PINKERTONS Ep. 1 | “James McParland: The Molly Maguires”

Summary

Legends of the Old West

Episode Summary: "PINKERTONS Ep. 1 | James McParland: The Molly Maguires"

Release Date: July 23, 2025
Host/Author: Black Barrel Media
Duration: Approximately 35 minutes

---

Introduction

In the premiere episode of "Legends of the Old West," hosted by Chris Wimmer, Black Barrel Media delves into the intricate world of the Pinkerton Detective Agency through the lens of James McParland’s infiltration of the notorious Molly Maguires. This episode sets the stage by exploring the violent tensions in the Pennsylvania coal fields and the rise of secret societies among Irish immigrant laborers.

---

Setting the Scene: Summit Hill, Pennsylvania (00:01 - 02:44)

The episode opens on a cold December evening in 1871 in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania. The historical narrator paints a vivid picture of Morgan Powell, a superintendent at the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, who becomes a target amidst escalating tensions between miners and company management.

• Quote:
  “The cold weather was nothing new for Morgan Powell. If anything, it was sweet relief from the thick, stuffy fumes he inhaled all day in the coal mines.”
  (00:30)

Powell's assassination by unknown assailants underscores the perilous environment miners faced, setting the stage for the emergence of the Molly Maguires—a clandestine group of Irish Catholic laborers employing violence to assert their rights against oppressive mine owners.

---

The Rise of the Molly Maguires (02:44 - 05:10)

The Molly Maguires, originating from 18th-century Ireland, became a significant force in Pennsylvania's anthracite coal regions. Their actions ranged from beatings to bombings, aiming to intimidate coal company officials and enforce better working conditions.

• Quote:
  “The Mollies gave the owners an excuse to get their hands dirty.”
  (04:04)

Franklin B. Gowen, president of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad Company, sought a solution to the escalating violence and turned to the Pinkerton Detective Agency to infiltrate and dismantle the Molly Maguires.

---

Introducing James McParland (05:10 - 08:09)

Allan Pinkerton, facing financial difficulties in the early 1870s, saw Gowen’s case as a lifeline. To penetrate the Molly Maguires, Pinkerton needed a trustworthy and resourceful agent. Enter James McParland—a 29-year-old Irish immigrant known for his physical prowess and deep Catholic faith.

• Quote:
  “He had a strong sense of moral certainty and a young man's eagerness for adventure.”
  (07:57)

McParland's recruitment and acceptance of the perilous assignment highlight his dedication and the gravity of the mission ahead.

---

Infiltrating the Molly Maguires (08:09 - 17:55)

McParland arrives in Pennsylvania's coal country, immersing himself in the local culture to gain the trust of the Irish miners. His strategic involvement begins at the Sheridan House Tavern, where his authentic display of Irish customs and robust physical presence earns him respect and suspicion alike.

• Quote:
  “He knew they'd be sizing him up to see if he'd be a good fit for their organization.”
  (10:19)

Through months of hard labor and social interactions, McParland ascends to the position of secretary within the Shenandoah Lodge of the American Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH), positioning himself closer to the heart of the Molly Maguires.

---

Key Events and Escalation (17:55 - 25:16)

As McParland gains access, he uncovers the structured hierarchy and violent methods of the Molly Maguires. The miners' strike of 1874-1875 exacerbates tensions, leading to brutal confrontations and the eventual involvement of the state militia.

• Quote:
  “James McParland stood at the head of a group of more than 600 striking miners... He cut an intimidating figure.”
  (24:15)

A pivotal moment occurs during a confrontation in Mahanoy City, where McParland’s efforts to prevent retaliation against Welsh miners almost falter due to his severe illness, underscoring the personal risks involved in his undercover work.

---

The Turning Point: Increased Violence and Danger (25:16 - 34:00)

The episode intensifies as McParland navigates the treacherous waters of undercover espionage. The assassination of Benjamin Yost and subsequent murders place McParland in increasing danger, as suspicions about his true identity begin to surface.

