USA > Pennsylvania > Schuylkill County > History of Schuylkill County, Pa. with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 23
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100
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
stopped. He then telegraphed for assistance and 200 troops were sent from Philadelphia, and order for the time was restored.
In October some riotous demonstrations took place in Cass township. These were then believed to be insti- gated by rebel sympathizers who adroitly influenced those who feared the enrollment and the draft.
A riot occurred at the Phoenix colliery on the 13th of December, 1862, in which several men were severely beaten and some shots fired, without fatally injuring any one. This and the riots in Cass township were among the first open demonstrations of the Mollies. Outrages continued in the township of Cass, and in February, 1863, a mob there attempted to dictate concerning the sale of a colliery. They resorted to violence, but the sight of a pistol in the hands of a determined man induced them to desist. Through the years 1863-65 outrages and mur- ders continued and increased in frequency. In August, 1865, a mine superintendent in Foster township was murdered as he was going toward his colliery after break- fast. His assassins, three in number, walked away and no trace of them was ever obtained. In April, 1866, an attempt to murder in open day was made in Mahanoy township. The would-be murderer was shot and his confederate arrested; and though both were strangers bail was at once furnished. A few days afterward five armed men appeared, exhumed the body of the assassin and took it away. On the roth of January, 1866, an atrocious murder was committed within two miles of Pottsville, on a much traveled highway leading to Miners- ville, about 7 in the evening.
The money and other valuables on the person of the murdered man-Mr. Dunne, a mine superintendent- were untouched, and revenge was supposed to be the motive for the act. The assassins, five in number, walked away and were not apprehended.
At first revenge appeared to be the principal motive which prompted the outrages that were committed, but after a time robberies came to be frequent. Doubtless some of these were committed by those who had no con- nection with the Mollie Maguires; but it was known that many of the robbers were shielded and protected by the order. In February, 1867, the office of the Boston Run colliery was entered in open day by four men and $4,500 taken, with which the robbers made off.
According to the Miners' Journal of March 30th, 1867, fourteen murders were committed in Schuylkill county in 1863, fourteen in 1864, twelve in 1865, five in 1866, and five up to March 30th, 1867.
From this time till the close of the year 1867 occasional outrages and several murders were com- mitted; but during the years 1868-'71 there was no murder that attracted attention to the Mollie Maguires. A sense of greater security began to be felt, and the recollection of past horrors became in a measure faint. It is believed by some that this tempo- rary suspension of crime was caused by the narrow es- cape of some of their members from conviction in a neighboring county. This feeling of security was inter- | the morning, that it may be their last farewell on earth
rupted in December, 1871, by a bold and atrocious mur- der in Carbon county, and the fiendish spirit which had slumbered for a time awoke. The number of murders committed in this county from that time till the power of the Mollies was broken cannot now be easily ascer- tained, nor can the cases of riot, arson and deadly as- sault.
CONDITION OF THE MINING REGION.
