The New York herald., 1877-02-06
TIE SHADOW Or DEATH.
Trial of Molly Maguires for a
Murder Nine Years Ago.
KILLED IN COLD BLOOD.
Deaf to Cries for 'Neny" and appeals for Leave
10 Bid Wife and Babes Gsody.
THE PRISONERS IN JAIL.
KILLED IN COLD BLOOD
THE PRISONERS IN JAIL.

This Will be an exciting week ~ boomsourg, owing
10 the trial here Of four Molly haeures tor the murder
OF Alexander Rea mno superintendent, who
brutally beaten 10 doath than years ago,
. lonely road between Certralia and Mount Carmel.
Tho prisoners who accused OF this fearful crime,
and whose trtal begins Wednesday of this week,
Patrick Hester, Michael Graham, Patrick McHugh and
Patrick TuIiy, Who were arrested last November and
committed TO prison the testimony OF the ,nformcr
Kelly tho Bum" who is present In Jail for larceny
and who, condition Of obtaining his PARDON has
turned States cvaence against these alleged mur-
dercra
The prisoners were at Arst lodged In Bloomsbury
prison. but that considered safo they wero
conveyed 70 Schuylkill Jail, where they have been
confined ever since their arrest until Friday last
when tboy wore brought TO Bloomsbury again
for trial. The recent prominence given 70 the discus
sion OF tho Molly Mcguire crimes, together with
tho savage circumstances surrounding the manner
Of Mr. Reas murder, have combined to throw tho
community into fever heat. and tho proceedings In
lhe case will be watched with tho most inter-
est That the perpetrators of this horrible crime
should be permitted to unwhippod Justice for
long years. and become bold In the fancicd security
which the hoish secrecy OF their oath bound organ
cation seomed TO give, circumstances OF themselves
which occasion no small degree Of surprise. Thoy
moved about In tho community though their hands
been haunted by the shadow.of death, whose mute
appeal for revenge has at length met with
a response II Is not desired in the midst of
such an excited state of feeling when the public
pulse throbs feverishly for vengeance, 10 say augh
tnat might prejudice the case OF these miserable
who on trial; yot it will not be out of place to
recall somo of the facts connected with Mr.. Rea's
marder. they have leaked out since the OF
The parties trial. Prior to that timo the circum
stances surrounding his death were enshrouded in
deep. dark mystery. 1t was only known that he had
been brutally killed. but who 1t that inflicted the
cruel blows nobody seemed to know.
Alexander Rea was on the road from Centralia to
Mount Carmel when he attacked. Ho had just
reached lonely point In the lane, partially hidden by
trees, when his horse stopped 70 take drink from
clear, cool spring that bubblod up at the wayslde
Presently band OF desperadoes. who It is thought
led by Hester, one Of the prisoners dashed out
from clump Of trees and dragged him from the buggy
then proceeded TO beat him with ''billes' and
budgeons Mr.. Rea begged repeatedly that his
life might be spared, but to his entrcates not single
answer made, as thoogh his murderers had
steeled their hearts against everything, banished
every feeling from their breasts and surrendered
themselves entirely to the demons who had taken pos
session Of them. Seeing that his appeals for his
bo granted halt an hour to kiss his wife and babes
good by, but It They were deaf to all
appeals made in the name OF God angels. and his
touching cry only seemed to make them the fur-
GUS They rained their savage blows upon him In
brutal succession until they had beaton him to death,
and then leaving his bleeding body beside the spring
they fed into the woods and disappeared.
THE MURDER.
Il has bcen stated that this murder was nstigaed at
Tho instance OF Patrick Hester for the purpose Of
plumber us ho expected the superintendent had
appointed. Mr.. Rea had mono on his person at tho
time. Ono of Hester's primo objects in connection
serve his purpose OF becoming rich by aiding him
deeds of pillago and plunder. Next to Jack kehoe,
Hester OF Locust Cap has been regarded as tho most
Is said that he was even more unscrupulous than ke-
hoe and that he never hesitated at the shedding OF
human blood whenever life stood between him and
whatever ho desired II looks as If Alexander Rca
was about to be avenged at last and his assassns
EXCITEMENT AT BIOoMsBuRG.
