M I'iMriSlI'Mt'Wy
msi 1 i ram mmm 1 m m tm
tMcPIKE, Editor and Publisher.
'he is a freeman whom the truth makes free, axd all are slaves BESIDE."
Terms, S2 per year, In advance.
oi.i'Mi-; xr.
EBEXSBURG, PA., FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1877.
r j 1 it
FOR THE
AGAINST NATIONAL FRAUD
J". I
.
'.il J'
;ti
.: nil.
A'
it who was not fleet ed ly the peo
'.,;.;n Mi:!iirnritt'f! at Washington
,',..M3rf ft a ml. wo call upon lion
,,l 1 .-(Hi'' to rally together in a de
1 1 .'. r-lrii'iit effort fur the correc
' Vr at wioiur ami for the punish
guilty. ti he enforced through the
.:-i.r,-i ni'i.ti tlu- r!rht of self-gtnv-
r T 5 i : ' : 1 1 1 I'.oi moo o int-sent
in. inly rr-pnnsiblo ; but the
v .. 1 lllri' 1 '! r'niir 'i such nt cull
. .,, iniilv i m rci.-iiiK the power of
,,,ri upon such authority, are
. nn'lv than Ihey who conceived
Vitus unparalleled political 5iv!n-
; ;i.-nt President nnd his advlvrs
t n t forsake the ancient ways
1 patty, mid having invited a
f.inin-V K- tiel to occupy one
1 Tni" i '.ii't iti -cs iii Tlic Cabinet,
... : :, :.') til.- honest public senti--,i,:ht'
tin I'ocstow ill of ollicr-9
, i;ih' .-. -leu; of (Jovotntiient
, i., .1 : 1 1 i unals, hopittj thus
, 1,1 1 iiji' net the work botrtiti in
' .. -amo time, with hypocritical
1; i :i ir tin- civil siTuci-, they
I N Mtli-. rn theorists, to the
:rf.ii crime in which this A tmiii
.. ; i:.r.i may be overlooked and
. '. i--mr!er scheme, ns irnlnst the
(A. t, . t ( in. in it originated, we call
, , ... ... ; 1 i ..inmeii" e immediately a
... 1 i!i-iiTi s and pertinacious.
.. 1 i. :n truit Iroui hc-iimiimr to the
f -I;. !l never he found or
. n, li.'iy crus.ide; and we invite
r :. rn in v. ! iju.it ter to join in the
., ; ;v . ..' and render a body of
. ; m.ij!- tiie same number a
ii 1 1 iti.'-iis v ho, in Novcm
: :' r r..:tii.. ! .). Titden for Prest
. ; 11 1 - t'-' that We shrill continue
.,- TP" 1 t. t- r 'nteiU fur linn-r-
!.t.-.. i c..:.u:uy, and justice in
-f -. iv.; th.it ue chhU still endeavor
. t . iv eviistilt ouv rolutnns
,. ; - i ,; . and trust worthy c
.! n nt , 'its arid news frotr. ev-ry
" t; le 1 1 1 1 m Wrtiihintr'on ct
,r i i-'. :il cii-itiiiue t be fuH,
.).!! if.
r tin .,ai: SI'.V is"5eenta month,
. : ;.ii'i : or, with the Sunday
.:. j.-i'r.
(.litinti. eijfht p;u?e3, Jalone, is
-. :' i: l.
'H.Kl.V rx. e!cnt T'-'e. Is tl a
1 :. Mid every person who Fends
r r-' ri!. rs trm any one place
!n cue copy for hitnseif with-
cw York City.
reat Reduction
FULI.SKTFORSO.OO
:. ftuincy A. Scott'vS,
rrsnu ua ;u, pa.
; 1 -1 1. r,! !:il Mdal an I !Hitm over
: ' - ! :r. 1 ! r ir..rJ li.is iti cn lr.
' r 1 wi 1 hrity. and I hi! pm.
1 , ..- . , . 1 they got '.t tJ'at t hey
-iii:. :,: r.
' .1 F F. VICRYIIODY TO
' nrriicki to
'.' 'jrixcy a. SffftTT
Ai7..!' v Tin: in Tin: Til
"irnnrr r, ix
- Mixnl.rTKLY HA FN
i.v.;s riu-: tic,
" IT f Till t)XJ Y OXE
iy FX IS TUXCIJ,
' ':t''. o'lire eittttldenco by old
"" ' ' :,.. j-i in rvery
I.M..11 ..t lieal th.
3THER DEATH FROM
LAUGHING CA
'J 1 ll.irrim. a firom (if SO years
' i --:it llnxhtnd. lately die from
I.' ' 1 1 n i 1 i 4 Hi wah in pcrleet
""" mi. -st liizcs very rapidly
,. J '' ni.!ai:..r. two teauy.
-1 :.
jf-T D03R tojhe POST-OFFICE.
Ilt:iliiiv --tv?-?.
CPPtR & SHF.ET-IKON WARE
.v lVeri r.c..ip nf thpnew-
! , iii.lt hit ri II iifh
-' -. ,r i,.. J'... and nearly
hi t 1 .,1 . 1 in. u ;,i-i i'uer if
' ' "' v t i ii' a 1 r I 'in-1 lU'l1 nil
' 1 x ' ' i'l'li!! 1 SUKKT.I ltdN
: ,: w !( i'ij-i!iIied to
. . ' '' I ' 'iiu pi i-es.
!" 'T'ose, 10 keep a full
' 'i. ' Mt ,r
and Heating Stoves
I'i'i i ed delimits.
1 'l'H-l.Vt; nimle to order
t i ' le.ieiil ai-t ure a ml uut
1 i" "i'!.l ly ut Ictnlt ii to.
1 '.'. i;l h' iI'.iii- i'i-vit mi'l
' '! V l. and V. "ti: s.ld
' ' iiTin a. t' rjitiiltiy !mi
! in p. ice. . cult 1 ii nmiee
."jf is t "-ieet i nil y solici-
j a 11 1 inx ti remler en-
V M.IK I.C1 ItlNfiEU.
I -.".-tl'.
or
n
' v
(.!