It will be remembered that during many years a grad- ual concentration of capital had been going on, that in- dividual interests had become merged in those of large companies, and that transportation lines throughout the anthracite coal region had made successful efforts to ac- quire control of the mining interest and the coal trade. In Schuylkill county this trade came to be controlled by the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, of which Franklin B. Gowen was president. Under the title of the Philadelphia and Reading Coal and Iron Company it came to own very large tracts of the choicest mineral lands in the county, and, by the absorption of the Schuylkill navigation and most of the railroad lines in the county, to control the transportation of all freight as well as the production of coal. It was therefore a matter of vital importance to this company to check the growth and break the power of an organization that jeopardized the interests of a region that was thus con- trolled by it. Mr. Gowen saw this, and sought by every means in his power the accomplishment of this object. The law was powerless for the punishment or prevention of crime that was committed in open day; for the crim- inals were protected by an organization of which nothing beyond the name could be learned. Thus far detectives had failed to obtain any clue to the secret workings of this order, and its members openly boasted of their ability to control, in defiance of the law, the interests of the region by the terror they inspired and their political influence. Under these circumstances Mr. Gowen ap- plied to a detective bureau called, from its founder and conductor, the Pinkerton agency. To the conductor he said:
"What we want, and what everybody wants, is to get within this apparently impenetrable ring; turn to the light the hidden side of this dark and cruel body; to probe to its core this festering sore upon the body politic, which is rapidly gnawing into the vitals and sapping the life of the community. Crime must be punished in the mountains of Pennsylvania as it is in the agricultural coun- ties and in all well regulated countries. We want to work our mines in peace, to run our passenger and freight trains without fear of the sudden loss of life and prop- erty through the malicious acts of the Mollie Maguires; we want people to sleep unthreatened, unmolested in their beds, undisturbed by horrid dreams of midnight prowlers and cowardly assassins. We want the laboring men, of whatever creeds or nationalities, protected in their right to work to secure sustenance for their wives and little ones unawed by outside influence. We want the miner to go forth cheerfully to the slope or the shaft, for labor in the breast or in the gangway, wherever it may seem to him for the best, void of the fear in his heart, when he parts from his wife at the cottage gate in
DETECTIVE McPARLAN.
and by evening his bullet-riddled corpse may be taken back to his home, the only evidence that he has encoun- tered the murderer-the agent of those who would com- pel him to refuse all employment unless the regulations of the order were complied with. The state cannot at- tain these things; she has repeatedly tried, and tried in vain. You can do it. I have seen you tested on other occasions and in other matters, and know your ability to conduct the business. We are willing to supply every- thing in our power to make your task a success."
McPARLAN THE DETECTIVE.
Mr. Pinkerton undertook the work on condition that there should be no confidants beyond himself, his agent in Philadelphia and the detective ; and that all required support should be rendered the detective. Mr. Pinker- ton selected for the work a man named James McParlan -an Irishman-whom he thus described.
" Of medium height, a slim but wiry figure, well knit together; a clear hazel eye; hair of an auburn color and bordering upon the style denominated as sandy; a fore- head high, full, and well rounded forward ; florid com. plexion, regular features, with beard and moustache a little darker than his hair, there was no mistaking Mc- Parlan's place of nativity, even had not his slight accent betrayed his Celtic origin. He was, in fact, a fine speci- men of the better class of immigrants in this country. He was passably educated, had beheld and brushed against the people of a considerable portion of the new world during the short time he had been in it, and earned a reputation for honesty, a peculiar tact, and shrewdness, skill, and perseverence in performing his numerous and difficult duties, and worked himself into the position of a firm favorite with those of my employes intimately asso- ciated with him."
Mr. McParlan assumed the name of James McKenna and the character of a miner, and entered on his work late in October, 1873. Says Martin:
" He was ordered to enter the haunts of the Mollie Maguires, mingle among them, join their order, become possessed of their secrets, collect evidence which would secure the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators of past murders, and give such warning as would enable the authorities to prevent the commission of new crimes. In short, he was to undermine the foundations of the Mollie Maguire structure so successfully, yet so secretly, that it would be an easy matter for the authorities to break up the order and punish its members guilty of crime."
He first came into the county at Port Clinton; then visited Auburn, Pine Grove, Schuylkill Haven, Tremont, Mahanoy City, New Town, Swatara, Middle Creek, Rausch's Creek, Donaldson, Tower City and other places, making investigations which convinced him that the ex- istence of the order of Mollie Maguires was a reality, and also that "if every member of the Ancient Order of Hi. bernians was not a Mollie Maguire, every Mollie Maguire was a member of the Hibernian order."
After visiting Philadelphia he returned, and for a time made his headquarters at Pottsville, where he became very popular as a good-hearted, roystering, reckless devil. He "literally sung, danced, fought and drunk himself into popularity with the rough men among whom he mingled." He here made the acquaintance of Pat Dormer, a Mollie and one of the county commissioners. I spectively.
