Charlevoix county herald., 1907-06-01

He Is the Center of Interest for His
Work That Was Responsible for
the Present Sensational Trials at
Boise, Idaho Lived for Years
Among the "Molles," Where His
Life Literally "Hung by Thread"
Philadelphia.-Wh there is but
blight resemblance between the horri-
Bile crimes committed in the mining re-
gions of fdaho and Colorado and the
blooacurdling deeds perpetrated in the
mining regions of Pennsylvania a gen.
Grafton ago, there is this extraordinary
link between them, that the same man
was instrumental in procuring the
most important evidence for the gov
eminent in both cases
James McParlan, easily the greatest
of living detectives, did more than any
other one man to break uS that terri
BILE organization known as the Molly
Maguires. James McParlan, "a years
later drew from Harry Orchard in the
Idaho penitentiary confession" of
more awful crimes than the Mollies
ever dared to contemplate
For more than 20 years the Mollies
fourished in the anthracite mining re-
gions Of Pennsylvania. The organiza-
ton was started before the civil war.
1t took its name from the ancient
band of Irish Ribbonmen, who dis
gulsed as women, made forays. They
were named from Cornelius Mcguire,
baron OF Enniskillen, who in 1641 took
part in the Irish rebellion. The spirit
which animated the Pennsylvania So
ciety was, however, entirely different
from that of its prototype.
Membership in the Mollies was not
confined to miners. There were saloon
keepers, tradespeople, artisans, Office
holders and men of no occupation in
the organization. BY whom it was
started, and for what purpose, have re-
manned secrets. It's motto was
Friendship Unity and True Christian
Charity and the meetings of the
lodges and of the county conventions
were opened with prayer. Then, after
prayer the business of making plans
for assassination would be taken up.
1t was GOt, however, until in the
early Cos that murders became fire.
quent. Some boss OF mine, some OBJ
noXious policeman who had dubbed a
drunken Molly, some miner who had
incurred some displeasure of q mem
Der Of the order, or some citizen who
had spoken of it disrespectfully would
be either beaten within an inch of his
life, or murdered occasionally. But
the crimes were sporadic. During the
civil war they increased rapidly in
number, and by 1871 there was a reign
of terror in the whole anthracite re-
gion, extending over five counties.
During that year and the year follow
ing there were As murders and in
Vulnerable assaults and crimes against
property.
McParlan Becomes Molly.
Gradually the enmity of the Mollies
was directed toward the mine owners
and the railroad corporations. One
boss after another, who had made HIM
self unpopular with the miners, was
murdered. Mines were blown up or
filled with water. Railroad property
was burned or destroyed. Finally
President Gowan, of the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal and Iron company.
seeing that the city and state authori-
ties were powerless. determined to
call on the Pinkertons for aid. They
sent McParlan to the scene. That was
in 1873, when McParlan was 20 years
old.
McParlan came from the Pinker-
tons Chicago Office He was born in
Ireland, had come to this country
when a young man and had had con-
siderable experience with the world
Short and slightly built, but muscular,
of fair complexion, with dark hair,
broad forehead and gray eyes and
wearing glasses, he presented a gen.
tlemanly appearance. He had been
coachman, policeman clerk in liquor
store and had finally gone into bust
ness for himself. The Chicago fire
wiped him out. Then he went to work
for the Pinkertons
Following his Instructions to learn
all he could about the Mo1ies, McPar-
Ian went to Pottsyille, Pa. He changed
his name to McKenna. He got ac-
quainted with everybody. He was
looking for work in the mines. He
could sing a good song, dance a jig,
uass a rough joke. be polite and at
5entive to the girls drink his share of
whisky and pay for it, and was always
ready forH row or shindy of any kind.
He was Sust a rollicking, impulsive,
generous, careless. unreasonable, quar-
relsome. devil-may-care lrishmGn
He got a job in a mine. He insisted
on vocting in his best clothes. Soon
his coat was thrown aside, then his
vest, and finally his shirt. He per-
spired and suffered under the unwont-
ed toll. He soon learned however,
4bat ~ ,r,os not nc tto elyi1Ifu1 ,,,inar ~.