, 1874-04-11
THE "lIOLLIE nIAGUIfES.'
Terrorism in tho Conl-Regions OF
pennsyIvnnia--xVh olcs11e Asssaaxin-
alton by q lkcgu1nrlV-Organix
Baud Of Outlaws.

RAHd OF GntllyTAs
Correspondence Of Tile Chicago Tribune.
SCRANTON, Pa, April :, 1874.
probab; no State III the country is SO overrun
with robbers and desporadocs Is Pennsylvania.
Almost every largcly-populated city or to wn has
within its precincts regularly organized
1ASD OF OUTLAWS,
who hold the citizens in terror By their frequent
aud terrible depredations on person and property.
Tho acts Of these semi-educated sandals outstrp.
in many instances. those that are attributed to
the border-ruffiaus or the desperadoes OF the
Far West. Tie cause Of all this terrorism, in
what s generally supposed to be acivilized State,
is attributed to the manner in which the criminal
cascs are managed. The Legislators who make
the laws, and the lawyers who handle them, arc,
as rule, shysters; and, II criminal Inns money,
4 job is very easily arranged by which he is al
lowed to 20 Bcct-frce. While Bcoundre1B and
burglars walk the streets of tho principal cities
unmolested, honest men are dying IN the State
Peniteutiaries. Unless soma radical change is
effected soon, the Commonwealth OF Penusylya~
nia will hxve soon such reputation for out
lawry that strangers will aEoid it With Bhudders.
To give the readers OF The TRIBUNE some
idea of the terrorism which now exists in tho
coal-regions Of Pennsylvania, your CORES pond
ent mas written this letter from this city.
Scranton is situated at the upper end Of tho
renowned Wyoming coa1-region. Near here, and
in the came corporation, is Hyde Park, place
Of 10 me 10000 population. This place has, Of
recent yesrE, been the scona Of many outrages
perpetrated by
THE "MoLL1E MAaUInES,"
horde of desperadoes who lnfcst the COAL
country. It is said the ''Molcs" originated
from secret organization which existed for
many years in Ireland. The band, which is be-
tween 1900 md 1000 strong. il led by Tim
O'Donelly, whose headquarters are in lonesome,
unromantic spot on kcysor's Mountain. In Hyde
Park and this city, no less than twelve persons
have disappeared mysteriously, md arc said to
have been ''put away" by the "Aollies," this
year. It il said that they control the adminis-
mon belief that two OF the leading city officials
are members of the band
THE1n rIAS OF OPERATIONS
is said to be as follows When the II Molies 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 tho VIC
tim does his bloody work silently, but surely. 4
man named Jones, a Molie,' warned q friend
about d week since, that he wasa :'markcd
man." a few days afterwards, Jones himself
WAS found dead upon the highway. Upon OK
animation, it was found that he had beon stab
bod to the heart. Near where he laid was the
emblem OF tho 81 Moles, "-s coffin, skull, aud
bones, TO which WAS attached. on card,
the words $50 dies traitor" When the band
wishes any one to leave tho neighborhood,
notice bearing some horrible symbol OF death is
placed On tho door OF his residence, with tho
written injunction that he must loayo in twenty
four hours. It is needless to state that the
warning il generally needed. The 'Molllo Ma
SureB have their way in everything aud those
that incur their displeasure, in my part Of the
coal-resion, are made to quit the country. or
forfeit their lives.
IN THE BCHUYLKrLL REGION.
especially about Mahsnoy City, Girardville, Lo-
Gust Gap, Centraha, Mt. Carmel, and Shamokin,
the Is Moley NJ pursue their depredations with
out any chcck,-the people living in constant
fear Of their lives Hardly day passes but
that 'snlysterious death" occurs. A few days
since, miner, Michael Dougher;y, was passing
along the main street OF Centralia, when, al at
once, he WAS seen to totte1 and fall. Persons
run to him, and. upon reaching the spot, found
he had been ehot. As no shot Tas heard ut tho
time Of the occurrence. the matter was, of
course, regarded ns very mysterious. The man
Was carried to his home, and on the door OF his
house was found the inscription: - BE be-
trayed tho band." This was followed by skulls.
cross-bones, and other hideous emblems. BY
this it WAS ut once known who committed the
murder. No attempt is ever made by the au-
thorties to unravel these crimes, everybody
fears the vengeance Of the terrible organization.
It is generally conceded that there is no low in
6chuylkll County. ..-
The .4Mollies" number about 1000 in the
Schuylkiu region, The leaders are many, but
tho most prominent one is said to be man by
the name OF Barney Dolan, who lives near Lo-
Gust Gap. Citizens, businessmen. coal-ope-
retors and miners, hare either been driven from
the regions or bEutally assassinated on the high
wayg.
THE POPULAR BELIEF.
These brigands are bound by tho most terrible
oath; and, il one is selected to commit murder,
nd }har> fn1la ia tx
hand in presence Of tho entiro organization.
Pat Haster, who is now in the Eastern Peni-
tentiary, is known as the liking Of the Molle
1fasuirce." During the memorable '8long
Koche, Of Shan1olan, to allow tho burial Of one
Of the band in conBecrated ground. Upon being
refused, he raised riot; The State troops were
called out, and be, together with several others,
was arrested and imprisoned
It il dnring
MINERS STRIKE
that the ''Mollies" raao the mischief generally.
Your correspondent has been the Witness OF
son.e terrible scenes at such times. Murders are
pcrpe:rated; ''mine-breakers and other prop
erry burned During the ''long strike,' no less
than 100 persons fell victims to the riots and
disorder. while, at tie time Of tue t'stand-out."
last winter, ut least twenty-five atrooious mur-
ders were perpctrcted.
"AlolIi. Magui1ien' il increasing in all the
coal-distrcts; and eventually nothing can be
done by the citizens, unless sanctioned by the
organization. Such etate Of affairs would seem
almost impossible in the State Of Penueylrauia:
but matters are at present even Worra than las
been depicted here. In come OF tho obscure
Mining towns, the people are even NOW hfraid to
venture upon the streets It night, for fear ct at
tack; while, in the cities, al the males. and many
OF tho females. GO to their places Of business
armed. Every town in the coA-regions h.s
branch Of the ''Mollie Aagulre" organization,
which is controlled By the leaders in the St:ran-
ton, Wyoming. and schuylkill regions. VIXEN