In February, McAndrew found himself the victim of a panic regarding the society. He believed that Kerrigan was only the Alpha and that Omega was not far away, and therefore requested the detective to go with him and help destroy every and paper in any manner connected with Shenandoah Division, A. O. H., otherwise the Mollie Maguires. They quickly performed that task, and the test-paper, fabricated record of proceedings, constitution and by-laws, treasurer's receipts and vouchers, with the charter and blank traveling cards, were converted into black and harmless charcoal. The men who had so long carried the affairs of the county with a high hand were now in a state of demoralization. They appreciated that something dreadful lay in their pathway. What goblin shape it might assume they could not say, and it was the more horrible from its very 472indistinctness. It might be a gallows tree. It might be a prison. It might be something more to be feared than either, and at last take the form of a vigilance committee. Whatever it might prove to be, they were determined to have no written evidences of their acts confronting them. In Kerrigan's case, the and papers of Tamaqua branch were at his house when the constables searched it, but so well concealed were they that, after upsetting almost everything, and turning all the beds and mattresses inside out, they were still undiscovered.
The next news Shenandoah Division received was contained in a letter from Linden, written to McKenna, giving the latter a fraternal greeting and saying that, as he, James McKenna, was suspected, he had best make his way to foreign parts. "I may at any moment, have a warrant placed in my hands for your arrest," concluded this precious epistle, "and I really do not wish to be forced to lay hands upon you. If you have flown and I cannot find you, as a natural consequence I will be unable to put irons on my old chum from Buffalo!"
"I'll not budge wan single inch, to save them all from perdition!" exclaimed the operative, after reading the document to McAndrew and the crowd usually congregated at Cleary's. "I am innocent! I'll only be arrested, anyhow! An' if others stand by, why shouldn't I! Linden knows I will remain!"
The Mollies applauded him for this exhibition of mock courage. They would have acted in an entirely different manner had they known that it was precisely the response he had been expected to make to the well-concocted epistle, and that even then the proper papers were ready for McParlan's apprehension and confinement at Mauch Chunk.
Thomas Munley was arrested for the Sanger and Uren murder at about this date, with McAllister, and both were taken to Pottsville, where a hearing on an application for a 473writ of habeas corpus was had, and many of the members of the order were accordingly in the city. The detective found it necessary to confine himself very closely to his room, under medical treatment he was receiving, seldom venturing beyond a block from the boarding-house on Norwegian Street, and was feeling very despondent over the prospect of becoming totally blind unless there soon came a change for the better, when he received a call from Frank McAndrew, then a transient visitor at Pottsville in the interests of the prisoners. After a little friendly conversation, the Shenandoah Bodymaster invited his Secretary to walk with him to the court-house. It would not do to deny the reasonable request, and the two emerged from the dwelling, arm-in-arm.
McAndrew was thoughtful for a moment, then exclaimed:
"Something queer occurred on the cars as I was coming down, this morning!"
"Phat wor that?" inquired McParlan.
"I know it's not true, but I must tell you for the danger there is in it! Some of the boys, Kehoe among the number, were making bets, as we rode along, that you'd appear on the witness stand, to-day, for the Commonwealth—in other words, that you were a secret spy, a detective! There! It's out! But, remember, I don't believe a word about it!"
"Me a spy? Me a detective?" exclaimed McKenna, with a show of virtuous indignation. "I will thank ye to name the man that dare insult me by saying so!"
"There is no occasion for anger!"
"I think, be me sowl, there is occasion for much of it! I won't have such a slander circulated about me! Sure, if ye are the friend ye say ye are, you'll out wid it and give me the man's name!"
McAndrew hesitated a second, and then responded:
"Jack Kehoe was the person!"
"Jack Kehoe? Does he dare do that?"
474"I heard him whispering it to several. But, to the credit of the men of the division, I must say they'll not entertain the suspicion, which has risen in some way since the arrest of Munley and the squealing of Jimmy Kerrigan!"
"Will ye go wid me, an' see Kehoe? I'll knock those words down his throat, or he shall tell me where he got 'em, or take them back!"
After consenting, the two men visited Danny Hughes' place—which at the time was a sort of headquarters for the crew, since Dormer had sold out the Sheridan House and adopted the peaceful calling of a pedler of wares and vegetables, in a wagon, over the hilly country—but Kehoe was not there.
"An' hev ye heard the nonsensical charge they're circulatin' about me?" asked McKenna of the tavern-keeper.