The general impression that the Molly Maguro trials
would begin this morning has attracted hundreds to
this usually quiet country town, and the streets of
Bloomsbury present bustling appearance The hotels
are ded and all day the square In front OF the
discussing the forthcoming trial. and all eyes are
turned toward the rickety prison on the hillside in
which lester, Graham, Tully and McHugn arc impris-
oncd, awaiting the struggle Tor life or death
THE ARRAY OF COUNSEL.
Able counsel has been engaged on Doth sides, ana
the trai promises TO be one OF tho most closely con-
held In the Courts OF columbia county For
the prosecution the services OF District Attorney John
NJ. Clark Hon. q. X. Buckalew, warren J. Buckaew,
Frank w. Hughes and Lon Bartholomew have
been retained, whilo the defence has secured the
services Hon. q. b. Brockway, John W. Ryan, John
&. Freeze, o. Y. Becktel and p. A. Nahou. These
include OF the most powerful legal talent
IN the interior OF Pennsylvania and since tho prosecu-
has determined to spare no pains In pushing tho
matter to the most extreme legal consequences the
trends OF the accused will make strong fight cspec
tol.o F.f htola thnr uOku
oil the Ancient Order Of Hbernlans, for which he
county delegate Of Northumberland county IN tho
pamy days Of his influence, which was undoubtedly
grcaI
Tho HERALD representative succeeded in obtaining
an interview with tho prisoners this evening.
They closely watched by body Of
men under command OF Captain Anderson, and
double precaution rs used owing to the IN
tense excitement. as we'll as to the fraIl character
OF the jaL The main entrance Is secured by heavy
iron grating that swings open with the dismal clank
which romance writer's delight in giving their prison
gates This opens into hallway low rooicd and dark
on either side Of which are heavy IRON doors leading
by the jaor, and the reporter was ushered into the
presence OF the men, who accused OF Inauguratng
reign OF in the coal regions and at whose hands
h is said Alexander Rae met his fearful end.
PATRICK HESTER, COUNTY DELEGATE ov FoRrHuhBEH-
The eve wanders at once from all tho other inmates
and rosts on the commanding figure OF Patrick Hester
the county delegate OF Northumocrland He Is man
Of poweru build about icet high, broad shouldcred
muscular, Inclined to adipose and weighing ut least
p50 pounds. lie seems to bo for,y-hve years
Of age but Is Older. His hair Is black straight
md long, and no is slightly bald His features
c fat incining TO the Ethiopian type; the bridge OF
bis nose Is sunken his eyebrows arc large and shaggy
bis eye IS cold jaws ncavy ms mouth large and the
general contour is cruel and rcpclling HIS is lace
and figure TO command from sheer strength, and one
san easily imagine what influence such giant could
WELD, backed by society whose sway was ute
Hts voice Is pleasant his conversation measured as II
10 used TO precauton, and his entire demeanor
hat Of great authority. lie seems In tho best
Spirits and said that bo felt better physically, but
he could not rest much.
HEsrERs COMPANIONS.
His companions arc mon oil au inferior typo. Gra-
ham Ii a pleasant featured man, with IRON gray hair
and goatec, and cast Of councDancc quite social and
not at oil unlike that of Charles Matthews, thc actor
He Is accused oil being accessory alter the ac ana
certainly does not look at oil like the popular conccp
lion OF murderer He cbatted pleasantly and sad he
thought he getting thin since he was removed
from Schuylklll 20 Bloomsbury. TuIlcy young
In the prime OF life apparently about ynvc years
old Lie In tall muacular and mOrOso. and during our