Los niños del Dresden

El orfanato irlandés de Capilla del Señor y las vidas que la historia olvidó

En mayo de 1891, mientras el fracaso de la colonia de Napostá se convertía en un escándalo en los medios de la época, un diario de Buenos Aires publicó una breve frase que hoy adquiere una dimensión enorme:

the boys have been located in an orphanage in Calle Cochabamba under the care of a committee of Irish ladies.

Detrás de esa línea había niños de las familias que habían llegado dos años antes a bordo del Dresden. Habían vivido en carne propia todos esos primeros días de arribo al puerto de Buenos Aires, habían viajado al medio de la nada, solo con puesto, para montar el proyecto de colonia que prometía tierras, prosperidad y una nueva vida en la Argentina. 

Algunos de estos niños habían perdido a sus padres. Otros habían sido separados de sus familias por la pobreza, las enfermedades o el abandono mismo.

Ese orfanato de la Calle Cochabamba sería el origen del Colegio Fahy.

Más de un siglo después, los nombres de algunos de esos chicos todavía pueden encontrarse en el Censo Nacional de 1895, registrados en Capilla del Señor junto a Sor Catalina de Cristo Dowling.

En el sitio de la Asociación de Señoras de San José (link del sitio) puede leerse una breve historia institucional sobre la llegada de inmigrantes irlandeses a la Argentina y la creación de una obra destinada a asistir a niños huérfanos. El texto conserva una memoria profundamente valiosa, aunque mezcla fechas, cifras y nombres.

La narración afirma que el barco llegó el 8 de febrero de 1889 y menciona al “City of Dresden”. Sin embargo, las listas de pasajeros y la documentación contemporánea sitúan el arribo del Dresden en Buenos Aires el 15 de febrero de 1889.

También aparecen exageraciones numéricas y simplificaciones inevitables en una memoria transmitida durante generaciones. Pero detrás de esas imprecisiones hay un núcleo histórico indiscutible: el recibimiento de los inmigrantes fue caótico: el proyecto colonizador de Napostá terminó en desastre, muchas familias quedaron en la miseria, familias que se separaron y disgregaron, hubo niños huérfanos o abandonados y la comunidad irlandesa y angloargentina fue la que organizó una red de ayuda concreta para asistirlos.

En mayo de 1891, el Liverpool Mercury publicó extractos del informe del vicecónsul británico Charles Ansell sobre la colonia de Napostá. El cuadro era devastador: malas cosechas, herramientas insuficientes, reducción de raciones, endeudamiento imposible de sostener y prohibiciones absurdas que impedían a los colonos salir a buscar trabajo cuando no tenían nada que hacer en la colonia.

El informe hacía referencia a 76 familias (397 personas) atrapadas en un sistema que prácticamente había colapsado. Las deudas superaban ampliamente el valor de las tierras y los colonos denunciaban haber sido tratados injustamente.

Argentina por ese entonces, entre mediados de 1889 y 1891, cae en una crisis económica fuertísima y una revolución con cambio de gobierno incluido que no hacía más que complicar todo el cuadro antes descrito.

Otro artículo del Irish Times resumía crudamente el problema:

The Argentine Government agents induced the poor people to leave home under false promises.

El sueño agrícola prometido a cientos de inmigrantes irlandeses e ingleses se había transformado en hambre, enfermedad y desintegración familiar.

Las noticias de la época mencionan además muertes por privaciones y enfermedades. La disentería aparece repetidamente en distintos testimonios vinculados a Napostá y a los primeros meses posteriores al desembarco.

Frente al colapso de Napostá, comenzó una vez más a organizarse una red de ayuda impulsada por el Consulado Británico, miembros de la comunidad irlandesa y distintas instituciones religiosas y benéficas de Buenos Aires.

Las noticias de 1891 muestran que la asistencia no fue improvisada ni marginal. Hubo reuniones públicas, colectas, campañas en la prensa y coordinación con el gobierno argentino.

En uno de los artículos más importantes de toda esta historia, The Standard relató el traslado de familias sobrevivientes a nuevas colonias en Santa Fe y Entre Ríos, y agregó un dato fue la piedra fundamental del colegio Fahy:

the Irish nuns hospitably received some of the little girls gratis, and the boys have been located in an orphanage in Calle Cochabamba under the care of a committee of Irish ladies.

La noticia permite además identificar a varias de las mujeres involucradas en la organización y financiación de la institución: Maria M. de Mulhall, Mrs. Thomas Duggan, Mrs. Hanly, Mrs. O’Farrell, Mrs. Nelson y Miss Ryan entre otras.

