The New York herald., 1879-07-09
CAREER OF A TRAITOR.

RUMoRED ASSASSINATION OF PEIRCE NAGLE THE
FENIAN INFoRMER-sKxTCH OF HIS CoNNEC-
TIoN WITH THE IRISH REVOLUTIONARY MOVE
MENT AND HIS BETRAYAL OF TT IN 1865.
An Irish newspaper received by the last mails
gives publicity to that Peirce Nage, the in
former whose evidence led to the conviction Of tho
Fenian prisoners in 1865. had recently been murdered
in London. No confrmatory details given and
the rumor remains as yet unsupported. but
it will be remembered that two years
ago q man suffering from two serious stab
wounds recognized Nagle IN London
hospital. Some doubt was that time expressed as
to the identity of the wounded man. but the belief
became general that he was the quondam informer.
and that his wounds were inflicted o vengeance
for the injury he did the Fonisn and its pro-
moters The latter part Of the year 1885, 1t will be
remembered. time Of great excitement in the
city of Dublin. The Irish People. the organ of the
revolutionary party. had been for two years kndng
the fame Of discomfort among the people Of Ireland
james Stephens and his einissaries had built up the
powerful organization known the Fcnian
spiracy. which then numbered. it is said, over
10000 men. An auxiliary movement in this country
was sending aid to the men in Ireland and the
branches Of the movement penetrated into all parts
Of England and Scotland. Tho leaders were rapidly
maturing their plans for the general instruction
which Stephens promised should give the country
freedom before another New Years Day round.
But the British government was thoroughly on the
alert and September 15 1885, late in the evening.
strong force of police entered the oce of the Irish
People. No. IL Parliament street. Dublin; seized
all papers and materials and small number Of
weapons that we've found there and arrested u num-
bcr Of persons connected with the sta OF the paper
rHE DESTROYER.
peirce
had beeu employed "folder" in the Office. He
was indicted for along with the Others
and for afew days confined in prison and In all
respects apparently treated like them. Then
change camo. His companions noticed that there
something wrong about him, and In . very few
days 1t was known. not that Magic going to be-
tray his follow prisoners merely but that he had for
some time previously been in communication with
the detective police. giving them valuable CLOVIS for
the exposure and overthrow of tho conspiracy and
part in the affair, well substantial pecu-
MARY rewards 1t IL hardly exaggeraton to say that
q general howl Of execration went out from the
breasts OF the Irish people, Even the conservative
or loyal portion Of the population regarded him with
contempt and detestaton. while they wcro bound by
duty TO avail themselves of his services
APPEARANCE PRIVATE
When the first the Fenian trials, that OF Thomas
Clarke Luby the proprietor of the Irish People took
place. Nagle the principal witness the prose-
cution. That trial commenced November ~.
1885, and the next day Nsgle took the stand This
the crowded court room stretched in eager
osity as he took the oath from the Clerk of the
u u
face, straight black hair and very sinister express
sion which was due to his curiously protuberant
and crooked eyes. which he rolled unoasy from side
manner was awkward. yet those who knew him said
he could be plausible and often imposed persons
by an air OF extreme simplicity which he could
assume. He got along very we'll giving his direct
evidence. but 1t was manifest that he suffered
much under the late Mr.. Butts fierce cross-cxaini-
nation. Thstsble advocate succeeded in breaking
down his story In several points, and that, combined
hay Ia hie iunu fnr
weight of corroboration that the Grown prosecutors
were able to advance Among other things he was
obliged to give the story OF his own life. He was
born near Clonmel, county Tippcrsry, and lived
there for many years as national school teacher.
lie also parish clerk, but lost this situation. IL
was said. though not proved in evidence. through
appropriating some of tho property of the altar.
Later he went TO America ana returnng In 1868 was
as teacher in the Dublin Mechsnics' Institute lie
succeeded in making himself popular among his
leaders and associates and inspired many of them
with great confidence. He had wife and two or
three children.
CONNECTION WITH YxxrASIsx.
While still teaching at Cloninc Nagle had Joined the
Fenian movement, becoming q member OF the
'circle' or club over which DR.. d. d. Muicahy pre-
sided. When he went TO Now York he saw John
O'Mahonv and succeeded in getting u testimonial
from him, with which he returned to Dublin and
presented himself ut the fri People Office. where he
got employment through some previous acquaint-
ance with some OF its employees He seoins to have
scraps of information with view to giving informa-
tion, and, as has been said. hc opened communics-
ton with Inspector Ryan. OF the detective force
several months before the arrests Of September 1885,
Duiing this period, when he actuslly bctraying
all he could learn. he was employed secret mis-
! sion to Tipperary by Mr.. stephens.
SUBSEQUENT
When the trials were the informer dsap-
peared The public never heard Of him until he WAS
recognized, ~ told above. In hospital. The story
was mat some oid-timo Fenian recognized him In
| London. where he was working a. book-folder.
walking with his wife in . lonely place he as
Raulted aud stabbed. The wounds did not prove
| fatal, nor was any Glow obtained AZ to the
identity Of his assailsnts He again unheard Of
| until the present ruinor gained circulation.