Dennis Delany: Life on the edge

 Dennis Delany came from an Irish working class family. His father was a shoemaker, his mother a housekeeper. Two sisters worked in the cotton mills and a brother who was a machinist.  Dennis worked a variety of jobs including as a laborer, restaurant worker and baker. When he wasn't working his jobs he was making a name for himself as a boxer and became a state lightweight champion. He also smuggled liquor. He was in violation of the Maine Law which had gone into effect on June 2, 1851. It was unpopular among the working-class and immigrants. The Irish viewed it as a racist attack on their culture. A riot in Portland contributed to a repeal but it was finally written into the state constitution in 1885. 

Local newspapers seem to make it their business to report frequently on Delany. The Union and Journal reported on December 16, 1881 (4 years before the Maine Law became law) that "Dennis Delany and Charles Hurd "were before the court upon search and seizure of intoxicating liquors found guilty and fined (illegible but could be $100). Appealed." The newspaper also reported "State vrs. Dennis Delany: three indictments: first for maintaining a nuisance, second as keeper of a drinking house and third as keeper of a tippling shop. 

On June 11, 1888 Dennis Delany and James Travers were in Saco trying to hire a cart or wagon to transport beer. They were spotted by a Constable Small and pursued them to the Scarborough line and captured the two smugglers and the wagon that contained two half barrels of beer. 

On September 21, 1891 Delany was chased by a deputy into the Marble Block building on Main Street and cornered him, handcuffed him and taken to Saco jail and later to Alfred. 

                    The Marble Building on Main Street ca. 1890. The third floor was a Masonic Hall.

Delany's activities went beyond smuggling. He organized boxing matches and participated in a few as reported by the Biddeford Daily Journal: "Dennis Delany of this city and Dennie Cannon of Dover, N.H. fought with hard gloves for $150." It took 47 rounds with Delany finally knocking Cannon out. 

Boxing was popular with young Irish immigrants like Dennis but it remained limited to the working class. New Irish immigrants like Delany found it easier to make money than hard labor. 

Delany also bred dogs for fights. On February 9, 1883 a dog fighting case came before the municipal court with 15 defendants including Delany and his brother John. Dennis was only fined $10 along with two other defendants. It seems Dennis was able to get away with some of his misdemeanors.