He succeeded in passing himself on Dormer as a mem- ber of the order and a fugitive from justice, and was by him introduced and recommended to the body master of the Shenandoah division. He went to Shenandoah in February, 1874, and finding it the stronghold of the Mol- lies he made it his headquarters during his entire career in the coal regions. At first he engaged as a miner, but finding that work interfered with his detective operations he abandoned it, and accounted for his ability to live without by saying that he was a government pensioner and by pretending to some that he was a " shover of the queer," or passer of counterfeit money. He repeated to the body master (Michael or "Muff " Lawlor) the story that he was a fugitive from justice and that he dared not write to his body master at Buffalo for a card, and pro- posed to be initiated again. This was assented to, and the initiation took place April 14th, 1874.
The ceremony of initiation was simple, consisting of an explanation of the principles of the order; in which it may be observed there was nothing objectionable, and an obligation of secrecy, mutual friendship, and obedience to the rules of the order and to superior officers "in everything lawful and not otherwise." This was followed by instruction in the secret work, or " goods," which con- sisted of signs of recognition, toasts for the same purpose, passwords, and night words.
McPARLAN'S CAREER AS A MOLLIE.
McParlan thus became what he had before professed to be, a full fledged Mollie Maguire. He found that there was no such distinct order in America as the Mollie Maguires, but that in the coal regions vicious men had taken possession of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for the accomplishment of their fiendish purposes. This society was chartered by the Legislature, and in its written constitution not only was nothing reprehensible to be found, but, on the contrary, it inculcated pure principles of benevolence and morality. So thoroughly had the Mollies taken possession of it in the coal regions, how- ever, that the avowed objects of it were wholly disre- garded; not even a pretense being made of carrying them out. The following synopsis of the organization appears from the testimony of McParlan in the Mollie trials:
" The society has an existence in Great Britain as well as America, the whole being under the control of what is known as the 'Board of Erin,' selected from members in England, Ireland and Scotland; and from whom, every three months, the signs and passwords are obtained.
" The national officers of the United States, with head- quarters at New York, consist of national delegate, national secretary, national treasurer and president of the board of the city and county of New York. These officers are selected by the state officers.
"The county officers consist of county delegate, county treasurer, and county secretary. These officers are elected at county conventions consisting of officers of the divisions.
"The officers of the several divisions consist of division master or body master, secretary and treasurer. These officers are elected by the members of the divisions re-
102
HISTORY OF SCHUYLKILL COUNTY.
" The requirement for membership is that the appli- cant be an Irishman, or the son of an Irishman, profes- sing the Roman Catholic faith."
It is not believed that the order generally had the bad character which it assumed here; but why the crimes of its members in the coal regions were not promptly re- pudiated elsewhere, and why money was raised for the defense of these criminals by assessments on the divi- sions through the United States, is an unexplained mys- tery. There are some things which tend to fasten sus- picion on the order generally. As Dewees says:
Their "pass words and toasts imply a general habit of drinking, quarreling and suspicious night journeyings. From no quarter does there appear evidence of any acts of benevolence accomplished in pursuance of the avowed object of their organization."
The method of accomplishing the wicked designs of the Mollie Maguires which McParlan found when he in his intercourse with the Mollies his words were little became a member of the order, and which was practiced while he continued among them, cannot be better de- scribed than in the language of Martin:
to defend him. The next step is to find witnesses enough to establish an alibi. Perjury in such a cause being counted a virtue by the Mollies, the witnesses are always forthcoming. Evidence of any kind that is wanted can be promptly furnished by the order."
