Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-06-06
IRISH SPIES AT WORK.
One Constable Has Been Working
Here Since Last January.
JAMES LAUGHLIN, THE INFORMER,
Is Now Sending in reports of the Local
Fenian Societies.
TWENTY EMISsARIEs NOW IN AMERICA

The English Government is carrying the
war against Ireland into America. That
Government believe much of the plotting for
the Irish cause is done here in the United
States. In consequence the British author
titles are keeping close watch over the pro-
ceedings of the various Irish organizations
in America For this purpose 20 special
members of the Irish constabulary force are
now in this country sending to the English
officials accurate reports of all the meetings
held, the various undertakings OF the Irish
in America and exactly what aid they are
giving to the Land League and other secret
societies in ireland. They are also keeping
watch on all emissaries of the Irish party in
this country.
One of these constables is at work in
Plttsburg now, and has been on duty here
ct least since last January. His presence
here was first discovered when he went to
Pittsburg notary public to make an affi-
davit as to his warrant for pay.
He was tall man at least six feet in
height, with broad shoulders and just
little stopped. He was raw-boned rather
than long, and had halting kind of a slow
walk. His head was unusually large and
covered with heavy knot of iron gray hair
that grew long. He wore an old-fashioned
stiff hat with broad brim and high full
crown just a trife battered in the rear. His
features were large and his bushy gray eye
Srows almost hid pair of dull gray eyes.
His nose is large and dotted all over with
blackheads. Besides he wore heavy gray
ID hat in oil
gave him the appearance of a man at least
60 years. He wore very plain dark clothes
James Laughiin the Noted InformeE
After he had sworn to his vouchers he
produced a blue envelope and asked the
notary 10 address it for him. The address
be gave was "Pavmaster General, Dublin
Castle, Ireland" When this was done he
started out.
"Why is that old man writing to Dublin
Castle?" was asked of the notary.
He has just madeiaffidavit," was the re-
ply, ''to having worked diligently for the
past three months on matters assigned to
him. He signed the voucher James Laugh
lin, and said he was a member of the con-
stabulary force of the Queen in Ireland"
q hasty trip was at once made to the post
Office where James Laughlin, the Irish con-
stable, was mailing his letter He was
followed to various places downtown and
then disappeared into Schmidt's liquor
store on Fifth avenue. All trace of him
was lost there. 1t is not known whether he
as disguised and made hasty change in
there, but in some way he vanished into
thin air.
Yesterday these facts were laid before
Col. Felix Mcknight of the Board of Erin.
He said be had information that 20 of these
secret agents were at work in the large
cities of America, but this was the first
time he knew of the presence of one here.
When the name Jones Laughlin was men,
tloned to him and general description
given of his build Mr.. Mcknight said he
knew the mans record and had heard of
him, but did not know he was in America
before. Said Colonel McKnight:
Wanted to Lynch Him in Ireland.
James Laughlin is a name we'll known to
The workers for Irish liberty. he was an in
ormer there, and several years ago he gave
I Up some important secrets of the Land
[ ,eague to the Government The feeling
ras so hot against him that the English au-
horities had to hurry him away to save him
from being lynched. He may have been
working for the Government then, and now
there is certainly no doubt about it. / will
10 all / can to find the man."
Mr.. Mcknight was then given fuller de-
icription of Laughlin, and at once declared
he had seen him. He said: 81 believe
that man is one who is playing the peddler.
have seen him several times. He goes by
another name, but he is an Irishman, and
the description fits him exactly. 1 do not
know that he belongs to our order, but he
may to some OF the others. 1 believe 1
will be able to locate this spy within a
week.
held its regular meeting yesterday in X. of
l. hail and elected the following new
officers: Thomas Farnon, of Mckeesport,
County Delegate; Patrick Connen, Pitts
burg, County Secretary; Edward Wallace,
Mckeesport, Assistant Secretary; John
Rowan, Frankstown, Treasurer There
were over 200 members present