Year: 1876

This is the name of a secret society
which has existence in the coal regions Of
Pennsylvania, and is really branch of the
"Ancient Order of Hibernians." The mys.
teries Of the society were explained in these
columns some months since, but not al
fully as recent developments showing
the outrases perpetrated by tho members,
would have made it. They are banded
together for the purpose Of wreaking ven
geance upon any who shall not meet with
their favor. At meetings secretly held,
one or two of the members are delegated
to murder the victim, and if the work is
not carried cut to the letter, those delega-
ted to do the work become the victims of
foul murder themselves. 1t might reason
ably be asked how such state of affairs
could exist in civilized community. This
is possible when the influences of intimi-
dation are so great that not person who
wa. acquainted with the workings of the
society could be induced to reveal anything
through fear of becoming victim to the
tiries of the members. But by skilltuI
management of the detective system, they
have oeen ferreted ont in their haunts, and
revelations made revolving to all the senses
of law and good order.


The trial of six of the members, is now
progressing in Po,tsville, Pennsylvania,
charged with the deliberate murder Of
policeman, whose only ofense was at one
time to effect the arrest of one of their mem-
bers. Other murders equally as atrocious
have been traced to them, and the whole
mystery Of the order has been explained
by detective who Joined them under an
assumed name. The testimony is of the
most startling nature, and exposes men
who occupy high official positions,as being
in full membership, attending the meet
ings, deciding upon the death Of innocent
men, melting riot and disorder, and at the
same time filling positions where they were
called upon.to exercise administrative au-
thority in the laws of the county where
they reside. AfterSthis revelation what
could be expected of an ignorant class of
men, the majority of whom can neither
read nor write. If their actions were sane
toned by men in high official position,
we could hardly expect any more from
them than just what has happened; ac-
tuated to it by the leadership and advice of
county officials.


Upon tho lonely mountain roads that
traverse that section the bodies of men
are found who have fallen under the assas
sins bullet or club. Men are shot down
in the dead hour Of the night in the pres
ence of their families without even an in
timation of what ollense they have been
guilty of. Houses are burned, innocent
women have been cruelty bulchered and
the whole coal region terrorized bv the
horrible outrages Of the very society that
the men on trial in Psttsville were men,
bers of, and to which county officials gave
couptenance.


The most summary way in which the
society and its dark deeds can be de-
stroyed isto hang those who are adiudsed
guilty Of murder, imprison those whe are
known to be members, and for those off,
clals who were Of the order, a life's i'm
prisoument breakin. stones would hardly
be punishmer. commensurate with the
offences they have committed.


Fortunately, for the protection of law
and justice, the Judiciary Of the county
is man Of such iron will and admins
'rative ability as Cyrus L. Pershing, the
Democratic nominee for Governor in the
last Pennsylvania Safe election. The
commissioners Of that county for default
ing were given the fullest extent of the
law by him, and there is every reason to
believe that he will use no stint in filling
up the measure for those now on trial.