• Quote:
  “He now had a terrible target on his back for being deep in the Molly Maguires.”
  (33:23)

The culmination of these events leads to a precarious situation where McParland’s cover is nearly blown, highlighting the fine line he walks between his dual identities.

---

Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode (34:00 - End)

As summer turns to autumn, McParland faces mounting threats from the Molly Maguires. The episode concludes with a cliffhanger, promising a dramatic continuation in the next installment where McParland’s undercover mission takes a perilous turn, solidifying his legacy as one of the era's most renowned detectives.

• Teaser Quote:
  “James McParlan's time undercover comes to a short and shocking end as the Molly Maguires learn his true identity...”
  (26:03)

---

Production Credits

• Researched and Written by: Robert Teamstra
• Produced by: Joe Garra
• Original Music by: Rob Valiere
• Host: Chris Wimmer

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. “The cold weather was nothing new for Morgan Powell. If anything, it was sweet relief from the thick, stuffy fumes he inhaled all day in the coal mines.”
   (00:30)

2. “The Mollies gave the owners an excuse to get their hands dirty.”
   (04:04)

3. “He had a strong sense of moral certainty and a young man's eagerness for adventure.”
   (07:57)

4. “He knew they'd be sizing him up to see if he'd be a good fit for their organization.”
   (10:19)

5. “James McParland stood at the head of a group of more than 600 striking miners... He cut an intimidating figure.”
   (24:15)

6. “He now had a terrible target on his back for being deep in the Molly Maguires.”
   (33:23)

7. “James McParlan's time undercover comes to a short and shocking end as the Molly Maguires learn his true identity...”
   (26:03)

---

Summary

"James McParland: The Molly Maguires" offers a compelling narrative of courage, deception, and the relentless pursuit of justice in the tumultuous landscape of the American West. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Chris Wimmer brings to life the complex dynamics between laborers and industrialists, and the pivotal role of the Pinkerton Detective Agency in shaping the era’s labor movements. This episode not only illuminates McParland's daring undercover operations but also sets up an intriguing foundation for future explorations of legendary Western figures and events.

---

For Listeners Who Haven’t Tuned In

If you’re fascinated by the gritty realities of the Old West, the struggles of labor movements, and the clandestine operations that influenced American history, this episode is a must-listen. "Legends of the Old West" provides a rich, immersive experience that both educates and entertains, bringing to life the stories that forged the American frontier.

---

Stay tuned for Episode 2: "James McParland’s Shocking End" coming next week, where the saga of infiltration and danger reaches its climax, making McParland one of history’s most renowned detectives.

Transcript

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[Chris Wimmer]

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[Historical Narrator]

Mobile.Com by the time night fell on December 2, 1871, in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania, the air had become especially crisp.

The cold weather was nothing new for Morgan Powell.

If anything, it was sweet relief from.

The thick, stuffy fumes he inhaled all.

Day in the coal mines.

Powell was a superintendent with the Lehigh.

Coal and Navigation Company. He was just one of many men.

In rural Pennsylvania employed to work in the anthracite coal fields. Coal mining was a punishing job, forcing.

[Chris Wimmer]

Men to pass long hours underground for little pay.

[Historical Narrator]

As a result, there was significant tension between the miners and the companies.

As a representative of management, Powell was.

[Chris Wimmer]

In the middle of the conflict on a daily basis. He was certain there were a number.

[Historical Narrator]

Of miners who had grudges against him because he was tied to the bosses. So on that cold December evening, as.

Powell exited Williamson's General Store, he kept an eye out for possible mischief aimed in his direction.

At around 7pm, Powell stepped out of.

The store and began walking down the sidewalk. After walking just a few yards, he.

[Chris Wimmer]

Ran into a pair of armed men.

[Historical Narrator]

Without saying a word, the men raised.

Their pistols and shot Powell in the chest.

