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

Mlc1ael, or IMun,' LdWler, d memDer Oh Ine Ddno,
decided that good material had asserted my
bravery by leading IL the fights against coal mines:
One day led an attack on colIerg that knew was
filed with detectives armed with rifles The local
police decided was had uanand tried to arrest me
more than ouce. One day Mr.. Gowen happened to be
near the scene Of hot fight between the police and
the miners, and effort WAS made TO arrest me for
being close to him. OF course he did not let any
one know IL knew me-
"It was on April A. 1874 that became full hedged
Molly, joining the band at Shenandoah, Pa At last
had gained the inner circle of the organization, at
least had been made trusted member. 1t did net
take me long until was made secretary and once
became an oficer seSrets unfOlded to me day
by day. He grew serious he recalled the long list
Of crimes and was lost in thought for time.
There was long list of murders that had not been
cleared. What the best way to get the evidence
against the men high in the band? did not care so
much for the men who personally did the killing-1
wanted the men who did the dlrecting-the leaders.
1.-THE murder of Alexander Rea, mine superintend-
emit had taken place long before was on the scene,
but It had been extra brutal case and found that
many Of the leaders were connected with the execu-
ton of it There were many. in fact decided it
would be worth while to get all the evidence in this
case.
I'VE had our meetings from time to time and
mines or some tradesman. warning would be sent
to the man complained about either to correct his
ways or leave the country. These warnings were In
the form of crudely drawn collins, surrounded by re-
vovers. Once the warnings had been posted the man
would know by long years Of the Molies crimes that
his time had come. The number Of happy homes that
were shattered by these warnings will be known,
of course. But safe in saying that hundreds OF
persons were forced to fee for their lives
EIIal
the plan was carried out in this manner:-Say the
Mollies Of District No. wanted a man put away
request would be sent to District No for man,
or sufficient men, to do job. The would be
selected and would arrive at the place designated,
ready for work. They did this in secret The night
of the murder every Molly in the district In which the
killing was to be done would see that he had strong
alibL He would make it point to be with or near
some non-member Of the organization When District
No 2 had a killing hand they would send to Dis
trict No. or for to do the work for them. In
this way it was always strangers who committed the
deeds
"Time and again Twas tempted to 90 out in the open
and give my evidence. but while might have some
good facts against the band in Pottsvle knew that
the men would continue to carry on the work in
City, Mauch Chunk or score Of other places
Therefore had to be patient and work slowly to get
all of the necessary evidence
mo one will ever know or realize how slow it all
seemed to me. meeting would be held and some
man selected to be killed Sometimes would get u
line on the man who was to do the real killing, but
often my evidence would not hold in court Of law,
knew. What could l do? 1t was impossible to stay
In the background and not give the man chance for
his life and as a result often many close risks
by giving a warning Many were the heated discus
sions at meetings of the Mollies as to who could
be warming the intended victims"
The telephone bell rang and when he had given
hurried yes" over the wire he more took up the
thread Of his story.
ton with my residence among the Mollies. Conner
James was a big, powerful Welshman who had be-
come unpopular with certain of the band. 1t
agreed that he should be killed. All the details
for numbering him were gone over with care and it
was decided that he should be killed at the colliery
where he worked.
THE day and the hour had been set. do not know
that was suspected but 1t occurred to me that an
extra number Of Mollies were about me on the day
the killing was to be done. had tried every way
could think Of to be free for time to get warning
to James but had failed. He had but short time to
live and going about his work, all unthinking
that man was waiting to plant hrl'et in his heart
81 managed at last to get out Of side window In my
....n.onnaAAa~onnnna....~n ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS