The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-26

Herald o. All hEhts reserved,
4 F you called upon to join band Of murderers
men who made it their business to kl--no doubt
you would think twice about the matter. If your
orders to become active member-not to
take part in any of the crimes but to stop all you
could while gathering evidence which later on was to
hang twenty-three and send to prison, no
doubt you would think you had hard task
That is what James MCFARLAND was instructed to
do and he did ibid 1t without any frills; did it by
hard and everyday work, but effectively that he be-
known the greatest detective of the time and
to-day, after than thirty five years. the work Of
James MCFARLAND the Molly Mcguire cases is still
spoken of with awe by police officials.
To-day Mr.. MCFARLAND is living in Denver and is
still IN the employee of Pinkertons National Detective
Agency superintendent Of the Denver branch. 1t
was easier for him to break up the world famous
band of murderers than tell his story, for he is
modest man with all his wonderful record detec
tive
But once you get him started on his subject facts
and dates and names rolling out Of his mouth in
the way that gained him reputation for having
remarkable memory the trial Of the various mem
bers Of the Molly Maguires.
ITO explain how l became a member of the Molly
Maguires, in effort to break up that lawless Or
Ganization, detail Of my movements the
first Of which will give the reader idea how OBJ
tanned the original information that gave the long
sought chance" declared Mr., Mcfarland.
ut in October 1873 that went to Philadelphia
from Chicago and there conferred with Benjamin
Franklin. the local superintendent of the Pnkertons
We agreed outline, ciphers and the of
my work but Of the majority of the details had
to be left to chance
when I arrived in Port Clinton, Pa. stayed but
day. had to learn the lay of the country it
be remembered. 1 went on to Auburn and after
few hours went to Pnegrove and from this place to
Schuylkin Haven, four miles from PottsvilIe.
that later be the scene of so many stirring
incidents in my life found interesting enough to
spend four days in Pottsvte. and then rode TO Ire
mont.
Thought Reports Exaggerated.
ut was not until | reached fremont that 1 first
talked about the Moes, Before leaving Philadelphia
1 had told Mr.. Franklin that | thought the reports
about the Mollies foolish and exaggerated. did not
take much stock in the story that band of men was
organized for the sole purpose Of murder. but as
detective it my business TO get the facts, and
did not let my opinion sway | had copy of the
Boston Pilot. which told of the outIawry of the
Mollies
Il discussed this article venturing for local tnforma
ton. with a named Fitzgibbors a railroad en-
Poye, and Donohue. who kept u tavern.
This is a foolish story | asserted 1 don't think
there is such thing Il Molly Mcguire society"
y well, you mistaken young man. was told
emphatcaly. You stay in this district for time and
you will mighty soon find out had gained my first
InformatioD-nOt much it i, true but it was starter
went on to Newton, Swatara, Middle Greek, Rauschs
Creek and Donaldson. looking for work, l told the
people met After spending four days in Tower City
] went back to fremont and then on Minersvie.
In this wandering had picked up enough TO know
that the MOllies were real organizaton-more real
than even F. B. Gowen president of the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad. Allan Pinkerton thought.
decided to go to Philadelphia and make detailed
report Of what had beard. found and thought. My
report convinced my supprOrs that should go with
the case and make PottSville my working head
quarters.
Il arrived in POttsvle in December with fnstr1lc-
lions to try to join the Molly Maguires Mr. Pinkerton
deemed this Of the greatest Importance he declared
We could never get the real leaders until knew the
inside facts.
Il hired room at Mrs. ORegan's boarding house in
East Norwegian street was healthy young fellow
less than thirty years of age and l could sing do
Jig and tell a story. I explained l looking for
Job, but as l had saved some money 1 was not in a
big rush. l managed to get in a fight with a fellow