' . WfMiLK.y M I' A y Y
' iii in;ui 11 l.i." 11 re to rdT
1 ' -.Mi make lur OOLj,
" li; het market priee,
-' !! w ti tt li w:tiiu: will FHin
til 1 In- citinty. Tiie
.y ii 1 ,M well knuwii
'ti. mi'l :n wp are now run-
1 km i-.mvki:. tliern will l-e
1 1' luit; ut wi)l Ki:iit or bro't
- " liii'j. Fiiilins and Dyeing
; ' "rkiiiaiiliko manner
. ' "I'' rue.
1 1-7.-. ;l.
iiiiilili: ! fill KS
,';!in Street, Johnstown.
r , ' ;v" " -JUT-?;'
y Italian and Ali! )
'., I :,, v""r- i""1 i-liie- I '1,1 ' '
,,,X leiifn and
':-", rVT',r""j olieitedfi'-
1
i';.':1 "'-very ..w.
"i- tl'.
11
5
J'H. 1'AltKK.
n. t. o'rittEL.
nFRin .
t . m mm m
"i BSMSSTK MARBLE!
''I'MU .'"""'P'ly and PatMfaetorilj,
( -l,e:W...-t. (4-1-J tl.)
'r,--l. , U'i,ON. Klnt.bur?, r.
;V';.' r ''t "i !',TW "' 00" HiKh
tf ' of I51air Mouse.
SHERIFF'S SALES.
rJ? r'tteu,'KT'nn" 8"ed out of the
h?lirt C '.'"A"0!1 1 U'M9 of Cambria eonnty and
Mile, at the hotel or Conrad Raab, in Johnstown,
On Saturday, July 7th, 1877,
at I o flock, I. Mt. the following real estate
to wit :
All the rltfht, title and Interest of Alexandar
1 7'",?h.,?"ur- r- ,n 1,11,1 t,)a lot "ground ,itoato
le Lvn enimaiiah I rontrh. t Cambria countv.
1 ... trontcd on the nttth by Kailroad trei;t. and
havinic lotol .laeob Kmnheiyer .in.l West otrcet
on the north, nnd an nllov on the eat, havlnir
hereon erected a two story house and stable, how
n 1 1 m oecupnney f a lex. 1). Ooti lmour. Taken
in excrntion ana to be sold at the suit of Ur O
Kmerson.
Also all the riirht, title ami Interest of Frank
.V11 ,,f' in n l to a lot of ground situate
in the Third ward. Johnstown ior.iiuli, Cambria
county Fa., frontintr on Hroa.l street adjoining
lot fit hart. Kearney on the east and lot ot t'lias
iaftwrlirht on the w. t.and running back to Pearl
street, havii'tr therenn erected two twoi-torv frnme
houses, now in thu oeeupancy oi J rank Me:nl
lou.'h laki'ti in exeeutton ami t le sdd at tlio
suit of .lurch Trt-ns. for u-o of M. V. Keim ft Co
Also, all the riiit. title and interest of John
fees, ot, in and to a pieee or parcel of land situate
tn Itienlitnd lownliij. t'ntnlirla countv. Pa ad
.lornttm lands of Panief Weaver, (loorie Portrait,
and ethers. r:mtaini;i 15 ai-res, more or less lmv
inir thereon ere?te. one-arvi-a-half story frame
bonne and a one story house ami stable, now in
the occupancy id .l...n Fees. Tsken in execution
and to be. sold at the fult of M. W, Keim & Co.
At.si. all I tit. riurht. title and Interest of John
ITuoner, r, in ami to a lot oi ground situate in tiie
rotir.h ward. Johnstown horoiiiih. Cainhria cortn
tv. Pa., irontinon Pine street, a ijoinintr he of
Jacob Horner, jr.. on the north and lands of heirs
or Jacob Horner, sr.. ducea-'.'.l, on the south run
ning back 120 r;-et to nn nllev, having tliereon
erected a two story plank house, now in the oecu
pnney ol John Hul'jier. Taken in execution and
to lie sold at the suit or Andrew (iick.
Twims tiF Sai.k. -One-third of the purchase
money to lie pud when liie piopeitv iti knock
ed down, and the remaining two-t birds on con
firmation of the deed.
JOHN" UVAV. Sheriff.
Sheriff's Office, Ebensburj,', June 16, 177.
she :rifpss ales!
1 V virttie of euudry writs of Firm Fnr.it
1 and V r.D'Vitioni Kpotirtx, Issued nut of the
Court of Common Pi. -as f Cumbria county
Hint to me directed, there will tie exposed to
Public Saies at the Court House in Ebensburnr,
On Tuesday, July ICth, !877,
at 1 o'rlork, 1. .n., the rollowitirf real estate,
to wit :
All the Tlsrht, title and lutcret of Peter Woeit
ley. of in and to a pleee er parcel of land situate
in Chest township, Cambria cirCr.fy. Pa., ailjoin
intc lands of Margaret Anhcraft, Peter llyfnes,
and others, containing hi acres, more or less, about
?j acres ol which ere cleared, havinic thereon
cectcd a two story losr house and a lojt barn, now
in the ocenpancy" ot Peter Woodley. Taken in
execution and to he soli" at the suit of Win. Me
'ulty. lor use of JoliTi Albcrter, now for use of
Joseph A lhcrtcr.
.i.so. all the vfyrlit. Wtle and interest of Tenu?
Heeher. of. in and to a piece or parcel of land sit
uate In (tallitxin township. Cambria county. Pa.,
adjoining lands of Akucs liurk, Henry Sanker.
and others, containitm 5) acres, mure or less, about
'ib ftcrcs of wliich are cleared, having thereon
fcret-'teifa two story plank house ami a lojy liarn,
now In the occupancy of Martin Seymour. Taken
in execution and tu be sold ut the suit of Charles
Slilier.
Tkkms or Sai.k. One-third of the purchase
money to tie imld when the property is knocked
down, and the remaiiiiiiK two-thirds upon con
firmaiion of the Heed.
JOHN' It VAN. Sheriff.
Sheriff' Office, Ehensbui , June hi. l.;T.
