The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1907-06-14


the Present Sensational Trials at
Boise, Idaho - Lived for Years
Among the "MoIlles," Where His
Life Literally "Hung by a Thrcad."
Philadelphia.-While there is but I
slight resemblance between the horri. |
bic crimes committed in the mining re-
gions Of Idaho and Colorado and the |
bloodcurdling deeds perpetrated in the
mining regions Of Pennsylvania 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.
ernment in both cases.
James McParlan. easily the greatest
Of living detectives, did more than any
other one man to break up that terri
bic organization known as the Molly
Maguires. James McParlan, "a years
later, drew from Harry Orchard in tie
Idaho penltentiary a confession" OF
more awful crimes than the MoIlies
ever dared to contemplate
Fer 1gase than 20 years the Mollies
fiourished IN the anthracite mining re-
glong Of Pennsylvania. The organlza-
tioa was started before the civil war.
It took Eta name from the ancient
band Of Irish Rlbbonmen, who, dis.
guIsed as women, made forays They
were named from Cornelius Mcguire,
baron Of EnniskIllen. who In 1641 took
part n the Irish rebellion. The spirit
which animated the Pennsylvania So
ciety was, however. entirely different
from that or its prototype.
Membership In the Mollles was rot
confined 20 miners. There we're s.,aoa.l
keepers. tradespeople. artisans, Office
holders and men OF no occupation in
the Organization BY whom 1t was
started. and for what purpose, have re.
mained secrets Its motto was
Friendship. Unity and True Christian
Charity and the meetings Of the
lodges and Of the county convsntions
were opened with prayer Then, after
prayer the business OF making plans
for assassination would be taken up.
II was not. however, until In the
early COS that murders became fire.
quent SorAe boss of a mine. some OBJ
noxious policeman who had dubbed q
drunken Molly, some miner who had
incurred some dlspleasurc Of . mem,
Der Of the order, Or some citizen who
had spoken Of II disFespectfully would
be either beaten within an inch Of his
life. Or murdered occasionally. But
the crimes we're sporadic During the
civil war they increased rapidly in
number, and BY 1871 there was a reign
of terror In the whole anthracite re-
eIon, extending over Ave counties.
During that year and The year follow.
Ing there were 4S murders ana In.
Vulnerable assaults and crimes against
property
MeParlan Becomes . Molly.
Gradually the enmEsy Of the Mollies
was directed toward the mine owners
and the railroad corporations. One
boss after another. who Fad made him
SELF unpopular with the miners wal
murdered, Mines were blown up o
filled with water. Railroad propert!
was burned or destroyed. Final.
President Gowan. Of the Philadelphia
& Reading Coal and Iron company
seeing that the city and state author
lies were roweriass. determined 4
ear On the Pinkertons for aid The,
sent McParlan to the scene. That wa
in 1873. when Mcparlan was 20 year
old.
Mcparlan came from the Pinkel
tons Chicago Office He was born |
ireland. had come to this countr
when young man and had had col
siderable experience with the wOrll
Short and slightly built. but muscula
uf fair complexion. with dark hal
broad forehead and gray eyes an
wearing glasses, he presented a gel
tiemaniy appearance. He had bee
coachman, policeman. clerk In liquG
store and had finally gone into bna
ness for himself The Chicago III
wiped him out Then he went 10 woI
for the pinkertons.
Following his instructions 10 leai
all he could about the Mnllies, McPa
Ian went to pottsyille. PA. He change
hia naule to McKenna He got 9
qnaInsed with everybody. He "
looking Tor work In the mines. ]
could sing good song, dance \
pass roueh ioke. be polite and
tentiye to the girls. drink his share
whisky and pay for 1t, and was alwa
ready for row Or shindy OF any kin
He was Just rollieking. impulsil
generous. careless. unreasonable, GU
relsome, devil-mly-eara Irlshrnan
He got lob In mine. He insist
On working In his best clothes So
his coat was thrown aside. then
vest. and finally his shirt. He p
Aplred and suffered under the nnwo
ed toll. He soon learned, howey
that It was not AZ the skillful miner
as the Industrious laboFeF that adm
sion to Or inEuence I'll the hiolliea !
% be obtained.
SO tic gave that up and cajoled
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