The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-11-23
PRINCIPAL
TESTIFIES
An Important Witness in the West
MahanOy Township Case.
HISTORY OF THE CAMPAIGN FUND
Principal Gallagher Tells How Money is
Raised in the Township to Elect
School Directors and Get the
Position of Teacher.

Pottsville, Nov. 23.-Yesterday's proceed
ings in the trial of the School Directors of
West Maeanoy Township created renewed
intetest in the case, especially while the
principal of the schools was on the stand,
and If the program of the Commonwealth
continues in its present shape some interest
ing chapters may be looked for.
Joseph Donald, brother Of one of the
School Directors, was kept on the witness
stand for some time by Mr.. Whalen. The
witness said he also did work for the school
district to the amount of S4 80. He au-
thorized his brother, the School Director, to
get the order and have 10 cashed. Witness
supposed that the money was turned over to
ms sister, who received the money for the
family and gave it out as she thought best.
Their all the family shared in this money ?
Yes, sir.
On cross-examination Mr.. Mari tried to get
the witness to state more clearly as to who
brought the money from the School Board.
but witness could not recollect whether it
was his brother Thomas, or John, His sister
IS the housekeeper for the family and the
boys turn over their earnings to her. Wit
ness said he is now getting 81 q day at the
KOhinoor c~olliery. Before he got the school
work he was running cars at No. 3 for 50 a
week.
Mr.. Whalen: You got this school work be-
cause you were out Of a job
Yes, sir.
Mr.. Mari: You are a jack of all trades.
You have built wheelbarrows and done all
kinds of work.
Yes, sir.
Mr.. Whalen You do not call yourself a
carpenter2
No, sir.
How many wheelbarrows have you built ?
One.
FERGUSON
called and sworn. live at Lost Creek and
] work in the mines am a mu1p drivar
Am 20 years Of age. Brother of p. j. Fergu-
son and single. live with my father and
mother with three other brothers. have a
sister teaching school. l didn't pay a school
tax in 1896.
Were you eXOnerated2
That's what they say.
Did you see the list of generations tackled
up in the township?
Yes, sir.
And saw your name on it? y,
Yes, sir.
How much money do You earn in a month
Some times $40, sometimes $50, and some
times only $50, depends on how the mines
work.
Did anybody ever ask you to pay schoo
tax in 1892
No, sir nobody ever asked me, but pai(
them in 1897.
That was after this prosecution wa
brought2
Yes, sir,
Did you pay a county tax in 1882
Yes, sir.
Who to?
The tax collector?
Why did you pay the county tax and no
the school tax?
l don't know.
On cross-examinatiOn witness said hi
father is very old and troubled with miners
asthma and the boys support him.
Was not your father janitor at the VIM
Penn school building2
Yes, sir up to 5 or 6 years ago. He wa
Obliged to give it up on account Of gettinI
too old.
JOUN MCLOUGHLIN
called and sworn. Lives at Brownsville
Am a miner or labOrer. In 1896 l was one o
the township auditors.
How much pay did You receive?
Twenty-Five dollars.
Did you pay any school tax for that year
No, sir.
We're you present when the exoneratiOl
list was handed in?
Yes, sir.
Did you see your name on that list2
l saw it on the circular.
Didn't you as auditor examine that ex
oneration list
l went partly over it,
Did you 60 through the M's2
/ did.
Did you find your name on it?
L may nave, DuG uOn'b recOlleCG now.
Witness said Messrs. Noon and McLai
were present when the audit was being made
Mr.. Gallagher was there as clerk and witnes
5 paid him So. Witness got the $25 eithe
from the Girard Estate, or the Taxpayer,
Association. He got the cash from Nj
Thiekens. Mr.. Wagner was present at tw
p of the three meetings of the Auditors. VII
ness has q wife and eight children.
Why didn't you pay your school tax out q
the auditors pay2
Because l though 1 needed it more for tn
necessities of my family at the time. l wa
in poor circumstances
Michael j. Brennan, a school teacher
the township, was next called, and identitie
the School Board minutes of June 3, 1897, {
+ being in his handwriting. He also sprea
most of the eXOneratiOn lists on the minute
Mrs. Peter Joyce was called, but failed
respond. Mr.. Wadlinger presented a pap,
from DR.. P. f. Burke, of Shenandoah, cert
D flying that Mrs. Joyce was i'll. Mr.. Whale
was not satisfied and the court ordered thu
DIR. Burke either swear to the certificate, {
appear in court.
Mr.. Whalen then read the following e.
tracts from the minutes of the school Boa
= Of June !, 1896 ION motion of Mr.. Noon
Mr.. Il. E.. Flanagan act as secretary for 81
ensuing year at a salary Of $780," Also I'll
following extracts from the minutes of Jul
8, 1897: ION motion the secretary be allowt
f SIS extra for attending to the school suppl
y sd for Deer 20
U.s. Al L MA |-eg.e ~