By Sandy Vasko

Women’s Month continues with a story that began with a murder, and it ended with a woman with a gun in her hand. The murder is documented in this article from the October 21, 1879, Joliet Signal:

“One of the saddest cases of homicide that has been chronicled in that sometime turbulent city of Braidwood, occurred last Saturday evening, resulted in the death of Cornelius O’Donnell, or as he was well known both at home and in almost every part of the county, ‘Con’ O’Donnell.

“Saturday morning, John B. Feeley, an old resident of the section adjacent to Wilmington and Braidwood, had a difficulty with Chas. O’Connell, a livery stable keeper of the latter named city.

“Some twenty-seven head of cattle belonging to Feeley had been taken up by a neighbor named Morgan, and afterwards secured in O’Connell’s yard. Upon demanding their release, some hard words passed between the owner of the cattle and O’Connell and a bed feeling existed between the two men, which finally broke out in a personal encounter in the store and saloon of O’Donnell about 8:30 the same evening.

“After a war of words O’Connell struck Feeley a severe blow and an exciting time all around was the natural result, Feeley flourished a revolver when unfortunately, ‘Con’ O’Donnell stepped in as peacemaker and while endeavoring to secure the shooting iron and prevent a tragedy the pistol was discharged while in Feeley’s hand, the ball entering O’Donnell’s left side, causing death to ensue the next day noon.

“As the fatal shot was fired O’Donnell exclaimed that he was shot and Feeley who had unwittingly been the cause of hurrying him out of the world, at once disclaimed any intention of doing him any bodily harm, the truth of which was readily accepted by all present, but the deed had been committed, and one valuable life had been forfeited. Feeley was placed under arrest and after the death of O’Donnell was brought to this city and placed in the debtor’s cell of the county jail, to await a thorough investigation of the unfortunate affair.

“O’Donnell was a comparatively a young man – about 38 years old, and leaves a wife and five children to morn his untimely decease. For a number of years, he had acted as deputy sheriff under Geo. Arnold, and as constable of his own town he had on many occasions shown his efficiency as an active and faithful officer.

“Enemies he had but few, and it may be truthfully said that all acquaintances were friends. The person committing the homicide was a personal friend of the victim of the unfortunate affair and had borrowed the revolver the same day of O’Donnell. The inquest held over the remains yesterday resulted in a verdict that the deceased came to his death from a pistol in the hands of Feeley, and that said Feeley be held for trial.”

With 5 children and no means of support, Margaret O’Donnell took over her husband’s saloon business. About a year later, another incident made the news. We read in the Wilmington Advocate: “Of course our readers all remember the tragedy in Braidwood on Oct. 20, last year, in which the lamented Cornelius O’Donnell lost his life. The widow of the deceased has ever since looked upon the affair as willful murder, and has been at a loss to know why the case has not been passed upon in court.

“The second act in the bloody drama was enacted on Thursday afternoon last, at about half-past three o’clock. At that hour Mrs. O’Donnell came upon the accused – John R. Feely – in the post-office in Braidwood, and without ceremony drew a revolver and opened fire upon him.

“Mrs. O’Donnell was at once prostrated, and on reaching her home was put under the influence of anesthetics. Feely at once hurriedly repaired to John Walker’s residence, where his wound was examined by Dr. Backus, who opined that the bone was fractured and that a surgical operation was necessary.”

Another version from the Joliet Sun: “Thursday afternoon, John Feeley came to Braidwood with a load of potatoes. Feeley is the man charged with the killing Con. O’Donnell. Mrs. O’Donnell, the wife, was at her place of business in Braidwood, and says that Feeley passed by her place four or five times, each time giving his hat a tip to one side in a kind of defiant air, to Mrs. O’Donnell. About four o’clock she went to her safe and took out her money to deposit it in the bank and she took there from a revolver. She says Feeley watched and followed her. She attended to her business, and was met by Feeley, who, she thought, was going to speak to her, but he passed on.

“She went to the post office. He followed and met her the second time, and, being half crazy with the thought of her dead husband, this man goading her to desperation, she drew her revolver and shot; the ball did not take effect; Feeley made motions as though he was going to draw a revolver, when she pulled the trigger the second time, and this time the ball entered one of his arms, which shattered it terribly, so badly, that it is thought that amputation will be necessary.

“Charlie Munn received word, (The Munns being her attorneys), of the affair and went down to Braidwood at once, and Mrs. O’Donnell was taken before a Justice, and gave bail in the sum of $500 ($17,000) for her appearance at the next term of Court.

“The sympathy was all in the woman’s favor, and there was a strong disposition of the crowd to visit Feeley at his house, but law and order prevailed. Mrs. O’Donnell was perfectly calm and collected, signing the bond without a quiver of the hand.”

One year later Feeley did face charges of murder, but was acquitted. Margaret O’Donnell faced charges of premeditated murder also, but was acquitted citing it was an act of self-defense.
She was acquitted perhaps because in Braidwood at least, that kind of a woman earned not scorn, but respect.

Sandy Vasko serves on the Board of Directors of the Will County Historical Museum & Research Center as Collections & Research Chair.