"Yes! and I must confess that it staggered me! I am far from belavin' anything of the sort! Kehoe didn't come down here himself, but sent Mrs. Kehoe to me, wid a message, like. She came into me saloon, she did, an' wanted me, for Jack's sake, to say to every wan interested, to beware of you, Jim McKenna, fur you wor a detective! At laste, that such wor the report; an' that Jack had recaved it from responsible persons! That's all I know of the matter! Tho' Jack Kehoe was to take his oath on the holy cross, I'd tell him he lied! I'm not such a fool as to be scared at a shadow!"
"Thanks for your confidence in me," answered the agent, pleased that Hughes, who was an honest, free-spoken man, should refuse to credit the statement of even King Kehoe. "I'll see this man, soon, an' he'll have to tell me who's the father of this lie, or I'll surely make somebody suffer!"
"I would, if I were in your place," said Hughes. "No person should slander me in that way an' live!"
The case before court resulted in the holding of Munley for trial. This created more indignation, and the murderers began to look about them and inquire if this was the 475State of Pennsylvania that they were in, or some territory where Mollies were unknown? With their surprise was mingled inveterate hate for those who were supposed to be following them for the purpose of their capture and punishment.
The time had now come, with McKenna, which he had so long dreaded. Suspicion, which he knew, from experience with many others, had generally proven fatal, was at last directed upon him. There was nothing for him to do but brazenly face the accusation down. He believed that not a living person knew anything of the actual facts. People might think him a detective, but he had the utmost confidence that they would be unable to bring an item of proof to support their belief. Nobody excepting Mr. Gowen, Mr. Linden, Mr. Franklin, Mr. Bangs, and myself had knowledge that he was James McParlan, the detective. He was confident no other man could learn anything of his business. Bishop Wood, of Philadelphia, was aware of the circumstance that an operative was in the coal region, as before explained, but he had no definite idea of the individual. Even had he been cognizant of his personality he still would have preserved the secret intact. "Then," the detective argued, "it must be merely a chance suspicion, which Jack Kehoe has himself originated, or some other highly imaginative person may have given to him." Come what would, he resolved to go at once to Shenandoah, thence to Girardville, and openly denounce the tale as a falsehood of the deepest dye. Kehoe kept out of the way while he was in Pottsville and the agent could not see him. In the evening of the same day, still accompanied by McAndrew, the agent took cars for Shenandoah. After sleeping there, he went alone to Girardville and marched direct to the house of the County Delegate.
"What is this I hear you are afther sayin' agin me?" inquired the visitor, facing Kehoe, who was in his own bar waiting upon customers when he entered, but the strangers 476having gone, the two men being quite alone at the time. "Tell me what you have been spreadin' over the country about me!"
"I have told that you are not what you seem, but a detective; an' I heard it some time ago!" Then Kehoe laughed a cynical laugh, and added: "But I don't believe a word of the yarn!"
He was evidently ill at ease and wanted to conciliate the heated individual before him, whose flushed face and uneasy movements indicated more than a usual degree of excitement, and he had no desire that the interview should end in a personal disturbance.
"I want to know, Misther Kehoe, who is goin' to prove this assertion! Nobody can prove it, fur it is a downright lie! You may appoint a trial fur me before the society! I'll be there, an' let me stand forninst the thafe of the worruld who dare report me as an informer! Let the order judge me! An' if I find who is lyin' about me, it'll go hard wid him! I'll shoot the scoundrel, if I hang fur it!"
And McKenna made considerable bluster, thumped the counter with the butts of two revolvers, which he held in his hands and almost convinced Kehoe himself that he was not acting a part in his denials of the grave charge. At last the County Delegate informed McKenna that a conductor on the Reading Railr while he was riding from Ashland, at least when between Ashland and Girardville, had asked him, Kehoe, into the baggage car and inquired if he had seen McKenna lately, and added that he, the conductor, had heard that he was a detective. The reply that Kehoe made was not given.
"We'll have some proof of this!" exclaimed the agent, having become more cool as the circumstance was detailed.
Subsequently Kehoe, who acted as though he discredited the rumor, agreed to give McKenna a hearing before a convention of Bodymasters, and, saying that, as he was himself 477rather nervous, the detective should make the necessary notices, signing the County Delegate's name to them. To this McKenna agreed, and, obtaining stamped envelopes and stationery, went upstairs to the family apartment, where he found Mrs. Kehoe with her children, and, sitting at the table between the two front windows, he commenced writing. But he found his own fingers not in the exact plight to do duty in producing readable penmanship. Persevering, however, he managed to get ready a few of the needed letters. Mrs. Kehoe received him pleasantly, as she always had. In a little while Kehoe, himself, left the bar and visited the sitting-room. He did not remain many minutes, but returned to his business below. Presently the detective heard his footsteps again ascending the staircase. When Kehoe entered the apartment the second time his face was of a more sickly color than usual and his hand trembled perceptibly as he passed a glass of liquor to the operative.
