The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1874-04-24
Athea5 Cost.
Athens, Friday, April "a, 1874.
The "Molllc Maguircs."

band OF outlaws, who hold the citizens
in terror by their frequent and terrible
dcpiedations on person and property
The acts Of these semi-educated yandals
outstrip in many instances, those that
are attributed 10 the border ruifians or
the dcsperadocs OF the Far West. The
cause Of all this terrorism, in what is
generally supposed TO. be civilized
State, is attributed 10 the manner in
which the criminal cases are managed
The legislators who make the laws, and
the lawyers who handle them, are, as a
rule, shysters; and, If n criminal has
money. a job is very easily arranged by
which he is allowed to 20 scot-free.-'
While scoundrcls aud burglars walk the
streets Of the principal cities unmolest-
cd, honest men arc dying in the State
penitcniaries. Unless some radical
change is effected soon, The Common
wealth Of Pennsylvania will have such
II reputation for outlawry that strangers
will avoid it with shudders.
To give the readers Of the Tribune
some idea Of the terrorism which now
exists in the coal regions Of Pcnnsylga-
MIA, your correspondent has written
lhlS letlef from ms CITY.
Scranton is situated at the upper end
of the renowned Wyoming coal region.
Near here, and in the same corporation,
is Hyde Park. place of some 10000
population. This Place has, Of recent
Years, been the scene Of many outragcs
perpetraicd by the "Molie Maguires,"
u horde of desperadoes who inrest the
coal country. Its said the "Molles"
originated from secret organization
which existed for many years in Ireland.
The band, which is between 1900 and
1000 strong, is led by Tim O'DonclIy,
whose headquarters are in lonesome,
nnr0maptic spot on keyscr's Mountain.
In Hyde Park and this city, no less than
twelve persons have disappeared mys.
teriously, and are said to have been,
put away" by the "Molics," this year.
IL is said that they control the admins
tration Of Scranton; and it is II matter
Of common belief that two of the lead
ing city officials arc members of the
band.
Their plan Of operations is said to be
as follows: When the Mobiles have
determined upon the death Of any one
who has incurred their vengeance, cuts
are drawn and the one to whose lot it
falls to dispatch the victim docs his
bloody WORK silently but surely. A
man named Jones' u "Mollc," warned a
friend about week since, that he was
marked man." A few days alterward,
Jones himself was found dead upon the
highway. Upon examination IL was
found that he had been stabbed to the
heart. Near where he laid was the EN-
blcm Of the "Molles," coffin, skull
and cross-boncs, to which was attached
on a card the words: 80 dies trail
tor" When the band wishes any one to
leave the neighborhood, a notice bear
ing some horrible symbol Of death is
placed on the door Of his residence,
with the written inj junction that he
must leave in tweEty-rour hours. 1t is
needless 10 state that the warning is
generally needed. The "Mollie Ma
guires" have their way in everything !;
and those that incur their 2ispleasure,
in any part of the coal region, are made
to quit the country or forfeit ;heir lives.
In he Schuylkil region, especially
about Mahoney City, Girardville, Lo.
Gust Gap, Ccntralia, Mt. Carmel and
Shamokin, tho "Mollics" pursue their
depredations without any check-the
people living in constant fear Of their
lives. Hardly n day passes but that a
my StrtIuuv Io~,hr ooau"s fow lavs
since, n miner, Michae! Doughertv, was
passing along the main street of Cen
tralia, when, all at once, he was seen to
tottcr and fall. Persons ran to him. aud,
upon reaching the spot, found he had
been shot. AS no shot was heard at tho
slime Of the occurrence, tho matter was,
of course, regarded as very mysterious.
The man was carried to his home, and
on the door Of his house was found the
inscription, ale betrayed the band."--
This was followed by skulls, cross.
bones and other hidcous emblems BY
this il was at once known who commit
ted the murder. No attempt is ever
made by the authorities to unravcl these
crimes, as everybody fears the ven
geance of the terrible organization. II
is generally conceded that there is no
law IN Schuylkill county.
The "Mollics" number about 1000 in
the Schuylkill region. The leaders are
many, but the mCst prominent one is
said to be man by The name Of Barney
Dolan, who lives near Locust GAP
Citizens, business men, coal operators
and miners, have either been driven
from !hc regions or brutally assassinat-
cd Oh the highways.
These brigands are bound by the most
terrible oath; and, II ono is selected to
commit murder and then fails he is
compelled to die by his own hand, in
presence of the entire organization.
Pat Hester who is now in the East.
ern pcnitentiary, is known as the King
Of the Molio Maguircs." During the
memorable "long strike" OF lS70-7l, he
tried TO force Father Kochc, of Shame.
kin, to allow the burial OF one OF the
band In consecratcd ground. Upon be-
ing refused, he raised riot. The State
troops were called out, and he, together
with several Others, were arrested and
imprisoned.
1t is during miners strike that the
"Mollies" raise the mischief generally.
Your correspondent has been tho wit
moss OF some terrible scenes Mt such
times. nj uruprs are DcrDplratc1 "miuc.