Space will not permit a detailed account of McParlan's career among the Mollies, or of the crimes committed by them during the time he was among them. The latter constitute one of the blackest pages of criminal history in this country. The former exhibits a remarkable degree of industry, perseverance, and determination on his part, in the midst of surroundings that would appall a man of ordinary courage; and affords a narrative of thrill- ing adventure rivaling in interest the creations of the romancer's fancy. Of the morality of the course which McParlan pursued every one must judge for himself. From the time when he entered on it he acted a lie, and besides lies. If the Jesuitical maxim "the end justifies the means" is ever applicable, it certainly was in his case but possibly those who hold to the immutability of prin- ciple may find much in his career to censure. He as- sumed the character of one of the worst of Mollies, acquired their confidence and was looked on by them as one of their most devoted, reckless and desperate men. He was thus enabled to come into possession of their most profound secrets, and by his daily reports to his superiors he gave such warnings of intended crimes that, in some cases at least, their commission was prevented. What was known as the coal and iron police had been organized, and a trusted member of the Pinkerton agency was made a captain in it, and through him warnings were often given.
" Among the Mollie Maguires there is a thoroughly arranged system for the commission of crimes. A mem- ber having made complaint of certain parties who have offended him, or who are considered dangerous to the order, the matter is referred to the body master or a meeting of the division, or to a meeting of the body masters of all the divisions and other leading men of the order, called by the county delegate. The body master or the meeting decides whether any action shall be taken in the premises, and what shall be the nature of the punishment. In case punishment is decided upon appli- cation is made either to the county delegate or to the body master of another division for men to commit the outrage, the men furnished being always unknown to the victim or victims. A solemn promise is given that the favor will be returned by the division needing THE LONG STRIKE. the service, whenever called upon by the other. The What was known as the "long strike" was inaugurated in December, 1874, and continued till June, 1875, In this contest the influence of the Mollies was potent, and fear of them prevented an earlier return to work. The "labor union," under the direction of which the strike had been commenced and continued, was finally com- pelled to succumb, and its defeat was overwhelming. body master of the division called upon either directly appoints the men or they are selected by lot. A member refusing to obey the orders of his body master on such an occasion is expelled from the order. The men, having been selected, are dispatched to the headquarters of the division needing them, and are placed upon the track of their victims as soon as possible. They are re- quired either to kill or brutally beat the persons pointed During the early part of the strike outrages by the Mollies were comparatively infrequent ; but in February and March, 1875, when the success of the strike began to look doubtful, they became very frequent and des- perate in their character. Finally, when the end of the strike came, and the power of the labor union was com- pletely broken and paralyzed, the Mollies became more desperate and defiant than ever, and their most fearful reign of lawlessness and crime commenced. From that time till the close of the year 1875 the reign of terror in the coal regions was at its height. Outside of the large towns and boroughs the feeling of insecurity was such that many dared not walk abroad after nightfall, and even their houses did not always afford protection ; for sometimes, especially if they were isolated, they were broken into and the object of displeasure ruthlessly beaten or murdered. If a mine boss had discharged a out to them, or to burn certain houses or mining struc- tures. The person committing the crime is in nine cases out of ten a stranger to his victim, and is actuated by no personal ill will to him. He simply obeys the orders of his society, and murders or burns in cold blood and with a deliberation that is appalling. Murder is the. most common form of punishment with the Mollies. 'Dead men tell no tales' is the principle of the order. It is enough for a man to incur the dislike of an influential member of the order to forfeit his life. The murder is generally committed in some lonely place, and with all the aggravated features of assassination. Though the conduct of the murderers is in the highest degree cow- ardly they are regarded as heroes by the Mollies, and large rewards have been paid by the society for the kill- ing of obnoxious individuals. Should a member com- mit a murder or a robbery on his own account the act is endorsed by the society, and its whole influence is used to screen and protect the criminal. When a member is arrested for a crime the others are assessed in a certain sum for the purpose of raising money to employ counsel Mollie, refused him work, or incurred his displeasure in
103
POLITICIANS PROTECTING THE MOLLIE MAGUIRES.
any way, his death might be demanded and strangers brought from a distant division to assassinate him ; and even if he had in his employ some person or persons who were obnoxious to the Mollies a note of warning with sketches of a coffin and revolver would be received by him. The project was even conceived of attacking Mananoy City in force, and shooting down in open day those who were obnoxious to the members of the order. The details which McParlan was able to learn of the plans and execution of several murders during this time exceed in cold bloodedness and atrocity anything of the kind which has been recorded elsewhere in the country.
