The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-07-13
by Allen Pinkerton.
ILLUSTRATED.

serves no notice but Importance is given to
1t by the assertion in the Preface that ''The
governing idea in the mind Of the author,
while preparing this volume for the press,
has been to give details connected with the
MoILIE MAGuIREs, and follow strictly the
truth concerning the adventures of the de-
tectives during three years passed in their
midst"
The author of the book in question pro-
poses, therefore, to abandon the fctiOaai
part of work, and enter upon the domain Of
facts
There we must tread cautiously. 1t is not
| a question as to the guilt or innocence of
the parties convicted. Courts and Juries
have passed upon lhat. But, if Pinkerton
and his detectives have secured convictions
upon evidence no more reliable than that
before Unsupported as 'oflicial," it is our
| duty as journalists to see whether Pinkerton
and his men have TotD THE TRUTH
Does Pinkerton, in this book relate re.
ported facts? If he does not, did McPar.
| Ian, alias McKenna, tell the truth? IF the
| first did not state what is true, it follows
that his book is untrue and if McParlan
stated to his chief undeniablc uutruths,
then he is unworthy of credence
Pinkerton attempts to palm off his book
upon the public as a correct statement OF
facts. But if the chief is mistaken, can the
subordinate whom he selected and upon
whom he relies as authority be believed, if
clearly wrong in important particulars?
The first noticeable feature of the work is
the illustrations. They are as false in repre-.
sentation as the text, as any person familiar
with the coal regions can testify. In max.
ing them the artist has drawn wholly upon
his Imagination. Three instances will suf-
flee. Opposite page 6S, the plate represents
| Hester as having shot Rea, and nine persons
witnessing the operation from behind tree.
Now, as matter of fact, no tree stood at
the watering trough, and, under all the evil
dence even that of the Commonwealth,
nine persons were not present. nor did Hes
ter participate in the homicide. Again, OPP
poste page SAG, there is representation of
cOurt-scene in the trial of Hester, Tully
and Mcllugh for the murder of A. w, Rea.
The portraits OF the principal characters are
so incorrect ~ TO be unrecognzable. Judge
Elwell may, perhaps be identified by his To-
cation, but the associate on his right bears
a closer resemblance to Marshal MacMahon
than to Judge Krickbaum, and the picture
on the left represents any body rather than
Judge Shuman. The three reporters sitting
in front are not only myths but are repre-
sented as left handed men. The artist may
have got the idea from the fact that Pro-
thonotary Zarr is left handed-baving LOST
his right arm. The double breasted anG
starry policemen shown in the picture are
also fictitious. The gallant looking tipstave
is only poor picture of Capt Linden with
pole in his hand. The Jury are supposed
not to be present.
Again, the barbarous scene represented
opposite page 23S and described in the text
as an attempt by Kelly to roast an old wo-
man named Downey ION a red.hot cook
stove" during spree, is utterly untrue.
Even if true, McParlan, if such bruser as
he represents himself to be, could have res
cued her But Kelly 'the Bum" declares
that the story is made out of the whole
cloth and if his evidence is sufficient to
convict three men of murder, it should be
sufficient to impeach the yeracity of Nc
Parlan or Pinkerton. Kelly declares that
that 'he never belonged to McKenna's Di-
vision" and that no woman named Downey
ever keut shebeeR at Fowler's Patch, anC
for confederation refers to DR.. Hutton, anc
Elijah Gregory, mining boss.
Having mentioned Kelly,it may be prore
to add that he pronounces the book "a lie
from beginning to end" that he never me-
McParlan in Carroll's saloon as described
on page 403, and that he never was convict
ed for biting off mans ear in Luzernt
county. Frequent mention having beer
made of McParlan's physical prowess, kell.
says the instances given are utterly untrue
and exist only in the detectives imagina
tion that McParlan "never licked chick
en-" In fact his physical appearance woult
not indicate that he is a formidable man. Ere
quantity of bad liquor drank by the detec
tive and it is admitted that he was frequent
ly drunk. Kelly says he was scarcely eve
sober. If so, how could he remember an'
J report after the lapse of days all the minu
tise of conversation, including questions an
answers, not taken down at the time
Another feature of the book is the egotisr
of its alleged author. In every situation
even at the expense of truth, Pinkerto
makes himself the central figure, and speak
, constantly of "my agent" my detective,
4 "my representative" &c. Some little cred
t is given Mr.. Gowen, and less to the Go!
: and Iron Police, who actually did the wor
' for which Pinkerton claims credit. The a
: rests were made by them, and Boyle, Meg
= han, Roarity, Carroll, Duffy and Campbe
were seized the same day.
- 1t would add too much length to this n,
It tice to give in detail the many inaccuraci
z and untruths in this volume which we ha'
s marked, but one additional fact should
referred to. The visit of McParlan to He
% ters, described on page 300, and the scel
e pictured opposite, is pure fiction. McPa
Is Ian did not court Miss Hester, nor did He
a a ter "pay cards with his Oldest son, becau
,- he had no son.
le We are forced to the conclusion that Il
g. whole work is sensational-made to sell
!, and that Pinkerton's Agency, which "ney
sleeps is humbug if the book in questi
is u test.