FOR
tides, k.
mciiibiUDo. lunt
IN a.hlition to a full line of Hrucs, Medicines,
ite.. the nndersiiiied keep on hand a la rife, va
ried and elegant issorltr.ent ot
rerfumery, Toilet and Washing Soaps,
Pure Flavoring Kxlracts, Essences of all kind,
pure Spices Plank I took v. Pocket and Pass Hooks,
Stat ionerv, Writinv Fluid. Hl.iek and Ked Inks,
Pens, Peiieils and Pen Holders. Hibles. Prayer
Hooks. Hymn Hooks, ls., inc., together with a
fixi: stock or ,n:tri:Liir,
Tooth. Hair. ?hoe. Sciuhand Piistiiw Hrnshg,
Combs of all kind. Tnba-eo. :ijars. Pipes. Olass
ware. Iamps. Iauip tjliiiniieys. and hundreds of
other articles needless to mention ail of which
will be sold at the
Very Lowest Prlce3 for Cash.
LEMMON & MURRAY.
FJiensburjr, June 8, ifll.
G
KAWFOttl) HOUSK,
KnENsnrRf,
PA.
tr. rv..r nn,A rnnrn Inlcnn ixiSscssion of the well
known Crawford House in Kbensburir, which ho
lia refitted Bti'l refurnisiicd in tomI style, and
Inlend-" hereafter tn conduct on strict temperance
principles, the subscriber enrm-stly solicits tho
patronage o, those who may visit the county seat
ett hi ron business or pleasure, nil whom he pledges
hlm-ell to .nieriain oi it'e best possible manner
and til i lie iowi-u possible prloc. Kvcelletit necoin
noxlai'ons mil !-. nrnii.eil to summer boarders.
Who will mid the Crawford" ;! pleasant anil eoon
omical p.aee at -w'fok'u.
Ebenslmrif. Aprd -", lb77.
AHM I'OR SATJ:. The un.lcr
siKiieil oiI'"r.H for salo .it great l.aipain
his tine Farm in 'arrell towns. !p. mrnienj u""
as i lie i-roprrtvof Stephen Hu k. dee d. contain
In III Acre' nnd allowance, about MM. Acres
of n Inch nro cleared, under h-nee, and in a rcason-
at,(. ,., I ,u it ivai ion woli loeniyorp'irc v.ftter
In I'e.i'- - I'Vftv Held. The improvements ..insist
ol a Frame I nvw :i2.v:'3 .i Fraim Hank H.irn atlxri.
avo.Ml Sle.-1 and m tier ( lul t'H i Id iiir.s. '1 lie pro
perly wiii l eM'M a'toireiher or in parts as pur
chasers may desire. Fit AM. Is A. HICK.
Carroll 'l"p.. June J, ls77.-'-ni."
F
r - . - .kiba u Ha err tt t t
ItllKIlt leioedy ol the trvslpe """'M
i -rr.-t.ilH, I l'-rs, B.ii. I'linples and all blnod dis- g
i -i . - fut rrtwr. IOti,t fail to Pi
t'riee $1. If year (inmeist don't keep it, etet for
I o i V SKI. I. Kit" ( '.. I rnp'i, I -ill!.nnr!t, ra.
' W. n.-'t r-,r r. s-t'rr. c, ''t - ni. ej
SOI-1 HV AIJi nici wiii.i. t '
EX IX' UTO It'S NOT! CK.
K-tate of J MF 15YUVF, iec .1.
Notice is lo rebv Kiven that letters Tetamcn
tnrv to the est ite'ol James Hyme. lal e of Carroll
township. Cambria couniy. I'.l.. deceased hav.m?
been i dulv irranted to the undersigned All .persons
indebted'lo said estnte will pleasn make immedi
ate payment, nnd those bavin claims or dertian. Is
azain-t the same will present them properly au
thenticated for sett lemon! withoir delay.
111 sYLVliSTK.It HYIi.NE, Executor.
Carroll Twp . June 177. Ot.
I. not easily earned In these times, but
Pf I I it can be made in three months' by any
I I I uno of either sex. in any pari of. the couti
Uf I I try who is willing u work steadily at
the employment which wo furnish. on need not
lie awaV Ir-m home over niul.t. ou can trive
your wi.oletimo tolho work, or only your spare
I ments. U costs no.hi.iK to try the business.
Term "and out fit lr-e. Address at once H.
M A txKT x Co., Portland, Maine. t3-'3.-.y.
WANTKD FAKMS TO SELTi.
linv hnmlreilsof applicants for
FAKMS iust now. Also, remable ciiy properties
to exc'hanlre tor Farms H undre-Is id people crowd
Into mr office, and I ennno: net sufficient
J have lots of customers lor (rood improvements
all cash. Write or call as soon as possible, ami. ir
not too btrdi-dn.t. 1 will o and s e t he prop-rty
fi M. JAMF.S. Farm Aaency. 134 Sunt n ttelil St.,
I'ittsburgh, near the Posi-oltice. 12--J3. ly.l
00I IJKKFI Having recently
purtliawHl BHveral lieail of line FAT
STF.KKS. which were brouaht rrom tho State ot
Indiana. 1 am prepared to tiirnisn " j"""'
with the nrT bkbk ever ottered for sale In tnij
idace tlhoijo Steak, li cents per lb. ; Steak and
Wst. 12 CU. per lb. jf )sl.pl OUTWALD.
Kbensburir, March 30, l7.-tf.
Condition of Society in the Coal Regions.
WHERE A MOTIVE FOR THE MOLLY MAGUIRE
MURDERS CAN BE FOUND ANTAGON
ISMS OF CAPITAL AND LAROR OS
TRACISM OF THE IRISH MINER.
The following letter appeared in the N.
Y. Herald a few days ago over the signa
tures of Uev. Fathers McDermott andSher
idan, two clergymen whom the Ashland
Advocate assures us are well and favorably
Jitiowu throughout the anthracite coal re
gions :
PottsVii.le. Juno 20, 1S77,
Whero murder is shown to have been de
liberate, where the murderer has time to
calmly consider, no attempt, even in the
comts of law, has ever been made to justify
the crime or exenso on any pica the crimi
nal. No matter hat the provocation, no
matter how great the injury, all men have
righily agreed that death and its conse
quences aio penalties too great for the in
dividual to inflict ; for such punishment
must ever exceed ihe offence, and murder,
of its nature, is an irreparable injury. To
inflict such a punishment is a prerogative
which God has reserved to Himself, He
alone can determine in mercy and justice
when the measure of iniquity which calls
for such condign punishment has been filled
ip Thereason God has reserved this right
to Himself and those legally delegated to
bear the sword of justice is Keen from the
lamentable consequences which would nat
urally flow from the usurpat ion of this pre
rogative by Individuals. Apart from tho
hatreds, de6h'csof revenge, retaliations and
anarchy that would prevail in society, daily
would be Feen the heartrending sorrows
ami miseries, far retching in their conse
quences, which are by murder inflicted up
on the friends and families of its victims
fathers and mothers, wives and children
cruelly deprived of those whose duty and
piivilege it sas to love and support them.
