The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-10
McDERMOTT As a SPY.
what the Irish Leaders Charge
Against the Prisoncr-An In.
formcr Escaping Murder.

A New York special TO the Philadelphia
Press saws: The arrest OF James McDer-
mott. OF Brookyn--for there seems 10 he
no doubt OF the identity Of the prisoner
ON board the City OF Montreal, at Liver
nool. on Monday, has caused considerable
excitement in Irish national circles here.
The announcement that the charge against,
him WAS conspiracy 10 murder British Off
cIals was received with a broad grin 10y
those who are thoroughly posted on the
plans Of the Irish party al war against the
English Government.
IL can be stated with absolute positive
ness that not only is no confidence placed
in McDcrmott, but that 1t is believed in
Irish circles that the charge that be was 4
British spy and contributed TO several inn
portant arrests can be subsiantiated with
inconicstiblc proof. The shooting in which
he figured az Ryan's saloon, in Chambers
street few Saturdays ago. was no sham
affair McDermott had become a marked
man. and was tracked from ireland by two
men who had sworn to take his life.
Ii is said that consciousness OF this fact
led 10 his sudden return TO England, ap-
parcntlv without the knowledge OF sim
Gle friend or relative. and that his arrest
Was put-up Job with the British authori-
ties 10 hOodwink his cOuntrymen on this
side % the water. From statements made
to-day by several prominent members OF
the Fenian brotherhood it is certain that
II such was McDermott's intention he has
not met with any success. lie is to-day
more bitterly hated, deSpised, and suspect
ed than ever. and some OF them go so far
a. 10 saw that they would not be surprised
IL his next appearance would be in the
witncss-chair 10 testify against Feather
stone and the other alleged conSpirators at
present on trial in Liverpool.
Slid one o, the FcnlanS to-day: eve
will show that the iniamy Of Carey vas
nothing i'm comparison with that Of McDer-
mott" A reporter called at O'DonOvan
Rossa's Office, II Chambers street, New
York, this afternoon. and found the ire
eonciable patriot i'm close consultation with
half a dozen men. almost all Of whom are
as deep A. himself IN Irish conSpiracies.
The subject Of McDermott's arrest was the
cngrosSing topic of conversation, and the
presence OF the reporter did not at first
check it.
judge Brennan. OF Sioux City, one OF
the most prominent Irish leaders in the
country. was most OutSpOkcn i'm his de-
nnnciatiou Of McDermott. lie went TO
Ireland, he said, and put up an infamous
lob, travelling on MS supposed connection
with Irish organizations in this country.
Then he would 90 and give information TO
the Government, and thus lead to the arrest
or punishment oi his victims. This, too,
has been going on for a long time, but
every detail of his infamous work is
known down even TO the amount OF money
ne received and the manner in which it
was placed in hls hands.
lInr 4 a
Judge?"
1T was all blind. lie found that his
life was not worth days purchase here
and he simply went over there and sur
rendered himself. 1t is even likely that he
notified the authorities beforehand about
his movements
What could have been his obiect?"
ITO produce an impression that he was
a patriot and do away with the views Of
his character entertained by Irishmen
here