"This will steady your nerves," said Kehoe.
The tumbler and contents were accepted by McKenna. Saying he would taste of it soon, he thanked the agitated saloon-keeper and resumed work on his stack of letters. Mrs. Kehoe looked up inquiringly, as she continued her sewing, and the little girl, who had been playing with a ball and her pet kitten, gazed wonderingly upon Kehoe as he turned on his heel and journeyed down stairs again. McKenna did not particularly like the expression of Jack Kehoe's naturally smiling countenance. He pondered the circumstance for a moment and then, saying that the fumes of liquor, under certain conditions, made him ill, shoved the goblet from him with a preoccupied air and went on with his writing. He was in such haste to complete his work and place the letters, all enveloped, sealed, and directed in Kehoe's hands, that he quite forgot to imbibe the spirits, something Mrs. Kehoe had never observed in him before. He touched not a single drop to his lips.
478It struck the mind of the operative, while he wrote, that Kehoe really believed in his guilt and had determined to silently and quietly put him out of the way with poison, hence he had decided to forego the potion so kindly brought to him. He might have been over-fearful of treachery, at that time, and without just cause, but quickly following events convinced him that he was not, and never could be, too cautious while dealing with Jack Kehoe. Had Mrs. Kehoe given him the beverage with her own hand, he would have swallowed it without a suspicion, as he knew that she was with him in not crediting what they said to his disparagement, and her true womanly nature would not permit her to connive at his murder, even had he been her worst enemy.
The date mentioned for the proposed convention was about the first or second of March, the place, Ferguson's Hall, in Shenandoah.
When the work of getting ready the notices was properly finished, the result was shown to Kehoe. He approved and sealed the envelopes. They were given into his charge for deposit in the mail, and he went out, ostensibly to drop them in the box at the post-office.
McKenna remained at the Emerald House all night, sleeping with his revolver close by his side in the bed, fixed for use, and, not having been disturbed, early the ensuing morning took car and returned to Pottsville.
The report detailing these circumstances was of the utmost interest to me. I considered well the position in which the young man was placed, and consented, for his own sake, as well as for the good of the Company and the general public, that he should be arrested and thrown into prison. But, before the order could be carried out, the necessity giving rise to it had passed away.
Beside Kehoe, a number of other members of the organization informed McKenna that they had heard he was a 479detective, Pat Butler, of Loss Creek, saying some of his men were early let into the secret and were very earnest in making a demand to have the matter promptly and properly considered.
"I hev the decided advantage of them in that," returned the operative, "fur haven't I already demanded and secured the calling of a county convention, to take action on me case? I have took early action on the matter by meself! Sure, an' if there's such a thing as justice in the State, I'll hev the matin' an' a fair trial on them villainous charges!"
Butler hoped he might come through all right, but was free to say things appeared very stormy, kindly advising the Shenandoah Mollie to keep an eye out for those who would seek to end the trouble easily by killing the one suspected, thus saving the formality of an investigation. Butler showed that he knew the Mollies thoroughly.
Saturday, the 26th of February, Kehoe made his appearance in Pottsville, in company with his brother-in-law, Manus O'Donnell, and the detective met the County Delegate again at Danny Hughes' house. Jack was full of business, having visited the city, as he said, to retain John W. Ryon, Esq., for the defense of McAllister, held with Munley for the murder of Sanger. There was not much transpired in the way of conversation between the King of the Mollies and the suspected man, Kehoe evidently being indignant with his former favorite that he had given him further trouble and work by refusing his recent sweet drop of poteen at Girardville.
In the afternoon the two came together once more.
"What is the news, now?" asked McKenna.
"The gettin' of a lawyer for McAllister is goin' to cost me two hundred dollars, sure," was the reply, "an' there is worse news nor that! I learn there are twenty-five hundred men banded together in this country for the purpose of prosecuting the Ancient Order, an' there is positive proof 480that we have detectives in our midst. These detectives even gets money to go aroun' an' spend among us, an' find out all our secrets, an' will soon turn around an' send us, some of us, to the penitentiary or hang us up by the neck! That's news, isn't it?"
"True to ye, that is, an' bad news—sorry news enough! There has been somethin' of the same sort in me own mind for these many wakes. Somethin' crooked is surely goin' on, in wan place or another, an' that's the raison I'm doubly cautious where I goes; or what I says! But who tells ye these onpleasant things the day?"
