The Daily Chronicle, the Liberal newspaper of record, gave extensive coverage to the death of Parnell. In the October 8 edition, page five, an obituary, attributed to O’Connor Power,* described his last days. On Thursday Parnell returned from Ireland. He had caught a severe chill and died in intense pain on the following Tuesday. He had ‘not enjoyed robust health for more than ten years’.
Parnell had a scientific bent and a great interest in metallurgy, geology and astronomy. He had mines and quarries on his land in Avondale, County Wicklow and believed in the importance of developing the mineral resources of Ireland.
Other contributers added personal reminiscences and details
At a recent speaking engagement in Creggs, County Galway, Parnell had a severe pain in his left arm and wore a sling. A smoker and a drinker for many years, he had suffered from chronic dyspepsia and cancer of the stomach. He was prone to ‘extreme nervous depression and melancholy.’ He was a medicine-taker. In the last twelve months he had become ‘perceptibly thinner’.
The Chronicle provided memoirs, sketches and reports from Ireland, Rome, Paris, Berlin and the major cities of North America.
Parnell’s mother held Michael Davitt responsible for his death: ‘It is Davitt and the Irish World‘s persecution …’
‘His political course has been one of slow suicide.’
*See That Irishman, Part Five, Daily Chronicle, p. 179