The Portland daily press., 1889-02-27
1T WAS EcAN.
Who Discovered That Plgott Was
the Forger.

LONDON, Teb. 26.-From a gentleman
high In authority in the prosecution of the
Parnell-Times case was heard the true story
of how the conspiracy against Parnell was
detected. The evidence by which the con-
spiracy was exploded was sent to London
from distant point Of the western portion
of the United States. Without this evidence
the Times would have undoubtedly won,
Notwithstanding the spuiiousness of the let
ters.
Up to July. Parnell. his counsel and col
leagues were wholly at sea. They knew the
letters were forged. but the forgeries were so
adroit it. was clear the crime had been
committed by some one having access to the
correspondence of Parnell and Egan. One
day last July young American priest Rev.
Maurice J. Dorney of Chicago accompanied
by Rev. Herbert Dunn of the same city sent
his card to Mr.. Parnell at the House of Com
mons. When they met, Father
that he had package to
deliver which was placed in his hands the
night before he sailed from New York. 1t
contained. he said, evidence that would re-
veal the forgeries and the identity of the
forger of the letters printed in the London
Times. He received telegram from Alex
ander Sullivan of Chicago, asking him to
meet Patrick Egan at the railroad station in
New York the night before he was to sail
for Liverpool. He did so and learned the
whole story. Only Egan, Sullivan and him
self we're familiar with the contents of the
package, but Patrick Ford of the Irish
World would be taken into confidence by
Egan. Mr.. Parnell said the gentlemen
named would understand the need of Sc
crecy without a request or word of caution.
The discovery that Pigott was the forger,
was made by Mr.. Egan in Lincoln, Neb
Egan writes that he was sorely perplexed
by the forged letters, fac-simIles of which he
got in the London Times. The signature Of
good. Expressions and odd abbreviations
peculiar to him were in the text. He re-
called Richard Pigott, but he had been so
long dead in politics aud covered with accu-
mulated shame that Mr.. Egan dismissed him
from his mind. He remembered Pigott had
been In forgeries many years before. In
scrutiniZing the forged fac-similes he finally
discovered one signed with his own name
written ayowedly at certain address
in Paris. Recollection flashed ON him
that Pigott was the only man to whom
he had ever given it, Pigott had written
him for confidential address to which he
might send important information. Mr..
Egan, concluding to learn what it was Sc
cured this address which proved key to the
forgeries. Mr.. Egan, who is methodical In
his habits, had saved the correspondence for
years. 1t has been his custom 10 write on
| the fly leaf of letter received his answer
and then copy the matter to be sent to the
correspondent. Thus he had the letter and
answer together. He searched his volumes
| of letters until he found Pigott's, and by
| comparing them with the. handwriting on
| the forged letters he saw that he had the
| forger He submitted the letters written by
Pigott experts together with fac-similes
| of the forged letters. They Immediately de-
tected the CHARACTERISTIC peculiarities
| and confirmed them under the microscopic
Mr.. Egan had PigOtt's letters aud forge
ries photographed and placed before Alex
| tried TO sell the Irishman (newspaper) to
| Parnell and Egan, he furnished an inventory
| apparently authenticated by well known
| Dublin accountants, showing the value OF
| the property Of the concern. Mr., Egan
| proved the Inventory false and that Pigott
had forged the accountants signatures. Fig
| oft was caught in another similar transac-
| tion. III the Office Of Pigott's newspaper
| was a man who contributed to the Boston
ter Ter his death relative dis
covered that Patrick Donahue. then
editor of the Pilot, had remitted
| Leo draft which his family never received
| PIgott took the draft, forged an endorse
ment and drew the money. Mr.. Egan found
among the papers some letters written by
| him in which entire sentences appeared also
| in the forged letters. Pigott had traced
these sentences carefully word for word.
| and then interpolated and added other
sentences and phrases completely Changing
the meaning ef the letter while preserving
the integrity Of portions. Dates were
changed to make the criminal interpretations
applicable to illegal events. Mr.. Egan also
found letters by Mr.. Parnell similarly used.
| No hint of the contents of the nackage
ever became public until Mr.. Parnell in an
interview with Pigott In the presence OF
Messrs. Labouchere aud Lewis asked Pigott
certain questions which disclosed to the cul-
prlt tnat evidence was secured couvicting
fears to the Times, OF was watched by its
detectives and traced into ParnelPs pres