The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-09
Regarded with Distrust in America, and
Considered a British Spy and Informer-
He Leaves to Save His Life.
His History, as Detailed by Resi-
dent at Washington.
Capture of Vessel at Tacoma Engaged in
Smuggling Cinnamon Into the United
Ststes-Notes and Personalities.
nrDERMoTvs STATUS.
Regarded with Suspicion, He Leaves Ameri.
to Escape the Avengers.

ca Escape the Avengers
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
WASHINGTON, Aug. 8.-One of the leading
spirits in the Irish agitation in the country,
a resident OF New York, said to your corre-
spondent this evening: Il have not the
slightest doubt that James McDermott, whose
arrest for conspiracy against the British gov
ernment was mentioned in the dispatches
from London, is an informer, and that his
arrest is trick. He is CONSCIOUSNESS ras-
cal and has been suspected for three or four
years of being an agent of the English gov
ernment and an informer Three years ago
Michael Scanlan, the old Fenian leader,
notified the Irish Nationalists in
New York to be on their guard against
McDermott, as he was a treacherous man.
mouthed patriots in the country, and while
he was talking the loudest, he was trading
with the British to sell his country. OF this
have not the slightest doubt He was in
France during the trial of the four Brooklyn
Irishmen who were given twenty years, in
London, four weeks ago, for conspiracy, and
the 'Invincibles' had reliable information
that he furnished evidence to convict Them.
These four men were as good men as ever
breathed. When McDermott visited Dub
lin about this time, several attempts
were made to kill him, and he fed to
America to escape assassination at the hands
of the avengers. About two weeks ago he
was shot at while in a drinking-saloon on
Chatham street. New York, the bullet just
grazing his head. He was regarded with sus-
picion on every hand, and on the 25th he set
sail for England, to escape the avengers at
home. He was followed by one or two In
vincibles from Dublin, and it was
one of these who shot at him
through a saloon window on Catham street.
If he had not fed from New York
he would certainly have been killed. The
British government arrested him on arrival
at Liverpool to protect him. 1t is possible
the government may put him on trial and
convict him of conspiracy, but the proceed
ing will be farce. If the government lacks
evidence to convict, he will furnish it him
self. He is compelled to resort to this meas
ure to protect himself, but he is too late.
His treason is already known to the Irwin
cibles,' and he is among the doomed. He
will be sent to join Carey sooner or later.
McDermott is a reckless, daring spirit who
has forced himself to the front In various
Irish movements, and although distrusted
from the first, he would not be put down.
He gained the secrets of the leaders that he
might betray the cause, and in this he has
partially succeeded. He is thoroughly re-
deemed from virtue, and is well worthy the
description of a moral imbecie. He was
member of the Pope's brigade in Italy, and
was knighted by his Holiness for bravery IN
the battle of Spaetta. He served in that
famous brigade with Colonel Coppinger,
Blaine's son-in-law, together with
Keogh, who was killed with General Custer,
General Gleason and many others who after
ward served with distinction in the army.
But after the war he went to the bad, and he
has been going from bad to worse ever since.
He was newspaper reporter in Chicago and
New York, and was in Washington for sew
eral months. He was in the employ of AL
Dagget while the latter was a power in Brook
lyn politics, and proved useful auxiliary of
that shrewd politician so long as he was we'll
paid. He has always professed the warmest
allegiance for Ireland, and during the Fem
ian excitement ten or fifteen years ago he was
sent to Chicago to aid Michael Scanlan, the
Fenian leader. 1t was then that the latter
learned to distrust him and doubt the sim
cerity of his blatant proclamation of patriot
ism. He has been marked man for twelve
months but it is only since the conviction of
the four Brooklyn Irishmen in London that
his associates have had the proof on him. l
can back up what 1 have told you with proof,
if put to the test"