If this is viewed fiom a Christian stand
point a calamity may appear the possibility
of which makes men shudder. Generally
the mutderer hurries his vietiniut of this
world without warning, without time to
beg for mercy or pardon. If so many de
vou'ly wish that time be given thctn to pie
pare for death if so few aie prepared to bo
ushered instantly into the presence of the
living God what a fearful crime may the
murderer commit against the f-oul of his
victim. If a man thus unexpectedly de
prived of life be in sin an immortal soul is
lost forever one that had it been permitted
to live might have repented and died an
heir to heaven. Thus are revealed the con
sequences hero and hereafter of the awful
crime of murder.
THE MU1IDKKB IN THE COAL REGIONS.
Tho murders committed by tho Ancient
Order of Hibernians in the cra! regions
have been well planned assassinations; the
perpetrators of these crimes were not blind
ly hurried on by their personal grievances;
time .sufficient elapsed between their selec
tion and their perpetration of the hellish
deeds toenablo them to realize th enormity
of tho crimes they had been appointed to
commit. If for ordinary murder there may
not le the color of an excuse, for these there
can bo nothing but denunciation. The con
vie iott of every Ancient Order of Hibernian
murderer was an end to be devoutly wished
and prayed for. Any sympathy that would
set free any one whose moral guilt had been
legally established would bo cruelty to the
Community. Since these murders were sys
tematically compassed by an organized
band, nn acquittal of the guilty would have
emboldened the assassins ; hence their ac
quittal could only be regarded in the light
of a public calamity. Their conviction was
an end that all must confess was necessary
by lawful means to secure, though many
may think some of the means made use of
to attain that end were unfair. The An
cient Order of Hibernian murders bear evi
dence of atrocity which leads men to regard
them as the effects of wantonness, of total
disregard for human life, of pure devifish
ness. "To murder men they had never
seen" the tnui deters and their victims
being in most cases unknown to each other
there could be no personal motive impel
ling them Ut redress in a barbarous manner
real or fancied wrongs. The apparently
total absence of motive is Ihe severest con
demnation of the criminals, for, say the
people, they had no motive. If they had
(suffered injury at the hands of their vic
tims there might be some explanation of
their crimes; their crimes might at least bo
understood, and, however wicked, might
be accounted human, whereas they are di
abolical. MOTIVES FOR THE MURDERS.
"There was no motive." This, however
illogical, is the conclusion which motn men
re;ich after reading the "Mollie trials."
There is no effect w ithout a cause, however
difficult it may be to trace it to its cause,
however difficult it may be to make it clear
that such a cause has produced such an ef
fect. If, for instance, there be a miasma
in the air, w hose existence is made known
only by its noxious effects, its sonrce must
be iooked for in the surrounding soil, how
ever innocent the earth may appear in that
vicinity. A great conflagration cannot be
ascribed to a match ; combustible material
also must have been '.here. No tnal ter how
wicked men may become, how short sight
ed their vision or perveitcd their intelli
gence, from their point of view at least
there is method in their madness. The
minders in the coal regions are not effects
without cause, nor have they been perpe
trated without some motive, however repre
hensible it may be.
What rendered possible crimes which
have shocked humanity? This is an impor
tant question and may well claim the atten
tion of the people of the coal regions. The
object of this inquiry is to discover the cir
cumstances and conditions of society which
made these ctimcs possible. It may be
well just here to warn the reader against a
mistake he is likely to fall into, viz: to con
sider this investigation a justification. To
explain is not to excuse, much less to jus
tify. The historian may patiently invent,
gate events, trace tbin to their causes and
foretell their consequences, while with those
events he may have no sympathy; nay, his
heart may recoil from their horrors. The
doctor w ho has persistently and intelligent
ly wrestled with a fatal disease may make
an autopsy, in order to discover the ravages
of the disease and to see how far the con
stitution and habits of the diseased may
have aggravated, if they did not indeed su
perinduce, the disease. This he may do
without being accused of sympathy with a
fell ma!aly. His discoveries, even though
they prove to ba withering exposures of
certain modes of life, cannot fail to be a j
boon to the community.
"If there is any truth," says a Public .
Ledger editorial, "which claims our loyal (
adherence, it is that all selfishness and in- i
lust fee react upon the aggressor. We all !
admit this to a certain point. "NYe willing
ly remember that tyrants seldom die a nat
ural death that tyrants inflict untold pains '
on ninltitudes only to live in terror of rebel- I
lion or assassination, and often they are the j
victims of one or tho other. It is said the ;
West India planters who had in value the j
slaves who wished to buy themselves off;
frequently made oath to a higher sum per j
day than their just worth. hen, subse
quently, they had to hire, their own esti
mates were quo'ed and enforced agswnst
them; thus their greed of gain gave its own
penalty. Seusual indulgence of the body
brings a train of woes before which its mo
mentary gratification sinks into insignifi
cance." As the body is punished for Ihe trans
gression or neelect of nature's laws, so is
the body politic punished for every trans
giesfion or neglect of the moral law or
l ights of otheis. This punishment is often
brought about in a way which men cannot
approve of, but in which, nevertheless, they
cannot fail to recognize the providence of
Gul, which makes one bad man the scourge
of another or of a community, for a com
munity may sin as well as an individual.