La red de socorro no fue solamente irlandesa. Participaron también miembros de la comunidad inglesa y figuras argentinas vinculadas al sistema migratorio y a instituciones de beneficencia.

La documentación contemporánea permite afirmar que el colegio Fahy nació primero como una respuesta de emergencia frente a la crisis de los inmigrantes del Dresden.

El 24 de mayo de 1891, The Standard publicó una nota titulada The Boys’ Orphanage donde aparece formalmente el nombre “Fahy School for Irish Boys”, ubicado en Cochabamba 146, Buenos Aires.

La publicación reproduce incluso una carta enviada por Maria Mulhall a Juan Alsina, Comisario General de Inmigración, agradeciendo una donación oficial de 4.000 pesos moneda nacional para sostener el orfanato, què aproximadamente a plata de hoy serían entre USD 60.000 y USD 70.000 (según la inflación histórica estadounidense de largo plazo).

La donación realizada por el gobierno argentino en 1891 representaba, más allá de la actualización, una suma enorme para la época como para sostener durante meses el funcionamiento del orfanato.

También se detallan los aportes económicos, los nombres de los donantes, la apertura de una cuenta bancaria y las instrucciones para solicitar vacantes para los chicos.

Todo esto muestra que el Fahy no surgió inicialmente como un colegio tradicional, sino como una institución creada para contener a niños afectados por una crisis concreta directamente relacionada con la historia del Dresden y el cierre de la colonia de Napostá.

Años más tarde, el establecimiento sería trasladado a Capilla del Señor.

Sor Catalina y el Fahy de Exaltación de la Cruz

Las reconstrucciones posteriores suelen mencionar a “Mother Catherine Dowlan” como responsable del colegio de Capilla del Señor. 

La documentación de las Hermanas Pobres Bonaerenses de San José identifica a la superiora como Sor Catalina de Cristo Dowling, quien asumió la conducción de la casa desde abril de 1893 (https://pobresbonaerensesdesanjose.com/storage/2022/09/Exaltacion-de-la-cruz-1893.pdf).

El establecimiento fue concebido como colegio de huérfanos irlandeses, espacio educativo y casa de asistencia para chicos afectados por la crisis migratoria.

En el Segundo Censo Nacional de 1895, realizado en Exaltación de la Cruz, vuelve a aparecer Sor Catalina de Cristo Dowling acompañada por una larga lista de niños irlandeses e ingleses alojados en la institución.

Esta lista del censo de 1895 incluye decenas de chicos:

• Mauricio Hickey

• Miguel José Lamb

• Orourk Lamb

• José O’Sullivan

• Timoteo Mac Namarra

• Juan Ward

• Santiago Ward

• Miguel Murphy

• Juan Farrel

• José Farrel

• Eugenio Carney

• Ricardo Kiernan

• James Nally

• Francisco Caffrey

Al cruzar esos nombres con la lista de pasajeros del Dresden, comienzan a aparecer coincidencias extraordinarias.

Mauricio Hickey coincide casi perfectamente con Maurice Hickey, un niño de cuatro años que viajó junto a Michael y Kate Hickey en 1889.

Timoteo Mac Namarra parece corresponderse con Timothy McNamara, hijo de Michael y Bridget McNamara.

Los casos de Miguel José Lamb y “Orouk” son todavía más sorprendentes: en el manifiesto del Dresden aparece una familia Lamb con los niños Joseph Lamb y Orourk Lamb. La rareza del nombre “Orourk” convierte ese cruce en una coincidencia extremadamente fuerte.

También aparecen posibles correspondencias para los hermanos Ward, varios O’Sullivan y distintos chicos Murphy y Farrell.

No todos los casos pueden cerrarse documentalmente. Algunos apellidos aparecen deformados, castellanizados o mal transcriptos. Pero el patrón general resulta difícil de ignorar: los niños del Fahy parecen ser, en muchos casos, los hijos de las familias que habían llegado a bordo del Dresden.

Mauricio Hickey: una vida después del Dresden

Décadas después del censo de 1895 aparece un presbítero llamado Mauricio Hickey desarrollando actividad pastoral en distintos puntos de la provincia de Buenos Aires.

La Guía Eclesiástica de la República Argentina de 1915 ya lo menciona como teniente cura en Lomas de Zamora.

Más tarde aparece como párroco en Salto, impulsando obras educativas, proyectos comunitarios y la creación de una Escuela y Banda Municipal en 1929.

También dejó huella en Temperley, donde promovió instituciones parroquiales y educativas vinculadas a Nuestra Señora de la Piedad y a la futura Escuela de Comercio Tomás Espora.

Cronológicamente, todo encaja de manera notable con el niño Maurice Hickey del Dresden y con el Mauricio Hickey registrado en el Fahy de Capilla del Señor en 1895.

