The Washington herald., 1911-12-10

HERE is just one mystery that
James Mcfarland would like to
solve, and that is how he was
first suspected by the Molly Ma
guire band of Pennsylvania OF
being a detective. There have
been many solutions offered. but none OF
them is certain. But suspected he was,
and it was only by a wonderful display OF
nerve that he was not killed, for many
ATTEMPTS were made to assassinate him by
members Of the band Of murderers.
After thirty-fve years I am not sure
how was first suspected" declared MI
Mcfarland as he sat in his office OF the
Denver branch of the Pinkerton agency.
"I have ideas. Of course. but, as l say
lam not sure. And don't suppose will
ever find out"
Gan sorts Of efforts were made to Kill
vou?" was suggested.
"Yes. good many attempts, but man
aged 70 escape each time" he replied.
"Fbr years the Molly MaEuires had
been killing men. burning buildings and
DESTROYING property generally throughout
SchuvIkiIl. Carbon. Luzerne and Columbia
counties. in Pennsylvania. without being
moleSted by law and order" he went on.
Law and order. as matter of fact. were
afraid of the MoIlies. and rightly so.
"I had been a member of the Mollies for
some two years. and in the time Of my
membership many of the band had been
arrested and we're face to face with JUS
tice ar last Some one had been giving
away their secrets Who could il be? ]
heard murterings and discussions on all
sides II was argued among the men that
some detective had been obtaining evil
dence or traitor had managed to creep
into the organiza ton.
at was important to keep the finger
of suspicion away from myself. The ar
rival of Captain r. ]. Linden. assistant
superintendent of the Pinkertons in the
district. had of course caused some uneasi-
ness. but the Mollies knew that no out
slider could ever gain all the facts. I
would send my daily reports to Benja-
min Franklin. at Philadelphia, and
through him CAPTAIN Linden was kept
Informed. and in this way we could work
together
Getting a Bad Reputation.
Il ARRANGED little byplay with Linden
so as to disarm anv talk about my being
a detective We agreed that 1 would be
In Malachi Cleery's saloon. in Shenan-
doah. one evening. and that Linden
should enter. made it my business to
have a number Of MolIies in the saloon
and I was talking louder than any one
present when Linden entered. He
walked to the bar and bought a drink.
and then looked over at me.
why. hello. McKenna.' he said.
Il turned and looked at Linden.
Guess don't know you said
oh. you know me all right. Jim You
are Jimmie McKenna. and I knew you in
Buffalo before you pulled off that last
trick he answered with a laugh
II had given myself a bad reputation
for that counted with the Mollies-and
had told about killing a man in Buffalo,
among other things.
"All the others had crowded around as
we talked. Here at last was a man
from the outside world who knew Jim
mie' McKenna. and he was a detective.
He was also confirming my stories of
being bad man. My stock in trade went
away up with the MollieS.
I'VE had a drink together and Linden
managed to get some of the fellows to one
side and say:-"That is a mighty bad man.
Mchenna is sure a dangerous fellow
will drop a man as quick as look at him.
You fellows better look out for him."