In tho history of the world there have
been tin.es and places in which the tyranny
of tho strong and tho vengeance of th op-
pressed have field alternate sway when
retiibution to the rich was written by tho
poor in blood. This has been and ever will
be until all men learn to believe in the fit!!- '
ness of their hearts, "Blessed are they that I
suffer persecution for justice sake." What j
forcibly strikes the student of hirdory is this: j
While the horrors and barbarities of, for ex- j
ample, '.lie French revolutionists and com
munists are laid bare to the eyes of the
world, the systematic, legalized injustice I
that, unobserved, gradually deprived them 1
of peace here, made them despair, madden- I
tu litem, until in ueseraiion iney sprang to
vengeance, is raiely noticed or condemned.
CAPITAL AND LABOR.
Nowhere in this country have capital and
labor at so early a date been arrayed against
each other as in tho coal regions. There
were the two classes, the operator and mi
ner. They regarded each other as enemies
and acted as if their interests were conflict
ing. The operator came to tho coalfields
as men go to the Illack Hills not to make
it his home but to make his fortune. A
fortune was either rapidly made or often
more rapidly lost ) especially the loss the
miner did not consider in counting his
wrongs.
Tho losses of operators made them des
perate. Their failure to pay was regarded
as defrauding the laborer of his wages.
Their avarice made them hard task masters.
No part of the world ever presented so fa
vorable an opportunity as the coal regions
for the rich to oppress the poor working
man. In many instances the opportunity
was not neglected. The rapacity, extortion
and refufal to pay the laborer his just
w ages arc still remembered in the company
stoio, and in the order. ( They still exist.)
The iniquity of this system may be known
from one fact : the operator received, when
the store was not his own, ten per cent, for
collecting the storekeepers' bills. Tho
prices were exorbiatit. Fven though the
provident miner had money to enable him
to go elsewhere he was not permitted, even
after laws had been enacted against these
stores. A miner was several times passed
over in the regular order of promotion.
He asked the boss "Why it was did he
not give satisfaction," &c. ? The boss said
"he didn't know. But it is none of my
business. Where do you deal?
If you dealt more in
the company stores you would not be passed
over." At one time the postage stamp and
the cofrin could only be procured at the
store or by an order. This may, to a cer
tain extent, have been the result of the
way business was conducted iu those days,
being cairied on mostly by exchange or
barter. Nevertheless, the remembrance of
it is an arrow that still rankles in the flesh
of t hose who were compelled to submit to it.
Any attempt on the part of the men to
ameliorate their condition was at all haz
ards immediately crushed, 'those who
took prominent part in such movements
among the men fell under the operators'
displeasure, were "marked," "black list
ed." If. is well known that, while other
nationalities weie more skilled in working
up such movements to use the phraseolo
gy of the coal region, in making the balls"
tho Irish, in their hatred of oppression,
were, by their impetuous natures, led to
take Ihe risk of "filing them," a fact which
will explain why so many of the Irish be
came obnoxious to the operators and why
the operators became so hostile to them.
AN INCIDENT IN"lM.USTRATION.
The war came and with It the draft.
Hero was an opportunity to be revenged on
truculent spirits. The land agents, opera
tors being of "the better class," obtained
the ear of those having the draft in charge.
Poor men were by the militaty torn from
their homes, and their wives and children
left without, support. This was done in a
most cruel manner. They were in numbers
chained to ropes which were tied to the
saddles of dragoons, and thus from distant
points marched into Pottsviilc, sent to Fort
Delaware and Fortress Monroe and left to
languish in prison. This was done in vio
lation of law and without the form of a trial
and was done, as was supposed, at the dic
tation of prominent land agents or opera
tors. A spectator, as lie described this
scene, filled up even at this distant day
with indignation and said if such had been
done to him b.3 would have . A very
little knowledge of human nature will ena
ble the reader to see that such high handed
measures were calculated to stir up the
worst passions, to enkindle a spirit of re
venge that could be extinguished only in
blod. Assassinations having their otigin
in the conditions of society here descriWd,
followed ; they were bui injustice reacting
upon the aggressor.'
ORGANIZATION OF THE WORKfNGMEN.
The existence of the Coal Exchansre,
which enabled the operators to systemati
cally govern and oppress the men, at this j
time caused the formation of the Working- j
men's Benevolent Association. The men
organized in the Woi kingmen's Benevolent ;
Association were a power formidable to the (
injustice of operators. Through the Work- :
ingmcn's Benevolent Association the em
ployers were forced not only to respect the
rights, but also to consult the wishes of the
employees. The Woi kingmen's Berrerrv '
lent Association became supreme and at
times arbitrary, perhaps tyranical. Its in
fluence even, if now and again misdirected
(often by the operators to make it odious),
w as ou the whole good. It, by committees,
adjusted all differences between the men
and bosses, thus making impossible per
sonal collisions between the men and ope
rators, and thus removing all desire for
vengeance. During the existence of the
Workiugmen's Benevolent Association
there were no murders on tho part of tho
men of operators or bosses. During the
existence of the Workingmeu's Benevolent
Association the men were a unit against
the encroachments of capital. The dis
ruption of the Workiugmen's Benevolent
Association not only left them at the mercy
of their former enemies, but also caused
an odious division among the men them
selves, founded on nationality and religion.
The operators and the bosses were for the
most part not only anti-Irish and anti-Catholic,
but w ere, moreover, members of secret
societies which, if not professedly, at least
practically, were opposed togiviugthe Iiish
Catholic any alternative except to leave
the region or become a hewer of wood and
drawer of water for others.
Here the summvm jus became the svm.
ma injuria. A proscription was carried on
under the cover of law which stifled tho
spirit of law without violating its leiter.
Everything against this class was done un
der legal form, and, though lecal was not
lawful. The oppression in many places was
secret, systematic, but effective; in other
places there was no secret made of it.
From this proscription there was no appeal;
prejudice, wealth, and law were against its
victims. If passed over in order of promo
tion or discharged at one place "the black
list" was sent to the place they next secured
employment, and thus until they were
practically outlawed and compelled to re
turn to their starting place. "The world
is wide," say some, "why could they not
leave the coal region ?" A miner cannot
carry fhe coal beds with him; he cannot
ply his trade without them ; labor under
the earth unfits him to stand exposure,
eithci to the summer's heat or winter's
cold ; to remove is not always possible.
They were told if they submitted mote and
more would be discharged, until not an
Irishman would be left in the coal region.
Thus their fears and hopes wcic by bad
men worked upon until, in their rude way,
they devised whatjthey considered a reme-
dy.
Experience teaches that men are prone
to magnify their wrongs and in cases of oc
cult compensation to lake more than what
is strictly due. Experience teaches that
men are inclined to seek a remedy for their
ills, and proves, too, that unlawful redress
of wrongs is "the remedy worse than the
disease ;" in this is verified the truth, "all
injustice reacts upon the aggressor." No
better fxample of the proneness of men w ho
have suffered for a long time without re
dress to take the administration of justice
into their own hands, of their liability to
disgiace human nature by their cruelties
under such circumstances, can be given
than the conduct of those who feaied and
suffered from the Ancient Order of Hiber
nians. The law failing to punish crime
those men banded together for the put pose
of wreaking vengeance on the Mollies..
Thev combined not as individuals having
personal wrongs to redress, but as a class
making the wrongs of others their own.
There is a striking resemblance between
the murders, the perjuries, the alibis, &c,
of this secret league and the crimes of the
Mollies With this difference, the Mollies
have never tried to fasten their crimes on
the innocent ; they are regarded as igno
rant, without any training, moral or oth
erwise ; an opinion which an examination
of the criminals will bear out. Whereas,
those banded against the Mollies were of
the better class, intelligent and professedly
law-abiding citizens. The Miners'1 Jour
nal of December 11, 1S75, speaking of the
murder of Charles O'Donnell, whose cloth
ing was set on fire after his body had been
riddled by bullets ; of the murder of his
sister, Mrs. McAllistee, and her unborn
babe, and of the attempted murder of old
Mrs. O'Donucll, says :
"The; reports that, reached us from St.
Nic holas yesterday looked very mnch as if
Ihe often threatened Vigilance Committee
has at last been organized and was getting
in its work. It seems incredible that such
a crime as this could hava been committed
in a region that claims to Im; civilized.
Granted that the house assaulted was a fav
orite headquarters of the Mollie Ma-sruires;
granted that its inmates were among the
worst characters in the region ; granted that
ihe, place was a nuisance which ought to
have been abolished long ago for all of
which we have only rumor as our authority
stilt there was no shadow of excuse for
the crimes committed by men, who, if tiie
reports are true, pretend to bo respectable
citizens. There was not room even for the
plea of urgent necessity usually ad vaneed
by the vigilance committees ; no crimes of
startling magnitude Lad been committed by
the murdered people, or by any otheis in
that region. There was not the usual form
of a trial and the few minutes by which vig
ilance committees make a show of justice.
It was the work of midnight assassins, who
richly deserve tho terrible fate inflicted
upon their victims.
"The boldness and utter nnsrrupulonsness
of the deed are its worst features. That a
hotly of men on a moonlight night could
break into a man's house in the midst of a
community, drag him out of bed, out of thfl
house and "then murder him, with a reckless
prodigality of bullets and a degree of noise
which showed they had not the slightest f.-ar
of interruption ; that, they should carry
their villainy so far as to murder a helpless
woman for no apparent cause whatever, and
maltreat the body of thoir victim after ho
was past thi point when they could inflict
further suffering on him all this and all
the details of the horrible affair show a
deptli of wickedness and barbarism to which
even this V.lood-stained region is a stranger.
"The occurrence is afoul blot on the fame
of Mahanoy Valley one from which she can
free herself only by promptly finding the
murderers and delivering them to justice."
The Miner' Journal cannot be accused
of partiality to the Irish or of friendship to
the Mollies. The above editorial shows it
to be the enemy f all lawlessness all law
lessness, no matter by whom perpetrated ;
retaliation begets retaliation ; all injustice
(and even all justice tha' is lawlessly ad
ministered) must react. The Journal edi
torial clearly piovs that the custom of
avenging injuries has not been in Schuyl
kill county confined exclusively to Moilio
Maguires; that respectable citizens, mad
dened by the boldness of villains, by a sense
of wrong unredressed (even when it is not.
personal), may, in the savage cruelty of
their vengeance, shame barbarians anil in
volve in punishment innoient as well as
guilty. It proven that' those who- ciied
loudest against Mollie deed a were inclined
to imitate them ; nay, were capable of per
petrating mot e cruel, cold-blooded butcher
ies than Mollie fiends. (Humor says the
secret league, against which the horrible
deed is charged, aggregates a membership
of 2,500). The anti-Mollies tried to "hide
the bloody dagger in tho bed of innocence."
No device was left untried to fasten the
Wiggans massaerooti the Irish. The Jour
nal speaks intelligently when it says the.
massacre was committed "by men svho, if
the reports are true, pretend to be respect
able citizens."
With very lit lo cllort on the pait of the
authorities theso offenders could long since
have been limght to justice. Who coun
seled, abetted and commit ted the Wiggans
niassacie has long been an open secret. Mr.
Gowen said of a remark made by counsel,
"If they mean that Molly Magniies or any
otheis have a right to kill people becaoso
their characters are not good, then tho
foundations of society ttro oveiturued and
we have nothing to icly on for protection.
There is no man in the comrniMii
ty, no matter how despicable, how low his
character, how abject his condition, whoso
life must not bo held as safe as the bravest,
noblest and best man in this communi
ty." If this be true, why have not the per
petrators of tho Wiggins and other out
lages, whom Mr. Gowcu S'yles "any oth
ers," been brought to justice '? Has a Mc
l'ail.ui been sent among them, whose testi
mony when it comes will be coivjlusive "' Is
the evidence against them considered insi'fi
ficient to overcome the suborned testimony
of "those who pretended to be respectable
citizens?" Since tho community at largo
li as had so little denunciation to spare on
thai crime d.cs the District Attorney be
lieve there is not enough love of justice
of even-handed justice left in Schuylkill
county to secure their conviction, no mat
ter how strong the evidence against them ?
To bo consistent, those that condemn
Molly outrages must as vigorously deety
and as seveicly puuinh the Wiggans mas
sacre and other outrages. Mr. Gowen says,
"In this country there is no man however,
despicable, whose life is not as s icied in
my eyes as the life of the judges who sic
iu this com t." Sound doctrine, from the
practice of which peace can only be looked
for.