Todavía no apareció el documento definitivo que permita afirmar que se trata de la misma persona.

Pero la convergencia biográfica, temporal y onomástica es demasiado fuerte para ignorarla.

Un niño inmigrante posiblemente huérfano terminó convertido, quizás, en sacerdote, educador y constructor de comunidad.

Pero sus padres no aparecen en registro alguno en Argentina. Hay una pista que podría ubicarlos en Estados Unidos en un registro de un nuevo nacimiento algunos años más tarde. Serían ellos? Habrían dejado al cuidado del Fahy a Mauricio y ellos re-emigrado? Ya lo sabremos.

La historia del Fahy School obliga a mirar el episodio del Dresden desde otro lugar.

No solamente como una experiencia migratoria fallida.

Sino también como una historia de infancia, desarraigo y supervivencia.

Detrás de cada apellido del censo había un chico que atravesó uno de los episodios migratorios más traumáticos de la historia irlandesa en la Argentina.

Muchos perdieron a sus padres.

Otros quedaron atrapados entre idiomas, instituciones y mundos desconocidos.

Y sin embargo, algunos lograron reconstruir sus vidas.

El Fahy no fue solamente una escuela.

Para muchos de esos chicos, fue probablemente la frontera entre el abandono y una segunda oportunidad.

Bolster Family

Dear Juan Pablo,

I only recently discovered that my grandfather and his parents, brothers, and sisters were part of the "Dresden Affair".They travelled from Ireland with eight children, ranging in ages from 14 to 2 years old.

Here are their names from the passenger list at the Immigrant Ships Transcribers Guild (http://immigrantships.net/irish_arg/irish_arg1889a.html)

788 Bolster George 38 m carpenter l 16 [my great-grandfather]
789 Bolster Mary 39 m dressmaker l 16 [my great-grandmother]
790 Bolster Elizabeth 14 s misstress l 16
791 Bolster Richard 13 s l 16
792 Bolster William 11 s l 16
793 Bolster George 9 s l 16
794 Bolster Annie 7 s l 16
795 Bolster Thomas 5 s 16
796 Bolster Robert 4 s 16
797 Bolster Joseph 2 s 16 [my grandfather]

Interestingly, they came from a different social background to most of the passengers on the Dresden.

Originally, they were both from the Protestant land-owning class. They married without their families' permission and against their wishes, and as a result were "cut off" and had to adapt to working in trade to make a living and provide for their (large) family.

From what I can see, there were several other members of the Bolster family living around Buenos Aires before the Dresden arrived. Certainly they come from the same parish in County Cork in Ireland, and were members of the British/Irish Protestant community in Buenos Aires. So perhaps my ancestors had been in contact with their emigrant relations and found them more liberal and less intolerant than their own families at home? Or perhaps they simply heard the wonderful tales that were being broadcast by the agents of the 'Dresden Affair', and fell victim to the dream of a better life, like so many of their compatriots.

However, I suspect they may have gone to Napostá. I base this on one thing - as a small child, my mother's Aunt Annie told her stories about how they had trekked in wagons across a long distance through open prairies and wilderness. It must have been a long journey, as my aunt remembered how they had animals with them that were killed for food on the journey, and also that my great-grandmother made soap and candles with the fat from these animals (and suffered chemical burns on her hands from the lye used in the process - my mother's aunt told the story that my great-grandmother had been born a 'lady' so her hands were white and spotless before going to Argentina, but after the chemical burns she always wore gloves when in public). Unfortunately, my mother didn't ask more questions (she was only a child and didn't realise it might be important, and of course everybody who knew the facts is now dead).

Anyway, wherever they went in Argentina, it wasn't a success, and in 1891 they sailed on the Helvius and returned to Ireland. (Again, according to my mother's aunt) they had a child in Argentina, but he/she didn't survive. It must have been a very emotional time for them to decided to return.

I have nothing linking them to Argentina other than the passenger lists and the stories my mother heard as a child. I only discovered the whole Dresden story through your website and SILAS. I wish I could find out more, and intend to do more research to see if I can discover more about what they did while they were there, and if they did indeed form part of the ill-fated expedition to Napostá.

The irony is that I took my son to Buenos Aires only a couple of years ago, and at that time we knew nothing about our family connection via the Dresden. We shall have to return before too long!

Anyway, I thought I would get in touch, and add another story to your collection. If you ever find more records pointing to Napostá and other Irish settlement, I will read about it with great interest!


