Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1896-11-19
SECRETS OF CLAN MA GAEL
Witness Tells About Joining Several
Hibernian Orders for the Purpose
Of Keeping the English Government
Informed of Their Actions Spy
Seems Very Much Scared.

developed into a sensation equal in ex-
lions of Spy LIE Caron some years
ago. Hitherto the testimony has been
of the usual monotonous, police court
description; but yesterday the crown,
represented by G.. e. Gill, sprung a
sensation in the shape of the testi-
mony of government spy, known as
Jones'" a native of Armagh, Ireland,
who seems TO have succeeded in be-
coming a member of the secret Irish
organizations OF New York under
instructions" and to have possessed
himself of the secrets of the clan-na
behaved in the most unconcerned
manner, as if confident of acquiUtal;
but yesterday when Zones" was
placed in the witness box the pris-
oner's face showed CONSERVATION. He
was completely staggered by the APP
pearance Of Jones" under such cir
cumstances and great though sup
pressed excitement prevailed in the
court when the rumor was circulated
that the prosecution expected mysteli-
Gus witness, whose real name would be
kept secret, to unrayel the secret his
tory of the physical force" movement
in the United States When Jones"
first appeared ON the witness stand
Gill asked the presiding magistrate to
stop all sketching in the court, ex-
claiming that it was of the utmost inn
portance that nothing should be al
lowed TO transpire to identify the wit
ness in the future. But Jones"
caused more excitement during the
proceedings by suddenly addressing
Magistrate Vaughan, saying: "a re-
porter is making a sketch Of me; |
fear for my safety" The magistrate
then ordered the reporter to des'st, but
prison attendant soon afterwards
said to the magistrate: The reporter
is writing a description OF Jones.
The magistrate thereupon sternly re-
marked. II will not allow even writ
ten description OF the witness to be
made" Chief Inspector Melville of
Scotland Yards who was present took
an active part in suppressing the TAX
ing of descriptions of Jones"
Jones" is a small insignificant look
ing man, five feet five inches high,
with brown beard and moustache
and hair a shade darker He has
bulging forehead and black eyes, pale
complexion and furt!ve, shifting
look He was very nervous while in
court and constantly pulled his beard.
He spoke with prolonged brogue.
He delivered his testimony as though
in fear OF his life and seemed to be
scared of the sound of his voice. At
the close OF the proceedings a jailer
remarked to a representative of the as
ISOLATED press: Jones is dead man;
am glad that | am not in his shoes.
When Iyorys counsel asked Jones
to give the initials OF his name the
witness refused, but the counsel in
sisted and also demanded to know the
address OF Jones in New York,
whereupon the witness replied Il
fear for my safety and decline to give
the particular location. The magis
trate upheld Jones in his refusal and
then followed a dramatic incident.
The counsel for the prisoner solemnly
asked: Did you take the oath of the
clan na-gael?" Upon hearing the
question Jones" turned pale, hesitat-
ed and then feebly answered Yes.
Iyory's counsel thereupon said: You
intended at the time not to observe
it?" To this question Jones" re-
piled Yes; did not intend to observe
it" The counsel thereupon said:
Have you any respect for the oath
you have given here today?' Yes"
replied Zones" in a weak voice. This
incident caused the deepest impression
upon all present.
Replying to questions upon the part
of Mr.. c.. F. GILL; who prosecuted for
the treasury department, Jones said
he was a native of Armagh and was
employed by the British government
to make inquiries at Manchester IN
1890 and that in 1891 he was sent to
America, where he continued his in
Quiries. In November, 1891 Jones
continued, he entered the employ OF
wholesale grocers in New York city
ard remained with them until 1895,
when he opened business Of his
own. Jones" remained in New York
until September Of the present year.
all this time apparently making In
uuiries for the British government.
He added that early in 1892 he met
William Lyman president Of the Irish
National alliancel and Boland in
New York city and learned Of the ex-
istenee Of the Irish Nationalists or
ganization, known among its members
as the United Irish" or 1T. II. :
whose executive body Jones" further
stated, was known by the letters d
A."
Continuing, Jones said that on
instructions" he joined the organdza-
ton and was initiated into camp
known as the Shamrock club among
those present at the initiation being
Lyman. Boland, Gallagher, Kearney
and lyman.