"I got them from John W. Ryon, this time," answered the County Delegate. "That's the very man! He's jist afther tellin' me at his own private office!"
There was no call for the denial of this. It did not apply directly to himself, and McKenna was content with the remark that it was possible Ryon told the truth. He knew, at all events, something was wrong in the coal region, or there could not be so many arrests. Whence came the difficulty it was not his province to explain. One thing he might do, and he did it, which was to again deny any claim to the despicable title of informer. Kehoe left the saloon in a few minutes, venturing nothing in answer to the last words uttered by his late associate, but with a sneer of disbelief on his face, as though to say he was convinced of the fact that there was a screw loose in the Mollie machinery, somewhere, and he entertained the belief that, if McKenna did not know where it was, nobody in the country could.
Time rolled around and the day preceding the one on which Kehoe had promised the convention to try McKenna arrived. During the forenoon the County Delegate once more appeared in Pottsville, and the accuser and accused again met in Danny Hughes' saloon, seemingly on fair terms with each other, exchanging civilities in a rather 481distant but not unfriendly manner, and enjoying a cigar in company.
"Are ye goin' up to Shenandoah this evenin'?" inquired Kehoe, carelessly.
"Yes! I'm almost ready now," answered McKenna, "an' I don't intind missing me appearance at the convention for me trial, to-morrow!"
"That's right!"
Kehoe, after this, said he would see McKenna later in the day and they could take the train together. It was his hour for an interview with Ryon. He mentioned, incidentally, that his wife was in the city, seeing some friends.
The detective made his report to the Agency, as usual, for the day, spoke of encountering the County Delegate, and informed Mr. Franklin that he was, at a certain hour the same evening, to start for Shenandoah. After mailing this, he returned to Hughes' place and particularly inquired for Kehoe. No person remembered seeing him after the conversation with McKenna, held some hours earlier.
Before nightfall the officer found himself in company with a man named Mullen, residing in the vicinity of Tuscarora. He had heard the tale concerning the detective business, and was fearful that, should there be any truth in it—of which he could not judge—there might be danger in having a convention at Shenandoah. For his part, he had done nothing wrong, and was therefore not afraid, but he was lately listening to the talk of some others, who readily concluded that McKenna merely wanted to get the officers and Bodymasters crowded together, at Ferguson's Hall, in Shenandoah, when he could have the whole band arrested by the Coal and Iron Police.
McKenna scouted the idea. All he wanted was a hearing. He did not care where it occurred. Using his best endeavors, he tried to convince Mullen that such a foolish scheme would be illegal, as well as impossible, even though he had 482the desire to execute it, which he had not. Mullen, at last, seemed to be convinced of the honesty of the accused Mollie's purpose in asking for a trial, and said he would see how many of the officials he could cause to arrive at the same understanding.
Before starting for Shenandoah, the accused sought out and held a short interview with Linden, telling him, for his sake, not to have one of his policemen in Shenandoah on the morrow and to keep out of the city himself. A contrary course, he thought, would raise suspicions that Mullen's friends were correct in their belief. Much against his inclination, Linden promised compliance. He knew McKenna was running a great risk, and it would have suited him better to be quite near, for his protection.
"I believe I can fight them right through and make them believe that I am no detective!" said McKenna.
"Very well! Do as you please," returned the Captain, but I fear they will not be convinced! If you come away with your life, you'll do better than I expect!"
"I am pretty well prepared against surprises," were the last words of McKenna, "and if they don't overpower me, or kill me with a shot from behind, I'll get along all correct!"
The separation which ensued was not without feeling, as, despite his defiant air and confident words, McParlan was not perfectly sure that he would ever meet his partner again. That night he started for Shenandoah on the late train, but saw nothing of the County Delegate.