Kind regards
Hugh (Bolster) Grant


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Whitepages in Argetina says that there are only 3 Bolster living in Buenos Aires city:

- Bolster Eduardo A - Monserrat, Ciudad de Buenos Aires
- Bolster Haydee M De - Flores, Ciudad de Buenos Aires
- Bolster Yolanda B  - Flores, Ciudad de Buenos Aires

Lista de Inmigrantes / Immigrant's List

Pasajeros de tercera clase en la cubierta de un barco de la NDL
Theird class passengers on board a NDL ship.

Foto: Gentileza Norddeutscher Lloyd Archives

A continuación encontrarán el link a la lista de pasajeros con toda la información. Poco a poco vamos actualizando datos. Actualmente estamos trabajando el puerto de origen de cada uno de los pasajeros. De ésta manera podrás ir viendo quiénes llegaron desde Queenstown (actual Cobh, Irlanda) y quiénes llegaron desde Southampton (Inglaterra). En esta planilla podrás utilizar las opciones de filtro para buscar apellidos específicos. Acceda a la lista de inmigrantes haciendo click aquí. Saludos cordiales,

Following you will find the link to the passenger list with all the information. Little by little we are updating the list with new details. Now we are working in the Original port of departure of each passenger. So you will be able to see whom they came from Queenstown (now Cobh, Ireland) and whom came from Southampton (England). In this spreadsheet you will be able to filtre specific names and surnames you are looking. Get the immigrant list by clicking here. Kind regards,


JP

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Reconocimientos: Gracias a SILAS y a Michael Geraghty, quienes generosamente nos brindaron la lista de pasajeros del SS Dresden, trascripta originalmente por el Centro de Estudios Migratorios Latinoamericanos (CEMLA). | Acknowledgements: Thanks SILAS and Michael Geraghty, who generously submitted the passenger list of the SS Dresden, originaly transcribed by Centro de Estudios Migratorios Latinoamericanos (CEMLA).

Stephens Family

Me contactó Stella Zuccarelli. Ella es descendiente de los Stephens que vinieron en el SS Dresden. Su bisabuela fue Mary Anne Stephens, hija de Robert y Rose. Mary Anne tenía 2 años cuando llegó a Buenos Aires en Febrero de 1889.

Stella me comenta que su padre solía contarle cómo era la vida por parte de su mamá y su familia irlandesa. Nunca le contaron el por qué habían venido para Argentina, pero sí que habían parte de la familia que se había quedado en Irlanda.

Los Stephens que vinieron en el barco fueron Robert (31) y Rose (23), los padres y John (14), Mary Anne (2) y Margaret (3 meses), los hijos. Junto a la familia vino la madrina de la pequeña Mary Anne, Mary Bennett (24) (figura en el Certificado de Bautismo).

Stella se decidió por investigar a su familia una vez que su padre falleció. Ella se encontró con la partida de nacimiento de su bisabuela Mary Anne junto con un puñado de historias que recordaba y fotos viejas de la familia.

Cuenta Stella "respecto a Mary Anne creo que el recuerdo de ella me trajo hasta aquí. Siempre se dedicó a la costura en casonas de Hurlinghan. Los Stephens eran de familia humilde. Solo su madrina Bennett adquirió otro estándar de vida. Siempre contaban de una artista hermana de ella en Irlanda. Esto es toda la información que tengo".

Stella está tratando de encontrar familiares tanto en Buenos Aires como en Irlanda que le puedan contar más qué fue de su familia y además sobre Mary Bennett.

Y finalmente agrega que "No quiero la ciudadanía ni nada por el estilo. Solo quiero saber de donde vienen mis raíces. De Italia solo tengo el apellido y el nombre. Pero las costumbres no se pueden evitar."

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Stella Zuccarelli has contacted me. She is descendant from the Stephens who came on board the SS Dresden. Her great-grandmother was Mary Anne Stephens, daughter of Robert and Rose. Mary Anne was 2 years old when she arrived to Buenos Aires in February 1889.

Stella told me that her father used to tell her how was his mother’s life about and of the rest of the Irish family. Nobody ever told her why the Stephens came to Argentina, but what they did to tell her was that some relatives had remained in Ireland.

The Stephens who came on the ship were Robert (31) and Rose (23), the parents, and John (14), Mary Anne (2) and Margaret (3 months), the children. Along with them, it came the Mary Anne's godmother, Mary Bennett (24) (contained in the Baptism certificate).

Stella decided to investigate his family after his father died. She found the baptismal certificate of her great-grandmother, Mary Anne, along with a handful of stories that she remember and some old family pictures.

Stella says "about Mary Anne I think that her remembrance brought me up to here. She was devoted to sewing in Hurlingham’s mansions. The Stephens were a humble family. Only her Godmother, Mary Bennett, got another standard of living. It was always said that Mary Bennett had an artist sister in Ireland. This is all the information I have."