As a blood soaked Powell fell to the ground, his assassins ran off into the night. By the next day, the killers had fled the county and any trail they may have left behind went cold.

Their identities would remain a mystery to.

Law enforcement, but everyone in town knew.

Who was really behind the the Molly Maguires. The name didn't refer to a single.

Person or family, but rather the Molly.

Maguires were A secret clan of Irish Catholic laborers who believed that the only way to get the coal companies to respect them was to instill fear in foremen, superintendents, and anyone who held power. Violent reprisals such as beatings, huge shootings and verbal threats were the language of the Mallies, and everyone in the region knew it.

Though their history was shrouded in secrecy, it was known that the Molly Maguires began in Ireland in the 1700s, and they directed their violence against English landlords.

As Irish immigrants flooded into the United states in the mid-1800s, so did the Mollies. Before long, they established themselves in mining communities in Pennsylvania. Numerous acts of violence were attributed to the Molly Maguires. As a result, the Mollies had become a major problem for the Working Men's Benevolent association, the legitimate mining union which put so much effort into establishing peaceful.

[Chris Wimmer]

Negotiations with mine owners.

[Historical Narrator]

For the mine owners, the Molly Maguires.

[Chris Wimmer]

Were a useful tool in their crusade.

[Historical Narrator]

To exert total control over labor. The Mollies gave the owners an excuse to get their hands dirty.

Morgan Powell's assassination was one example of many.

And as the bodies continued to fall, the owners decided they wanted a man to infiltrate the secret society and spy on them. The owners turned to the Pinkerton Detective Agency, and the agency had just the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Man for the.

[Historical Narrator]

From Black Barrel Media, this is Legends of the Old West. I'm your host, Chris Wimmer, and this.

Season we're focusing on the famous Pinkerton detective agency and two of its most famous operatives, James McParland and Charlie Siringo. This is episode one, James McParland part.

One the Molly McGuires.

[Chris Wimmer]

Franklin B. Gowen was the president of the Philadelphia and.

[Historical Narrator]

Reading Railroad Company, one of the most.

[Chris Wimmer]

Heavily used railroads in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

[Historical Narrator]

But Gowen wasn't just ahead of the train company. He also controlled many of the coal.

[Chris Wimmer]

And iron mines, which provided raw materials for the railroad. One of the many mining companies under his control was the Lehigh Coal and.

[Historical Narrator]

Navigation Company, the firm Morgan Powell worked for before his untimely death. For years, Gowan had been at war with labor, especially the Working Men's Benevolent association, or the wba.

[Chris Wimmer]

As Gowan struggled to control nonviolent labor.

[Historical Narrator]

Activists, he also had to contend with violent agitators like the Molly Maguires. By the fall of 1873, nearly two years after Morgan Powell's death, Gowan decided he wanted to get rid of the Molly Maguires. To do that, he reached out to the Pinkerton Detective Agency to send in a spy. Gowan's timing couldn't have been Better for the Pinkerton Agency. Allan Pinkerton, a Scottish immigrant, founded the agency around 1850 and quickly built up its reputation.

[Chris Wimmer]

But by the early 1870s the agency was in financial ruin.

[Historical Narrator]

Pinkerton himself was deeply in debt and.

His Philadelphia office was hemorrhaging money in an effort to stop the financial bleeding.

Pinkerton cut detectives wages and prayed for a miracle.

Franklin Gowen was that miracle. Pinkerton eagerly accepted Gowen's case, but considering.

How dangerous it would be, Pinkerton knew.

He needed an undercover agent who fit.

A very specific set of young, physically fit, Irish, Catholic and unmarried. Most importantly, the agent had to be a man who could win the trust.

Of the Molly Maguires.

After searching his list of agents, Pinkerton.

Eventually landed on 29 year old James McParlin. McParland would later add a D to his name and become McParland in 1873. McParland was a lean but muscular Irish immigrant with a thick beard and hazel eyes behind glasses.

He had worked in the agency's Chicago.

