The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-06
THE MOLLY MiGUIRE TRIAL.
Five Men Accused Of the Murder OF n Police
MANA Vigilance society.

PoTTsvILLE, Pa, Mpy 4.-This afternoon
the trial OF the prisoners Mcclellan, Duffy,
Roarty, Carroll, and Boyle, was taken up In the
Criminal Court, President Judge Pershina aud
Justices Walker and Green. All precautions
against violence had been taken, and q strong
force Of the local and Iron Police was In attend
ance. The prisoners are accused OF the murder
Of policeman II. u. Yost Of Tamaqua. On
July 8, 1875, while that unfortunate officer was
extingushing the street lamps on his post he
was shot In the abdomen without word or
warning by party Of men, who then ned, ,vainly
pursued by another policeman. This trial Is ex-
pected to prove OF great importance In the ex-
posure OF the Molly Maguires. James kerrigaD,
who Is implicated In the murder OF Jones at
Lansford, is expected TO tell all he knows OF the
deeds conoocted by this society Of cutthroats.
The array OF counsel Is unusually large, Dis
trict Attorney Kaercher being assisted In the
prosecution by the Hon. +. II. Hughes and Mr.
Farquhar of Pottsyllle, aud Gen Charles AL
Albright contributed largely to secure the con.
yicton of Doyle aud Kelly for the murder Of
Jones. The defence ts conducted by the Hon.
Mr.. bartholomew and John W. Ryors Of Potts
vile, and the Hon. Daniel Kalhfus Of Mauch
Chunk, oil OF whom were counsel for Doyle and
Kelly. When the prisoners were brought Into
the court room they appeared thoroughly uncon-
cerned, and oonvcrsed freely with counsel
Up to the hour Of adJo1rnment this afternoon
only one Juror had been procured. such is the
state Of public opinion mere that few persons
are prepared to pronounce themselves sufficient
ly unbiased to sit In the jury box. On the ex-
animation OF the jurymen the existence Of a
vigilance committee IN this county was dscoy-
cred. The counsel for the defence contended
that this society WAS formed for the special pur-
pose OF securing the conviction OF the prisoners
at the bar by any means, lawful or unlawful.
The prosecution admitted the existence OF the
society, but IN aintained that Its purpose was
simply to ferret out all criminals equally, and To
procure conviction only by lawful means. one
juryman admitted that he belonged to such a
society, but beyond avefring that its purposes
were lawful, he declined to say anything about
| Its character or atm. The counsel for the de-
fence requested the Court to compel AN answer
to Its questions on this point. After a long ar
gument the Court reserved its decision until to-
morrow morning. the counsel for the defence
declared their abiltytD provo that the vigilance
| society was an organized conspiracy against the
| prisoners at the bar, and that members Of the
| society had visited witnesses, who were known
| to be subp9naed for the defence, and had been
| endeayorng to iutiuldate them.
No case IN the history OF Pennsvvanla IA re-
| collected In which i've men have been tried to-
gether. as IN this case. on a charge OF murder
| II was evident to-day that the prisoners mad d
| I.rge number Of friends In Attendance. Nearly
all the prisoners thus far arrested for these ~ ur-
| ders have sported the badge OF the Ancient Or
| der OF lliocrnians. The impenneling of the
| jury is likely to occupy TWO days more.