The failure to mete out prompt, impar
tial justice in Schuylkill county has been
no small element of bad feeling and disor
der. Let a case in Hint be taken. For an
attempt to murder William M. Thomas and
for conspiracy to muider the Majois eight
men were tried, convicted and sentenced
to an aggregate impiisonmeut of seventy
seven years; yet tiie recoid of their con
viction proves that William Thomas and
the Majors were the aegresSois, courted
and piovoked the attacks and conspiracy
for which these eight men were convicted.
HISTORY OF Till: MAJOR CASE.
Tho history of the case is briefly this :
George Major was sh&t during a riot be
tween i ival li.'C companies by John McCaun,
it is believed in ic aliatioti for an assault
by Major ou McCanu's brother. For Ihe
killing of George Major Daniel D ingbeity
was, by a change of venue, tiied and ac
quitted at Lebanon. (The testimony ,f
McParlan subsequently exonerated Dough
erty from any participation whatever in
the muider.) William M. Thomas, alias
Bully Bill, a notoiious rough, was used by
Ihe respectable citizens of Mahanoy City to
intimidate, by a prodigal display and use of
pistols, other roughs. The .Majors and
others did not acquiesce in the acquittal of
Dougherty. Several unsuccessful attempts
were made to assassinate D.ugheity, and as
it was not ihe custom to expect, much less
tolooktothe law for piotcc; ioti, Bonghi-ity
took measures to protect himself. McPar
lan testifies : "lie (Dotighei ty) showed us
one or two bullet holes in his coat, near the
shoulder, and stated that he believed Jesse
Maj'r was the man who shot him, and
stated that he had come to the conclusion
the Majors were going to kill himany how,
atid he thought '.hat if the Majors and
Bully Bill weie put out of the way lie would
have peace." When this piece of testimony
was given no one doubled its tinth. It
was a well known fact that Bully Bill and
others had couspirod and at temp cd to as
sassinate Daniel Doughcr'y, whose life, ac
cording to Mr. Gowen and eveiy right
thinking man, was to be regarded as sacred
as the life of the judge upon the bench. In
this testimony Mcl'uslaii maybe said to
have made infoimation against Win, M.
Thomas and Jesse Major in open Court be
fore Judge Walkei, Mr. Kaerchcr, the Dis
trict Attorney, and even before Mr. Gowen
himself. With one-tenth pait of this in
formation insinuated against a Moliy Mr.
Gowen would have hart him iu prison in
tweuty-four bouts. The conspiiney and
attempt to kill that weso allowed lo go un
noticed and uupuui.shed veie as wicked,
deliberate, and cowardly as the ouo Mr.
Gowen expended his ihetoric upon, and
which received a penalty of seventy-seven
years imprisonment.. In order to make
out cases against one class immunity was
granted to the very worst diss of crimin
als. Why was not the same system pur
sued in order to punish crimiti lis of Co?
other class who were guilty of similar of
fences? t'ii'l Jaxtiti't it r ; '?. Tho
only safety of a community is li K t jnsi ice
scouiage tiicnd and foe. altke w hen tliey de
ceive it, otherwise injustice will lead, be
get retaliation, dt.-oider, anaichy. It is
folly to expect jeac except to expect it as
giving them such an exaggerated idea of
their self impoi tance tbttt they felt at lib
erty to despise those who had ihe courage
and sincerity to rebuke them and to en
deavor to make them tsoirowful unto re
pentence. If a tithe of what has been said about
the Mollies be true : if the f-piiit that now
howls and shi ieks agaitst them were lircd
by lovo of virtue, it would likewise de
nounce thoso who have given them aid arl
comfort; those who, for tiuir own so!lih
motives, cherished and eticou; tiged them ;
those who took them to their tanks K
make their power and influence, wicked
and vile as they weie, cauythem or their
ft iends into tifiiec. No, if this ot posit ion
against Mollies wore virtuous jt would
frown down and decry all those in hih
places who allied t hcn::-ei es with the Mol
lies. If such was the case, those honora
ble i?) gentlemen holding high official posi
tions would he compelled to hang their
heads in shame won! 1 be exiled front the
society of respect able men. If such wus
the c-iso, those who leceive Mollies into
their parlors, made v. n auge.nents with
them f r carrying impoi tai.t elect ions, paid
thousands of dollars lo t bent, promised and
obtained, in considn ai io.i of such serxiccs,
anions for ci irnin.il, would not now bo
carrying high ht aus. Tlf-y would be re
garded as greater eti"nics of social older
than (lie Mollies themselves. 'lf you wi.-li
to kn iw the umiul.ty of a communii V
study the chataotcrs of it criminals." TLO
Iiidjtr says. "All selfishness and 'njustico
reacts upon ihe Mggrc-'sor." Is it any
wonder that the foundations or society
have been ov i turned '.' t'..t disorder h.ts
so lotig prevailed in Sthi'vlklll county?
Whatsoever a mail sows the fame shall ho
: reap.
. In showing the cofdilirn of society
which made it po-'siMc for wicked men l i
baud together to avenge the wiongs of
others which, by a community of f.-eling;
they had made their o-,t n, uotd a sense tf
wrong indicted on their cla.-s made men
who would not dream of committing arv
outiage stiy, good for them, thev deserved
vit ;" in shonii-g how The. "aorst i hai actei s
in society, when arrayed against one an
other, like lighting dogs, involved g'X'd
j men iu theii quarrels, until, on the one side,
secrecy was mai:inii!cd and sympathy
aroused, and, on tho other :'Je. as tlo
J'vraal says, reso, ct-.tlde c-'i-ens sougl.t
j security ami peace iu mid'oit Mssassiuu
, lions; i,i showing that ill-feeling was stii
. red up by the oppression to the poor xjy the
rich, the high-handed rule of bos-cs. it is
: Pot the intention to assert that ail the np
: eratots and bosses weie extottioueis and
'. t rants. Notw nhstanding the gunt of t ho
wicked is often visited tip..n the it.uocetits
these have been and arc many operators in
.' the region whose conduct commanded th
! respect and love of the. ot k mgincn. Of
this class no brighter erais.ple can bo pro
j dnced than Mr. Gowcti himself, whose fair
j dealings r.nd hoinnj;tde trcitmtttt of bis
j workmen during his financial reverses are
: remcmbeied and highly commended to h:s
, day. Neither is it. .i-ser'cd th;:t eveiy
murder was the tesult of wrn committed
by its victim. A pait fioin tiie ainormal
; Mate of s ci"ty so f.ivor.ible tit crime, niei
in lite cal region and memleis of tho A.