Stella is trying to find relatives both in Buenos Aires and in Ireland that could tell her more about what was about her family and also about Mary Bennett’s life.

She finally adds that "I do not want the citizenship or anything like that I just want to know about my roots. From Italy I have only my name and surname. But habits ones cannot avoid."

Stella Zuccarelli

Mary Anne's Baptismal Certificate
Parish of St. John the Baptist - Blackrock Co. Dublin

Mary Anne Stephens

Mary Bennett

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Passenger List

Apellido	Nombre	Sexo	Ciudadania	Fecha de Partida	Puerto de Partida	Clase	Página de Registro	Edad
Stephens	Margaret	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	19	905
Stephens	Robert	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	19	31
Stephens	Rose	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	19	23
Stephens	John	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	19	14
Stephens	Mary	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	19	2

Bourke Family

Letter from Mrs Margaret Lyons (Nee Bourke) County Limerick to Mr. Peter Mulvany after the publication in the Limerick Leader of an article about the SS Dresden and the Project:

"Further to your letter on the Limerick Leader last week concerning the emigrants who embarked on the SS Dresden in Cobh for Buenos Aires in 1889. I am the Grandaughter of Louis Bourke who was one of them. I was told his wife died and that he took all his children with him. Then a relative told me that his wife went with him. This I’m not sure of. A friend of mine looked it up on a computer and he got the names of the people that went.They arrived on the 15/2/1889. Louis Bourke (Father), Ellen, John, Mary, Patrick, Kate, Margaret and James. Louis (The Father) came home and brought his son John with him. Louis re-married and my Father (Tom) was his son. The rest of the family stayed in Buenos Aires. I dont know anything about them. There must be a few of their off-spring still there. My father is dead since 1977. He often spoke of his step family in South America. My father was born in 1901, so my Grand Father came back at least a year or two before that. My father used to tell me that his father was working in some ranch looking after horses and cattle while he was in Argentina."

Carta de la Sra. Margaret Lyons (Nee Bourke) del condado de Limerick al Sr. Peter Mulvany luego de la publicación en el Limerick Leader de su artículo sobre el SS Dresden y el Proyecto de los Descendientes del Dresden:

"En respuesta a su carta en el Limerick Leader la semana pasada en relación con los emigrantes que se embarcaron en el SS Dresden en Cobh hacia Buenos Aires en 1889. Soy la nieta de Louis Bourke, quien fue uno de ellos. Me dijeron que su esposa murió y que se llevó a todos sus hijos con él. Luego, un pariente me dijo que su esposa se fue con él. De esto no estoy muy segura. Un amigo mío buscó en la computadora y encontró los nombres de las personas que fueron. Llegaron el 15/2/1889. Louis Bourke (padre), Ellen, John, Mary, Patrick, Kate, Margaret y James. Louis (el padre) se volvió y trajo con él a su hijo John . Se volvió a casar y mi padre (Tom) fue su hijo. El resto de la familia se quedó en Buenos Aires. No sé nada de ellos. Debe haber unos pocos descendientes aún por allá. Mi padre murió en 1977. A menudo hablaba de su familia en América del Sur. Mi padre nació en 1901, por lo que mi abuelo regresó al menos uno o dos años antes de esa fecha. Mi padre solía decirme que su padre había trabajado en algún rancho cuidando de los caballos y el ganado, cuando estuvo en Argentina."

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Passenger List

Bourke	Ellen	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	29	34	Servant
Bourke	Louis	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	29	33	Labourer
Bourke	John	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	29	11	Sin oficio por menor
Bourke	James	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	30	22	Labourer
Bourke	Mary	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	30	9	Sin oficio por menor
Bourke	Patrick	m	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	30	7	Sin oficio por menor
Bourke	Kate	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	30	5	Sin oficio por menor
Bourke	Margaret	f	English	15/02/1889	Queenstown	3	30	3	Sin oficio por menor

Letter from Mr. Byrne to The Souther Cross - Feb. 18th 1889

Following, the letter of Mr. Michael Byrne to The Southern Cross, telling some of his impressions his visit to the Hotel de Inmigrantes at the moment when the Irish and English from the SS Dresden where there.

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Buenos Aires, February 18th, 1889.

To the Editor of the Southern Cross.

