The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-11-19

~ EHIND long table in Of the talest Office
buildings in Denver. overlooking a window
that faces the topped Rocky Mountains,
you can find each day quiet appearing man
reading his mail or directing his many assist
ants in their duties There is nothing about the man
at first glance lead to suspect him of being
of the worlds famous detectives You would never
guess his life had been in danger times than
perhaps that of any other man Of his years Ger
tany there have been attempts to kill him than
any man who has before the public in the last
two score years.
Not dozens but hundreds of plans have been worked
on to kill this man. yet to-day he is calmly going
on about his duties seemingly without thought Of
his remarkable life. James Mcfarland is passing
strange in that he does seek publicity-in fact
he refused for than thirtyfve years to tell
Of his connection with the famous Mol Mcguire case;
but after all these years he found in the Denver
office Of Pnkerton's National Detective Agency and
granted interview that gives the story of what is
still called the most daring piece of detective work
ever accomplished in this any other country.
Il have desire to discuss this case," objected Mr.
MCFARLAND; land while it is old story it is still new,
for all the details have never been known"
1t suggested to Mr.. Mcfarland that the public
had been fed Sherlock Holmes cases-detectives
had told of marvellous work of theirs In detecting
crime.
That's the point" he snapped. The public thinks
the average ueleClEe Is SOlue strange Wnen
matter of fact he must have good common sense
just plenty of that l go in for hard work. and that
is all"
And you still recall the Molly Mcguire case In all
its detasT" he was asked.
There are some things in mans life that always
remain vivid to him. matter If he is talking about
what occurred nearly two score years before" de-
clared Mr.. MCFARLAND he turned from his desk
1T would be strange indeed If did not recall in all
npfa
of Pennsylvania, even though entered into the long
case in 1873.
whether l born detective or not never
worried me. detective must have plenty of common
sense perhaps nerve and the ability to stick to
case when matters look the darkest But, more i'm
portant be must be ready to do ha-d work; ready o
go days without rest at times
IAN operator must have confidence in his employers
and that is what had with the Pinkertons. l was
also deeply interested in the Molly Mcguire cases for
more reasons than But first did not forget |
detective sent to collect evidence kept that
in front Of me at all times trying to tell the
young man how to be detective-I don't think you
can do that
ITO tell the detailed story Of the Molly Mcguire case
would require more than one book, when it will be
remembered that l spent more than three years In
gathering evidence against perhaps the boldest band
of murderers and dangerous that ever infested
this country"
Mr. Mcfarland paused to read telegram and write
q reply, and then continued
The Molly Magulres of Pennsylvania obtained their
name from the band OF the same name i'll Ireland
The Molly Maguires Of Ireland crept into being
test the rights socaed rights, Of the nonresident
landlords Of Ireland. When agent Of land owner,
backed by bain and constable, called upon the ten
ants Of Ireland collect what often unjust
taxes he met by band Of men dressed as women.
who attacked and beat the agent and hfs assistants
During the late SOS the Molies, as they were often
called, organized In Schuylkil Carbon and Columbia
counties and other coal districts Of Pennsylvania
They were not satisfied with the wage scale that
existed or with the way mine superintendent ran
ms business They objected to the way certsln men
do tner work As rule they comprised cold. 'rie.
sensn Dooy OF men who unable to have things done as
they wished took 1t upon themselves to eorrst exist