Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-02-25
PIGOTT'S EXPLOITS.


An Interesting Chapter In tho Career OF
the Yender of the Famous Pamen Let
ters.
New YORK, February 24.-The early
exploits Of Richard PigOtt, the vender and
suspected forger of the famous Parnell
letters, form an interesting chapter in the
story Of his career In youth he WAS a
careless fellow, drifting about the city of
Dublin, intent upon pleasure and excite
ment. His father was the chief baron of
the exchequer, and was one of the first
Catholic judges Ireland had. The younger
Pigott was educated in Olangow's College,
with number of enthusiastic Young Irish
men whom be deserted in the hour of peril
few years later.
Among the men in this city who knew
Pigott well at this time is Colonel John
0'Byrne. He describes the Pigott of that
day as talented, smOOth-tslking young
man, with pleasant and persuasive man
ners. His iather's position gained for him
admission into the best circles, where his
rampant talk against the foes of Ireland
made him appear to be man willing to
sacrifice everything for the sake of his
country.
PigOtt was on friendly terms with
number of men interested in the
Young Ireland party, and when
the party was separated, in 1s47,
and the Moral Force party was organized
in its stead, Pigott bscame prominent
in the councils of the latter He was one
of the 81 delegates to the Council of the
Irish Confederation. Among the others
were Judge O'GoTman, Charles Gavan
Duffy, Thomas Francis Mesgher, Thomas
darcy MCGEE and William Smith O'Brien.
Pigott was a prominent figure in the
meetings Of the CouEcil, and talked great
deal about the necessity Of bloodshed and
other terrible things. 1t was difficult to
calm him after one of his outbursls, and
he acted as though he wanted to 90 right
ont and whip England himself He
couldn't bear to hear a suggestion of
peaceful measures, and protested again
and again that bloOdshed alone could &C
complish the ends desired.
Ii was as much due to Pigotts inham-
matory speeches az TO any other cOnsdera-
ton that, at the convention in D'Olier
street, in Dublin, in July, 1913, it was re-
solved to attempt to raise the Deasautry of
Tpperary to jnsurrecto1. PigOtt grew
Historically happy over this, snd demand
cd thai he be assigned to post OF danger |
aud difficulty. The council sent Richard |
O'G)rmau, Thomas Francis Meagher and
Morris Leyne, nephew OF Daniel O'Oon-
nell, 10 different cities.
john Lswless, a solicitor, Patrick |
O'D3nohue, Colonel O'Biren and Pigott |
were stationed in the counties OF Wicklow |
and Kildare. They were to meet and |
arrange for a division Of their work. |
All were on hand at the appointed |
time, except PigOtt. After dreary |
wait il became evident that Pigott wonld |
rot appear, snd O'Donohue declared
that be mnst have betrayed them.
The result of this attempt to rouse and
arm the peasantry Of Ireland is we'll known.
Scarcely mOuth had passed before O'Don-
Dhue, Mesgher AID O'Bfien we're arrested
and lodged in prison. Pilott had mysteri-
1usly disappeared. 1t was rumored that
Efforts were making 70 arrest him, bat
when st last he reappsared he wss allowed
o strut about unmolesied.
Tue three prisoners we're hurriedy tried
.nd promptly convicted. They were cen
enced to be hanged, drawn and and quar-
cred. The senterce aroused widespread
Indignation. and Minister Pvoha"ar vig0r-
,usly protested against its execution. He
said il would shock the sentiment Of the
civilized world. In spite Of an apparently
earnest fight on the part Of the prosecution
against clemency, the sentence was COM
nu.ed TO transportation to Vandieman's
and. The men were taken there, but all
,f them eventually succeeded in escaping.
His former companions hsd hardly been
aiken away before Pigott bObbei mp again.
lie was terribly enraged at the way they
iad been treated by the Government, and
alked loudly and fufiously about war and
as formerly, but the people
we're shy of him, a1d his harangue5 were
mostly addressed to Ominously silent aud
encCs.
The hunt after the men engaged in the
.ouucis Of the Confederation was vigor-
,usly prosecuted, and there was q scram-
,le among them 10 get out Of the country.
The people were awed by the prompt con-
,ictiOn and terribly severe sentence of tbs
nen who were captured This embOlden-
ID Pigott to appear again in Dublin and
ry once more 10 lead the Irish patriots
INTO trouble.
For q time PigOtt was recognized as an
agent of the English Government, whose
plan was 70 betray men into expressions OF
Ill-will against the Government, and to or
ganize them for the purpose of resisting 1t,
ard then deliver them up to the prison
and the eallows. His life might have been
in jeopardy in other circumstances, but he
was feared rs much IS hated, and lived to
Engage in the plots which are now being
.evealed before the Parnell commission OF
inquiry.