End of an Eventful Life

An eventful life came to a close on Sunday night with the death at the City Alms House of Thomas O'Donnell. The deceased had no relatives in Oswego and as nearly as could be learned he was about seventy years of age. His birthplace could not be ascertained, but he was probably born in Oswego.

Upon reaching manhood, he adopted the life of a sailor and was considered one of the most competent men sailing on the lakes. On the first day of July, 1850, he was appointed Captain of the Hon. A.C. Mattoon's tug O.S. Howard, the first tug built west of the Hudson River. He remained in command of the Howard until her said sale and transfer to the St. Lawrence River in 1851.

He then went to Australia and there amassed considerable property. After ten years spent partly in Australia and partly in California he returned to Oswego. Here, he frittered away his property and for a number of years made a precarious living until about a year ago, when his health gave way.

On the 1st of January 1892 he was taken to the City Hospital, and after a stay there of thirteen weeks, was transferred to the alms-ouse, where he died. The deceased was a member of the Old Volunteer Fire Department.