Dear Sir:

In company with a friend, I visited the “Asilo” on Sunday morning and a more appalling sight I never before saw. I hope I shall never again behold such wretchedness. Long before I reached the Home, I was stopped by groups of half-starved creatures, whose blanched faces told the hardships the poor people were forced to endure. My friend proposed to take the women and children to a “café”, where they all got tea, bread and butter, he paying the bill. On leaving that group pretty satisfied with the “God-sent” breakfast, we crossed to the station , where we met group after group of starving people, who all complained of hunger. After saying a few encouraging words to the poor people, we passed into the Home, where after pushing our way through a motley crowd of Italians, we came in contact with the Irish.

The sight I shall never forget. Never, in this world shall that wretched scene of human misery fade from my mind. Numbers of half-starved men, women, and sickly children lay about in all directions, all crying loudly for something to eat, something to satisfy the intense pangs of maddening hunger. 

Owing to the great number of Italian immigrants who were located in the Home, prior to the women and children were lowed the miserable satisfaction of passing the night in the dining-room, the dirt of which would be hard to describe. However, it was better than those who had to remain under the inclemency of the skies, without a single thing to cover them or a dry place to lie upon. 

Quite a number of women remained walking about all night, their husbands refusing to let them go into the dirty dining-room, which, they told me, was infested with vermin of all descriptions.

On approaching one respectable looking old man with a sickly child in his arms he said: “Musha, Sor, could we get a sup of milk anywhere? Shure, it is not for myself I ax it, but for this poor child that is dying in my arms. Katie, the “creature”, God help her, is sick also, and poor Mary”, he added, pointing to his wife, who sat nursing another ragged child, “is lost entirely with two c ilder”. And with a look full of tenderness on the emaciated form of his wife, he went on “sure, if anything happened her, we were all lost complately”.

Such scenes were witnessed by all who visited the Immigrant’s Home, therefore it is useless to describe them. On moving a little farther I met Mr. John Drysdale went to the cookhouse and ordered that the breakfast be given at once. About 10 a.m. on Sunday morning the poor people got bread and meat for the first time that they had anything, since they left the steamship Dresden. A number of Irish and English ladies and gentlemen put in an appearance, and after a while a good number of the immigrants were taken away. Amongst others I noticed the following who did what they could to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate people; Mr. John Drysdale, Mr. E. Casey, Mr. Thomas Duggan, Mr. Michael Dinneen, Mr. J. F. Gahan, Mr. T. A. Gahan , Navarro; Mr. T. Gahan, Suipacha; Mr. W. Ham, Mr. and Mrs. John Cunningham, Father Constantine, Father Gaughren, and Father Adrian, Mr. N. C. Fitzgerald, Mr. James Ham, Mrs. Quiroga, Miss McGuire, Mr. J. Finnigan, and many others too numerous to mention.

Before evening many young girls were removed and the women and children began to stir about giving vent to their disappointed hopes, and repeating the false promises held out to them by the immigrant agents in Ireland. Oh! Mr. Editor, could these worthies behold their unfortunate dupes reeking in misery and want, it would prevent them sending another consignment of our countrymen to endure the perils of a wild goose chase to South America.

I don’t for a moment question these distinguished gentlemen’s right to earn good living, but I think, Sir, that they ought to earn it honestly. Fancy immigrants being told that when they arrived here, houses would be ready for them, lands given them, implements, seed, money, etc., etc; that Father Fahy was still living, and had a bank for supplying money to immigrants . Such gross falsehood may do for a time but must finally fall through. It is the duty of this present batch of immigrants to write home a true account of their hardship to their people, and not till them, will they prevent their countrymen from being so easily duped.

I remain, dear Sir, yours respectfully,

Michael J. Byrne

British Immigration Committee at Buenos Aires

In December 1888 the news about Messrs. O'Meara and Dillon as Propaganda Agents in Ireland, was already knew. There is an article published in "The Souther Cross" (that also mention a similar one the other newspaper "The Standard") that has a very interesting reflexion. This was the starting kick for the formation in Buenos Aires of a special Committee that could handle the large batch of immigrants coming from the British Isles. There is a second article published a month and a half later that speaks about the formation of the "British Immigrant Committee" and the resume of that first meeting. Hope you like it!