POLITICAL INFLUENCE OF THE MOLLIE MAGUIRES.
In future time the question will naturally arise, why, with the evidences that there were of the existence of such an organization in their midst, the people did not rally for their own safety; and, if the supremacy of the law could not be asserted, adopt such means as have been successfully resorted to elsewhere for protection against outlaws.
It must be remembered that-in this country the elect- ive franchise has hardly a limit, and experience has shown that partisan politicians will, in their greed for power and patronage, caress and court the favor of any party or organization no matter how reprehensible, if by so doing they can secure the triumph of their party. The Ancient Order of Hibernians, which, as has been seen, was controlled by the bad men known as Mollie Maguires, was sufficiently strong here to hold the bal- ance of power between opposing political parties. Both these parties therefore sought by every means to secure the support of the members of this order; and the result was that Mollie Maguires became the incumbents of township offices in the mining regions, and also of coun- ty offices in some cases. They even boasted of their ability to control in their own interest political parties in the state and nation. During the political canvass in 1876 it came to be known that the Mollie vote had been purchased in this county by the Republican party, and that large sums of money had been paid to the Mollie leaders. Doubtless many supposed this to be an ar- rangement with influential Irishmen by which the Irish vote was to be controlled. In August, 1875, two of the commissioners and an ex-commissioner of Schuylkill county had been convicted of misappropriation of coun- ty funds to their own use, and sentenced to two years' imprisonment. One of these was a Mollie, and the oth - ers were said to favor the order. It was charged, and was afterward testified to by one of the parties to the arrangement, that not only was money furnished, but that it was understood that in case Governor Hartranft was re-elected these men, with another who had been con- victed of a murderous assault, would be pardoned. This was denied with apparent indignation, but he was re- elected and the men were pardoned.
ERECTION OF A CRIMINAL COURT.
In the State of Pennsylvania the judiciary is elective.
As early as 1867 difficulty had been experienced not only in apprehending Mollie Maguire criminals, but of con- victing then even of minor offences after their apprehen- sion. For commenting on the "lax administration of jus- tice " the editor of a prominent journal in the county had been three times arrested for libel. Under these circum- stances it was thought that the administration of justice would be facilitated by the erection of a criminal court district, which should include this county.
In the spring of 1867, in compliance with the earnest appeal of a committee of fifty citizens of this county, who visited Harrisburg for that purpose, the Legislature enacted a law establishing a criminal court in the coun- ties of Dauphin, Lebanon and Schuylkill, and Governor Geary appointed Colonel David B. Green, of Pottsville, judge of this court. A special police law and an act pro- viding for jury commissioners were also enacted. The passage of these laws was violently opposed, and after their passage the presiding judge and some of the county officers sought to impede their execution and ignored the jurisdiction of the criminal court. Certain attorneys, too, seemed desirous of winning an unenviable distinc- tion by their opposition to the law, and the question of its constitutionality was brought before the Supreme Court, where it was fully sustained. At the election in the autumn of 1867 Judge Green was chosen to preside over this court,and, though opposition to it continued to be manifested by the presiding judge and some of the county officials, this opposition grew constantly feebler, till about 1870 or 1871 it had become quite impotent; and from that time to the adoption of the new constitution in 1874 this court exercised exclusive jurisdiction in criminal matters, and the county enjoyed a degree of quiet it had not seen for some years previously.
By the adoption of the new constitution this court was abolished and Judge Green was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.
It is proper to say that those who opposed and sought to obstruct the execution of this law were probably not aware of the formidable character of the organization the political influence of which they thus endeavored to secure. It was a source of regret, however, that political ambition led people to favor influential criminals, and that the condition of things here rendered it necessary to include two other counties in the criminal district in order to secure the election of an impartial judge.
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