Nicholas C. Ryan and Tom Kelly

RYAN, KELLY

Posted By: G. T. Flynn
Date: 10/17/2012 at 19:23:54

OLD TOM KELLY HAD ONE FRIEND. Nick Ryan, only did he place confidence in. Owned Kelly's Bluff and buried gold there. Nicholas C. Ryan, after a residence of fifty-two years in Dubuque, has taken his departure from this city, to make his future home with his son,Emanuel in Duluth, Minn.Mr Ryan was one of the early merchants of Dubuque and for thirty years was engaged in the retail grocery business on Main street. He was one of the prominent citizens of the early days, and served two terms as aiderman from the First Ward. Making a good record in the city council.He is now 74 years of age. His wife died 10 years ago. And his children all grown and left Dubuque years ago. His wife was a cousin of the late Bishop Thomas L. Grace of St.Paul,Minn. He said before going that he did not like to leave the city where the best years of his life were spent,and and where he he had many warm friends. But he desired to be with his son. All who knew him will wish him well in his new home.
The late Tom Kelly, an eccentric, old miner, who came here about 1837, and who owned the Kelly's bluff property,was an intimate friend of Mr.Ryan. He always made it a point to purchase all his groceries and provisions at Mr.Ryan's store. Tom discovered rich lead mines and was reputed to be worth thousands of dollars. He lived in a cabin on the bluff that bears his name, and always mined by himself. On one occasion when he went east in connection with a sale of lead ore, two men attempted to rob him in New York. But Tom killed one of them and the other made his escape. He was arrested and detained in custody for some time. But was finally released and returned to Dubuque. When he died a search of his cabin was made and two or three tin cans full of gold were found and given to his relatives.
Mr.Ryan was one of the men in whom he placed great confidence. He had always dealt with him in an honorable way, and had thus made a lasting friend of the old miner. Mr.Ryan's word with Tom was just as good as his oath.

Dubuque Daily Globe Journal May 19,1900