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Viernes 28 de Diciembre de 1888 - The Southern Cross

Immigration

We are glad to learn that our E.C. “The Standard” approves of the idea which we suggested last week that an association should be formed here consisting of persons from the British Isles without any distinction of English-speaking immigrants. We have no doubt that our American cousins would also gladly lend a hand in furthering so useful a work. The need for it is so urgent that it requires no further advocacy on our part. Suffice it to say that able workmen (our countrymen) are seen roaming through the streets daily because know not to whom to apply, and on the other hand we are assured by estancieros and others residing in the camp that the are in want of honest men and would pay them good wages.
With regard to the wicked project of O’Meara and Dillon to send poor families adrift on these shores without any guidance or protection, we shall repeat here the words of our Rosario correspondent who is a true Argentine patriot: “You cannot say too much to discourage the coming here of Irish families on speculation, unless they have capital to enable them to start on an independent flooting. I have heard of several very sad cases lately, of people who have been induced through false representations made by unscrupulous, or ignorant agents to leave comfortable homes in the United States and to come here, or to Cordoba to live on starvation wages, and to deny themselves every comfort they have been accustomed to. One case in particular was very sad; a family went up to Cordoba under circumstances I have mentioned.
They had not been there many weeks when one of the sons, a bright, promising young man, who, had he stayed in the United States, might have risen to any position in life, sickened and died, and now the family is making great sacrifices so as to get back and begin life again wight of their great sorrows and bereavement. There are many families striving to exist here, in one miserable room for which they pay half their earnings. Strong men, the heads of helpless families are paid 1.20 and 1.50 paper, per day, and they have to pay from $12 to $20, per month, for the pooreet kind of a room, and to put up with the unspeakable inconvenience, and run the great danger of living, eating, sleeping, and working in one crowded apartment, with all kinds of lodger in the same house, and every misery the flesh is heir to. It is no friendship to the country to send people out to such hopeless misery, whilst, on the other hand, it is the most heartless cruelty to the victims who, too frequently, lack the means to return whence they came.”
Finally we do not at all object to the suggestion made by the Standard that something should be done to unite the English-speaking people of Buenos Aires for their mutual benefit. We can be of use to one another in many ways while we still adhere to our opinions with respect to the national rights of our respective countries.

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Martes 12 de Febrero de 1889 - The Standard

Notice | A meeting will be held this day at 3 o’clock pm at the office of Messrs S. B. Hale and Co., No 50 Calle Reconquista, (new number) to consider the best measures to adopt for providing for the 1000 Irish emigrants expected to arrive today in Montevideo in S.S. Dresden. All who sympathize with the object of the meeting are respectfully invited to attend. Buenos Ayres, Feb. 11th 1889.
(signed) John Drysdale, Eduardo Casey, Tomas Duggan, C. H. Sanford & Edward Thomas Mulhall

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Miércoles 13 de Febrero de 1889 - The Standard 

The Irish Immigrants

A meeting was held yesterday at the office of Mesrs Samuel B. Hale & Co. with the object of considering the best course to pursue to afford every possible accommodation to the Irish Immigrants about to arrive by the SS Dresden. Mr. Casey was unanimously voted President and Mr. John Drysdale Vice President, who owing to Mr. Casey’s absence took the chair, Mr. F. H. Mulhall was named Secretary. We notice amongst those presents the following gentelmen: Michael Dinneen, Guillermo Walton, Williams, J W Reade, Thomas Duggan, Douglas Darkin, Eduardo Kenny, Miguel J. Byrne, Maurice Fleming, S. Lyndon Owen, Rev. F. Constantine, N.T. Rider Hancock, Rev. Eugene Ryan C.P., Samuel G. O’Farrell, C.H. Sanford, David Methven, Samuel Johnston, J. Mohr Bell, Michael Hearne, Edward J. Byrne, Pedro A. Connor, Hugh Nelson, John O’Connor, David A. Gartland, Ing Jes Smith, J.M. Conelly, John Nelson, John F. Pearson, F. H. Mulally, R.M. Runciman, R.A. Norton, J. M. Mulhall, Eduardo T. Mulhall, John Drysdale, Chas. Clarke, Francis A. Bowen . The chairman, in opening the proceedings said that he was glad to see such a large attendance of the principal merchants and bankers of this city and estancieros of the province. 

The immigrants would be here in a few days, and the object of the meeting was to see how they could be best cared for -they should be well received and, if possible, provided with situationism and he was sure that those present would do everything in their power to encourage the English speaking immigrant- everybody would be willing to assist in this good work and privude employment for the new comers. Father Gaughren stated that Mr. Gartland had offered to take over five hundred familis and settle them on his lands near Bahia Blanca, giving each family forty squares of land, and means of subsistence to the amount of 1000 m/n per family, charging interest at the rate of 9% per annum. This would include the cost of management of the colony, and he would allow the colonists from ten to 12 years for reimbursement. He would open a store on the colony, provided with all necessaries for the settlers. He was willing to withdraw his proposal should a more favourable one be offered. He was merely prompted by a wish to benefit the emigrants. Mr. M. Dinneen, Editor of the Southern Cross, said that this proposal should be receive full consideration. He, therefore, proposed that a sub-committee be appointed and that some gentleman should be nominated to see whether the land was suitable for farming.  