: O. II. had, as men elsewhere have, their
' motives for the c imiijN-i.Mi of crime ;n-
tives which w re not pcC!'::ar to the icgi.ui
or to the A. O. II.
j ' MONKT OK REV ENCE THE MOTIVE.
I Men in the coal region, as men elsuw hero,
committer? crimes impelled solely by love of
' mot:ey or ibirsl for revenge. These crimes
: in many cases would have beeu committed
; if the A. O. II. had urver existed. It may
not be out of place to al'ade to two mur
ders. Alexander lit a us:i m ist estiti'.abla
i character, whose life so commended him to
the kindly feelings of u-hers that he fel'no
j fear, and, although, he frequently c:i i itd
j large sums of money, ultvays wct.t unarmed,
j He fell the victim not of malice but of cu
I pidily. Benjamin F. i ost, an inoffensive.
kindly man, fell a mnityr to the f.tithfnl
i and impartial discharge of his duty as p. t
i lioeman. As to oiheis, h.i'ul h r.iorttti
I ttixi h'limt'i, and ignorant of their casrs dn
j not allow t hem to be spoken of. It would
j in any particular cas.- be wickedness to
leg.-u-d the piniishmeiits inrVted either by
, Mollies or by auti M '.1'C u. an evidence
of wrongdoing oi:;.r- part ..f the dead,
; for in le.u N.i'.s i-nd idaliat nm men are cf
I ten the victims .f vengeance th it has been
j ai'i lined mote by the nets of others than
: their own. It is an in.: .sj.iit ,,!iv f..r-t that
j bad it not been f r the (luice nf the
; Ancient. Order of lTiliei tii.ms so much dis
' older would not hiiv.r pre. r ;l d. si, ma.iv
minders would i.-it have her n committed.
It was a C'tivr
insti "li'eiit of X
no idea of tlii
Tl o; j.
...,d 1
.".1
no, safe
th'j vvoik of justice o-"j.
To
quote Mr. Gowen, if people can te killed
because their characters are baa then the
foundations of society are overturned.
Governor Seymoui, in an address In fore
a convention of prison tdlicials, said "If
you wi.-h to study the molality of a com
munity go to ils prisons. Criminals iwe
not, as is generally supposed, th uns in the
side of s:ciety. 1 hey are men fuily imbued
with the false notions and max. ins which
prevail in their day, ami they sin only by
running a li.tle faster than otbe.is in carry-
I Dig those maxims lo their ultimate cuiclti
! siuns." Judge Schuvlkill county in the
i light of the truth, and what will you find ?
i Yon will find it was willing for a present
j advantage to sacrifice it er!iia'iei!t giexl.
You will lind that tone was not ouo wid
i itig to saci dice a personal iutciest for tho
j welfaie oi the community ; that thete w.ts
not one who would not c que te v.iih "liie
head devils"' of the Ancient Outer of Hi- t
i beruians iu order to advance himself ; that
long ago the best citizens, moved not by .
' love of justice or feeJiuj-s of pity, but by
' political molivcs, Jm'I il loo.-d for the pardon
of criminal iu comparisoi to whom the
worst ol the six tobeexecu ed in Potisvilio
might pass for an angel. You will lind that,
politicians of all pal tics (tdieli otlioeis of
Ihe liw) hobnob'ued with lead rs, vistttd
their ut-tis, solicited tLtir udiuiLCv, iLus
:ds co givo
rh'iiio.'-aiiKltig. iveace des
troying, tint i-Cln i.-t i.ui, ! i.i '. .Ileal associa
tion, or of its siml-tlrs roi':g influences
an informal ssi -pent which ran ni.lv l,
nostiojid by dusking its head an asso
ciation which not only plunged rs digger
io'o the he. M l cf the ci. tre'i. Jmt by its iri
t.ioiteralil" t.rt.juiics s'n.ck at the life of
society itseif, ?,:id w hat was i-ven worse.
bUM.hem.'iisiy iti-nl'.-d God. It has
brought its own - :inis.hf!:(?I:t. Alas! that
the punishment can only for the most p;;rt
le visited rp"i dupe s. It is an association
which ti e i.f'lccttof the law must prose
cute, which prusls :uist curse ; UjH,u
!i''.v blacJc l.eaits iet tiie Mood f turn,
1 lo dauittat ion if s. t: Is ; against which cijr
to heaven for veiigero-co tho b'ood of its
vieMin, tl.e blond i its inl-.-rs, the sor
rows and I eats of b-virthroV'tn nioiheisaud
fathers, wives and c!'i!c;ii:.
D. -f. Me Dr 15 MUTT.
M. J llt.itlb.VN.
1'HVsof onY of Cats. C sts 4o not al
ways fall on their fret, in spite cf tho jnipu
lar belief to this elicct. 'I bey have, how
ever, gt eat facilities for Kibnciug them
selves because of the flexibility of their
heels, lie botiex nf which jHsseH four scp
aiate joints. I hey alight softly on their
feet lie-Cause the middle of each fruit con
tains a large ba'-l or pad fm nied . f an clastic
substance and divi-ihlc into five parts. It
would be hard io imagine any mechanism
better calculated to btc.ik the force of :t
fall. H'l.f-1 n ett f-.tHwith betid down
V.;r;.!,i; cm is it b uiy am! changes its e"it'C
of f.,:uv:y by making mi a-th of its bark,
wl'tV 't h-gs lemtiio t xteod: d. Thus tb
! dy ilf-ciilNd ;i half mm iu the air, a':d
Ihe l.'.-t, become li.'tes',. The i'ltetlor of a
CTi's li. ad -..iil.iins a so; ,,f pai ! it i.in w :11
projecting from the sides, a tio.-ri wav 'i
w:od, winch pieveiils the bialil from Iimuo;
injuied iy oidiiiaiy cmcur-j-ioiis. 1 ehue
impel i i. ols';. ss lo eei t.iu Clliel blow s hlxoit
1 he he. ul is iu thin way jihvsin'.oeict.'tv .e
Cf'Ui ted for.