[Chris Wimmer]

Office for more than a year.

[Historical Narrator]

Pinkerton summoned McParlin to his office and.

Asked McParland if he knew anything about the Molly Maguires. McParland told Pinkerton what he knew of the clandestine group and Pinkerton was impressed.

Pinkerton offered McParland the go to the Pennsylvania coal fields, blend in with the.

Irish locals and spy on the secretive group. Pinkerton was honest about the assignment.

It was going to be dangerous work.

[Chris Wimmer]

With no pay increase.

[Historical Narrator]

To Pinkerton's surprise, McParland accepted.

As a proud Catholic, McParland had a.

[Chris Wimmer]

Strong sense of moral certainty and a.

[Historical Narrator]

Young man's eagerness for adventure.

Within a week, McParland was on a train bound for Pennsylvania. McParland arrived in coal country in late.

October and spent a month wandering the land. During that month he was able to get a good feel for the locals while also listening to gossip about Molly McGuire activity. Eventually, he was warned to steer clear.

Of Sheridan House, a tavern in the town of Pottsville. Supposedly, the tavern was a haven for the Molly Maguires. In late November, McParlin strolled into the Sheridan house.

Immediately he recognized a tune being played.

By the fiddler inside, a lively folk song called the devil's dream.

McParlan tossed aside his coat and hat, jumped into the center of the room and began a jig.

When the song ended, everyone in the.

Tavern applauded McParlin's impromptu dance. After drinking a shot of whiskey, McParlan.

Began singing the Ballad of Molly Maguire.

[Chris Wimmer]

An old tune straight from Ireland.

[Historical Narrator]

When he finished singing, McParland was invited.

To play cards in the back of the tavern. During the game, he got his first.

Taste of how quickly violence could erupt in the area.

McParlan noticed that a man at the.

Table known as the Pottsville bully was cheating.

McParlan called the bully out, and the bully challenged McParland to a fight. For six painful rounds, McParland and the bully boxed in the tavern. McParland took the brunt of the damage and was severely beaten, but he always stood up. Finally, the bully got frustrated and left the tavern. McParland's face was battered and bruised, but flushed with success.

[Chris Wimmer]

He bought a round of drinks for.

[Historical Narrator]

Everyone in the joint. With a whiskey glass raised, McParlin gave an old Irish toast to the power that makes English landlords tremble.

The toast was a calculated move.

He'd heard it many times during his travels in the area, and he guessed.

That it might hold significance for the Molly Maguires.

[Chris Wimmer]

The toast provoked grins from his new friends.

[Historical Narrator]

He saw a few subtle looks pass.

Between other Irishmen at the bar. If he wasn't on their radar before, he was now. He knew they'd be sizing him up to see if he'd be a good fit for their organization. All McParland had to do now was.

[Chris Wimmer]

Convincingly play the part.

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[Historical Narrator]

The rest of 1873, McParland returned to.

[Chris Wimmer]

Sheridan House and became a familiar face. Everyone knew his story. He was James McKenna from the old.

[Historical Narrator]

Country and looking for work. But there was an extra element to McParlin's fake backstory, which he kept for people he really trusted and whom he believed might be able to get him.

[Chris Wimmer]

Close to the Molly Maguires.

[Historical Narrator]

He told some people that he was.

[Chris Wimmer]

A member of the Ancient Order of.

[Historical Narrator]

Hibernians back in Ireland.

[Chris Wimmer]

The AOH was a legal fraternal organization.

[Historical Narrator]

Among Irishmen in both Ireland and the United States.

[Chris Wimmer]

During the weeks of gathering information in.

[Historical Narrator]

The area, McParlan developed a theory. The so called Molly Maguires were a.

[Chris Wimmer]

Secret circle within the American branch of the AOH. If McParlin could get invited into the American AOH via his alleged association with.

[Historical Narrator]

The Irish AOH, then maybe he could.

[Chris Wimmer]

Gain access to the Mollies.