Mr. Jonstone, the well-known shipbroker , stated that the Irish Immigrants of the Dresden were in charge of the Head of the Immigration Department, Mr. Samuel Navarro. He added that this was the largest consignment of immigrants from the north ever sent to this country. Minister Quirno Costa, he knew, was anxious to do all in his power to help the new arrivals, but it was expedient that some gentleman should superintend their treatment at the Emigrant’s home, and provide for their separation from Italian arrivals.

At this juncture the following letter from the indefatigable British Consul, Mr. Ronald Brigett, was read:-

British Consulate. Buenos Aires, 12th February, 1889

Dear Mulhall, I see your name attached to a notice calling a meeting to concert measures to find employment for a large number of expected British Immigrants. I should like to have attended, but the shortness of the notice and the necessity of sitting on a Commission to take evidence in a lawsuit pending in England prevents my doing so. Last week I interviewed Mr. Sundblad , the Comisario General de Inmigracion and he did not appear to apprehend difficulty in treating the new arrivals. I mentioned the formation of a British Immigration Aid Society had been mooted, and he expressed his opinion that the need did not exist, as the Argentine Government lauded, housed, fed and sent to destination, all free of charge, any new arrivals. Doubtless, however, he will be glad to cooperate with any Committee which may be formed. He showed me the Asilo, and as I was there at dinner-time, I had the opportunity of seeing the food, which was excellent and plentiful. The sleeping accommodation appeared good, due regard being paid to the separation of the sexes. Married people had rooms apart. While you were at Committee I wrote a notice for The Standard calling upon all those who had land to offer or who wished to give sheep on shares to make known their requirements to Mr. Sundblad at the Immigration Department. There is an Infirmary at the Asilo, but as many of the arrivals may prefer treatment at the British Hospital. I have already written to the Hon. Secretary enquiring how many beds are vacant.

Yours sincerely,
Ronald Bridgett

Mr. Dinneen then asked that an interpreter be appointed to give the immigrants information about the country and state their requirements.
Mr. E.T. Mulhall, Editor of the Standard, proposed the formation of the following sub-committe: Lord Mayor Cranwell , Father Constantine, Mr. John Drysdale, Mr. M. Dinneen, Father Gaughan, Mr. F. Mulhall, Mr. David Methven.
Mr. Thomas Duggan suggested that all proposals for accommodation of the immigrants be submitted to the above sub-committee as well as look after them on their arrival.
Mr. Christie stated that he would be happy to give employment to a few families.
At this juncture, it was stated that Minister Quirno was ready to give employment to 20 or 30 adults, start them at 20 dollars per month, all found, on his estancia.
A letter from Mr. Smart (1) was read, offering employment to all tailors among the arrivals.
Mr. Bowen, the well-known capitalist, thought that Mr. Gartland’s proposal deserved serious consideration, as it involved, so to say, the creation of a bank with a capital of $400.000, the care-taking of thousands people, and the foundation of a distrinctive Irish colony. The people, he said, were not dropped in a wilderness, and authorities were near to redress any grievances. In the vicinity of a market, so to say, independent of a railway, they could cart their own produce. A committee should be appointed to get the very best terms for the people and by all means to found an Irish Colony. Mr Sewell, be stated, had offered to proceed to Mr. Gartland’s estate and report thereon. Mr. Sundlad had offered to suplly 250 tents until the immigrants put up wooden houses, and Father Gaughan voluntared to accompany them as chaplain.
Mr. Runciman thought that if this proposal were accepted the immigrants would be in very good hands, and Mr. E. T. Mulhall suggested that in case of sickness the patients should be sent to the British Hospital.
Mr. Francis Mulhall, Mr. Dinneen, and Father Gaughan stated they would have much pleasure in going to Montevideo to meet the immigrants.
Mr. C. H. Sanford, of the firm Samuel B. Hale & Co., said that he was very much pleased at the proposal to these gentlemen to go to Montevideo, as it would afford an excellent opportunity (…) the feelings and expectations of the emigrants.
Mr. Dinneen suggested that some sort of a permanent association be formed to assist English-speaking emigrants coming to this country and this was a splendid opportunity of starting it with success. Seconded by Mr. Sanford it was carried unanimously, the following gentlemen giving their names and voluntearing to assist in the good work:-(some names above)
The proceedings then terminated, Mr. Runciman proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Gartland, which was likewise unanimously carried. Votes of thanks then followed to the Chairman and Messrs S. B. Hale and Co. for placing their offices at the disposal of the association.
The proceedings of the meeting were taken down by Mr. Robert Keogh, to whose services we are indebted for the above minute report.

(1) - Mr. Smart was James Smart, the English Tailor (click for related link)