The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-06-21

| l,
he could get no Information from Mr.. Elwell
until the publication of the confession in the
COLUMBIAN the reporter purposely sought to
cast doubt over the genuineness Of the docu-
ment. In answer 70 the question, who wrote
confession We say it was written by counsel, in
Tully's cell, at his dictation, on Tuesday, March
18th, 1878, at nine o'clock at night, after the
balance Of the article is so absurd as to need no
comments. Here it is in full.
CONTINUED ATROCITIES IN PENN
SYLVANIA.
"with not friend to animate and toll
To others ears that death became him well
Around him foes TO forge the ready lie,
And blot lfe's latest scene with calumny."
did not dwell upon the most foul judicial
murder committed upon Hester, McHugh and
Tully, because it was simply a repetition of the
crime committed on the ten victims in last sum
mer, substituting for the murderer Kennedy,
az perjured witness, that other murderer ''Kelly
the bum.''
But when l saw confession imputed to Tul
ly, remembered the above lines, and deter
mined to make sharp inquiry in relation to this
paraded confession"
The night before the execution the Herald re-
porter lets in this light MIR. Elwel has been
trying 10 get Tully to confess, but so far has
failed" Next day, and after the execution, the
same reporter says Tully did put confession
in Mr.. Elwell's hands, and "there is no reason
able doubt but it is genuine This remark raises
in my mind most reasonable doubt. So l wrote
to Mr.. Elwell who promptly and politely thus
replied -
Patrick Tully did place in my hands a con-
fession for publication after his death. The
New York Herald contains a correct copy. The
| statement was read to Father Koch, of Shamo-
kin, in Tully's presence, about an hour before
the execution, 80 the priest can affirm its gen.
uineness. Hester and McHugh both admitted
their guilt he night before the execution, after
being informed that Tully had confessed.
GEO. +. ELWELL.
Now as the Herald reporter had sent on the
intelligence the night before that Mr.. Elwell had
not succeeded in getting confession, it mar
rows very closely the question of veracity be-
tween themI
Besides, this phrase ''did place in my hands"
would Be the better Of q little explanation Did
Tully write it, and have it ready to "place' in
Mr.. Elwslps hands2 Or did counsel himself
write II, When was the writing done? By
whom Who was present at this writing Per.
hsps those things might admit Of explanation,
and perhsp. they might not At any rate, when
Mr.. Elwell proceeds to state, vaguely enough,
that "Hester and McHugh both admitted their
auilt," and re cred me to Father Koch, | de-
termined to refer rather 10 Fathers McGovern
and schtutzer for such information they
might be warranted in affording. l wrote, al
So to Mr.. Elwell, informing him that l had
done so, and suggesting that he might hole
conference with those gentlemen, and among
them throw whatever additional light on th
subject. To those last appeals l received NJ
answer.
Anxious TO find out the truth, if possible,
wrote to Mr.. Wolverton (of the victims coun
sel), who politely responded thus:-
The only confession that / know of to be
confession of Tully, that know to be genuine
is the one made 10 George E. Elwell, Esq. on
of his counsel. 4 copy Of which enclose. Ther
appears by the papers to have been. anothe
statement slgned by him, purporting to be mad
10 Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Alderson
copy OF which I enclose. The first was pull
lished in the paper printed by George +. FL
we'll, who was one Of the counsel for Hester
and have no doubt that it is correct. Wher
, there is stars it omits the names Of parties med
toned in the original.
This answer has been delayed because {
your letter having been directed to Bloom.
r burg instead of Sunbury, Pennsy ylvania.
r Very respectfully,
, S. P. WOLVERTON.
Z The above, it will be perceived, is a yer
loose way of dealing with ''facts" that al
doubted. 'That know to be genuine" say
Mr.. Wolverton. But he does not tell us no
s he knows it to be genuine.
: In short, Mr. Welverton adds nothing to o,
knowledge, save the fact that there was anoth,
I. &c. called confession Of Tully, made to
r couple of Iron policemen. In it find the fo
e lowing -
n Question Did Kelly tell the truth about Il
i circumstances of the Res murder?
u Anstper. He swore to some lies, but most
said was true. Neither Hester nor McHre
" told me to do the deed. What l done was
!. my own accord. But Hester was Bodymaste
y y and McHugh was County Delegate, ..and if th
had said the thing shouldn't be done th
could have stopped It, 1t wasn't so much Ii
n Order referring to the Ancient Order of H
= bernians) as it was whisky that led me into
!! II had followed my early teachings / nev
would have got into this trouble
(The above was contained in the confess
given TO Elwell and not in that given to Cal
Anderson as stated by the writer) ED.
Here are two facts worthy of especial no
One that Hester and McHugh were men
=, note and influence, "Bodymsster" and "Coun
:. Delegate" If sacrifice must be made to t
"a Moloch Of the coal mine this was just the XII
:, OF men 10 sacrifice
The other fact goes strongly to prove wha
-. never doubted, namely That there never "
" Molly Mcguire organisation in Pennsylvar
" 1t was on tho "ARcient Order Of Hiberniar
that the nickname WAS fixed. Little did I
VI agrarian regulators Of the county Cavan KIN
IT, the murders that would be committed unc
the name they assumed. The purpose Of Il
!" organisation WAS N ade no secret published
all the newspapers Of the day (lS43). l hs
~ the original mislaid among my papers,
:. have Its substance preserved in my memo
w. 1t runs thus -
ed The cruslties Of landlords have called you
h, Kether to provide for the common defence.
I'd. Ejectmena must be resisted and punished
'or two years rent 10 dus.
Ter Coed landlords must be assisted to get tn
rents, and treated with kindness.
to Bad landlords and agents must be sever
ca dealt with for their crimes-punished-a
ers sd but in no case must fatal violence be rest
ers cd to. 1t would be cruel, and it would ro
public feeling sgainst US. Signed.
MOLLIE MAGUIRE
now turn the whole confessions ovel
the consideration Of those who believe in tn,
frankly admitting that cannot believe cit
- in Tullys imputed Confession" or the OF