McParlan was in the smoking-car, just before reaching Mahanoy City, when Manus O'Donnell came to him with word that Mrs. Kehoe was in the ladies' car and desired to see and speak with him. He waited until the train stopped, then emerged from his coach and went to the rear, entering the one the wife of Kehoe occupied. After the usual salutations he inquired where Jack was, that he had not met him 483and journeyed in his company, according to previous agreement. She believed he had gone up to Frackville on the afternoon train, while she had been to Tamaqua to see her mother. Returning to his own seat the young man began to deliberate. There was certainly something suspicious in the actions of his old associate—something he could not account for—and he made a mental resolution to be very careful of himself. Not that he knew anything particularly dangerous immediately threatening, but he was suspected, and the Mollies usually put suspected persons where they could do no harm. If they would give him a fair trial, as they were in duty bound, he thought he would move along safely. But Kehoe's failure to meet him and going to another place looked to him, under the circumstances, and in his excited mental condition, as though double dealing was going on. It would do no harm to be circumspect, hence, when the train slackened its speed and arrived at a certain crossing, where he had long been in the habit of alighting, it being a shorter route to his boarding-house, the detective kept his place, thought he saw—but was not sure of seeing—several men standing by the track, and rode on until the passenger depot was reached. Kehoe had told him to be sure to be up that night. Was it possible some harm was then intended? Without misadventure, he alighted, looked about the depot building, and saw no one. He had taken pains to send up word to McAndrew and his friends that he would be there by the evening express. For a long time, whenever he was expected, there would be from three to half a dozen of the members of his division ready in waiting to meet and give him welcome. On this particular occasion not a man sent him greeting, not a friend made his appearance at the platform. But he thought, as he walked up the street, this might have been accidental, or his letters from Pottsville had possibly miscarried or been delayed. It was evident he was an unexpected or an 484unwelcome visitor. Which was it? Many knew he was to be up there that night. But not a person was at hand to ask him the news or go with him to take a drink. Something warned him all this was caused by a change of feeling on the part of his acquaintances.
As he moved through the town he did not seem as secure as he would have felt in his own room at the Agency, in Philadelphia; but he carried on his person two ld revolvers, his nerves were steady and his mind on the alert for an attack. He met some citizens, but no old acquaintances who were members of the organization.
When he reached James McHugh's saloon, he thought, as he was a member, he would speak with the proprietor. They had always been tolerably good friends. McHugh was in front of his door and answered McKenna, asking him to enter the bar-room, which he did.
"Will you have something?" said McHugh.
"I don't mind taking a bottle of porter!" answered the agent. This was an unexpected response, as McKenna was noted for seldom touching any of the weaker fluids, but McHugh produced the bottle and fumbled about the cork excitedly, his face turning as white as a sheet meanwhile.
"An' phat is the matther wid ye, Jim McHugh?" inquired the visitor. "Hev ye got the shakin' ager, been sick, or wor ye drunk last night, or what?"
"Oh, it's only because I'm chilled through, standin' outside!" was the answer.
"Did ye hear what the divils hev ben tellin' of me?"
"Yes, McKenna, I have; but, between you an' I, there's no truth in the stories! I hope you'll come out all right, an' I'll be around to-morrow, to see what's done at the convention!"
It struck the detective that McHugh had not exactly expected to meet him in his house that night. Could it be that a plan already made for killing him had fallen through? 485But banishing all such ideas he left the saloon and kept on toward McAndrew's house. Passing the Lehigh depot he met another friend, Mike McDermott by name, who was also a member of his division and with whom he had always been well disposed and rather friendly. That night, after merely recognizing the former Secretary, McDermott hardly spoke, and passed along very quickly.
Just across the street from him McKenna now saw Edward Sweeney, another Mollie, with whom he had been quite intimate since his arrival in town.
"Is that you, Sweeney?" said McKenna.
"Yes! It is me!" was the answer. Sweeney was standing just near a lamp-post, but he crossed the street and joined the agent, who inquired:
"Have you seen McAndrew the night?"
"Yes, I have seen him!"
"How long since?"
"Not above an hour!"
"Do you think he's already gone to bed?"
"I guess not!"
Sweeney did not seem greatly inclined to talk, but continued to stop by McKenna's side, only once or twice dropping a step or two in the rear. Sweeney was a bad man. He did not know fear. McKenna had once seen him walk up to a party who was drunk and threatening to kill everybody, and boldly take the man's gun away from him. If a job had to be done Sweeney was just the person who might be selected to do it.
"I say, Sweeney," exclaimed the operative, "I've had so much trouble wid me eyes, lately, that they are none of the best and I don't see very well! Will ye be kind enough to go on ahead and I can follow you widout danger of runnin' in the gutther or falling through these holes in the pavement!"
"Certainly!" said Sweeney, and he walked before the 486operative, who made sure to keep him at the front, from that time until they arrived at McAndrew's place. So certain was McParlan that Sweeney meant him harm that he had fully determined, if the man turned suddenly, to shoot him down in his tracks. But his companion did not look around. When McAndrew's house was reached a man named Grady was posted outside and Doyle standing in the yard. They evidently expected him to arrive, and having waited his coming had put a sentinel at the gate and another by the door. Truly, this was showing him altogether too much consideration. It made him uncomfortable. He did not like it. There was something in it favoring the dark and mysterious.
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