ralph Goodman, an Indian seems to have cleared it up.
An early newspaper report quotes his as saying he was told at a dinner in the late 1930's , by a Cheyenne Chief, Howling Cloud, that the Chief was part of the war party that formed near what is now Watonga. They traveled northeast to the massacre site, where the chief said a brave named Littlehand was the one who actually killed Hennessy.
Following the killings, Howling Cloud said the group returned to a camp named Hit the Buffalo for a victory dance.
Contributor #49761643 also supplied this information:
Born in Ballymacoda, Co Cork and also served with 22nd Illinois Infantry during the American Civil War.
Gravesite Details
GPS location is, Latitude: 36.112835, Longitude: 97.90223
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