William Bernard O'Donoghue

William Bernard O'Donoghue (* 1843 in County Sligo, Ireland, † March 16, 1878 in St. Paul, Minnesota) was an Irish-American rebel who during and after the Red River Rebellion in today's Canadian province of Manitoba, a played important role.

Biography

O'Donoghue emigrated in 1850 to the United States and later became an active member of the Fenian Brotherhood. In 1868, he met in Port Huron missionary Vital Grandin know and traveled with him in the Red River colony where he worked as a teacher. He broke off his studies in theology and graduated in August 1869 led by Louis Riel Métis rebel at. On December 22, he helped Riel to confiscate the assets of the Hudson 's Bay Company at Fort Garry. Five days later, he was appointed treasurer of the Provisional Government. On February 18, 1870, he prevented along with Ambroise Lépine - Dydime a coup attempt by the radical Canadian party.

By the time O'Donoghue was always dissatisfied with the leadership style of Louis Riel; he thought he was too willing to compromise and to pro-British. After the arrival of the Red River Expedition of Garnet Wolseley on August 24, 1870, he was forced to flee together with Riel across the border. However, it soon came to a break, because he was of the opinion that the U.S. Army should intervene on behalf of the Métis. When President Ulysses S. Grant refused a petition, O'Donoghue led the beginning of October 1871, a group of 35 armed supporters of the Fenian Brotherhood. He wanted to fall with them the Red River colony and a republic proclaimed him as president.

As Riel still had great influence, there was a lack of support O'Donoghue and the attack failed quickly. He was taken by the Métis and extradited to Minnesota. The American authorities left him unmolested. O'Donoghue then worked as a teacher in Dakota County. In 1878, he died in St. Paul (Minnesota ) to tuberculosis.