[Historical Narrator]

It was a risky strategy.

[Chris Wimmer]

McParlan didn't know any of the secret signs or passwords for either branch of the aoh. The purpose of claiming to be a.

[Historical Narrator]

Member of the Irish AOH was to have a plausible excuse for not knowing.

[Chris Wimmer]

Any of the American codes.

[Historical Narrator]

Unfortunately, the deception nearly blew McParlin's cover. One December night, McParland was in the.

Middle of telling a story to a crowd when he was approached by a legitimate member of the Irish AOH.

Doubting McParlin's cover story, the man gave.

One of the Irish AOH signs. Instead of making up a sign, McParland pretended to pass out drunk. The man tried to rouse McParland, but McParland refused to awaken. Frustrated, the man moved on.

[Chris Wimmer]

And McParland had dodged serious trouble.

[Historical Narrator]

At the end of January 1874, McParland finally started making some real progress on the case, though it wasn't exactly the.

Way he had hoped for. McParland had become friendly with a local pub owner named Muff Lawler. Lawler believed McParland was looking for work.

So Lawlor referred McParland for a job in the mines in Shenandoah, about 12 miles north of Pottsville. McParland wasn't thrilled about having to do legitimate work in a coal mine, but he knew he couldn't decline without arousing Suspicion More importantly, McParland was certain Lawlor.

[Chris Wimmer]

Had a line to the Molly Maguires.

[Historical Narrator]

Accepting the job would bring the two.

[Chris Wimmer]

Men closer as friends.

[Historical Narrator]

So McParlin swallowed his reservations and took the job. On February 12, 1874, McParlin got to work. He soon learned that to be a coal miner was to work in one.

[Chris Wimmer]

Of the harshest environments imaginable.

[Historical Narrator]

Space was tight and light was limited. Danger lurked around every corner, from man made explosions to the mine's roofs or walls spontaneously collapsing. And if explosions or cave ins didn't kill you, the noxious fumes could. And all of that was done for a tiny paycheck which was cruelly reduced by every item needed to survive. McParland discovered that the company took out massive chunks of employee wages for housing and then supplies and other necessities had to be purchased for marked up prices at the company owned store. Essentially, the workers were giving their wages right back to the company because they had to buy all their supplies from the company store. McParlan didn't like the backbreaking work, but he was able to keep a closer eye out for men whom he suspected were Molly. Before long he made another connection. One of the men working beside him was a 26 year old Irish immigrant named Frank McAndrew. McAndrew was climbing the ranks of the American branch of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and he was looking for new.

[Chris Wimmer]

Allies among the miners.

[Historical Narrator]

For three arduous months McParlin worked alongside MacAndrew. In their off hours they drank at Lawlor's publishers hub. Finally, in April 1874, McParlin got what he wanted. An invite to become an official member of the Shenandoah Lodge of the American AOH. Muff Lawler, Frank McAndrew and three others brought McParlin to Lawler's house and asked him to take an oath. He was provided with secret codes and signs of the Hibernians and he no.

[Chris Wimmer]

Longer needed to pretend to have connections.

[Historical Narrator]

Back in Ireland he was one big step closer to the Molly McGuires.

[Chris Wimmer]

James McParlin always suspected Lawlor had some.

[Historical Narrator]

Kind of connection to the Molly McGuires. And with each passing day the suspicion seemed more true.

[Chris Wimmer]

Not only was Lawlor a member of.

[Historical Narrator]

The Shenandoah lodge of the AOH, he was also a so called body master.

[Chris Wimmer]

McParland learned that a bodymaster was in.

[Historical Narrator]

Charge of all local lodge activities. Among those activities were determining enemy targets.

And how to act against them.

[Chris Wimmer]

McParland's inner circle theory appeared to be.

[Historical Narrator]

True and he began to wonder if.

The AOH bodymasters were the Molly Maguires.

Being a bodymaster in the AOH required men to be tough at all times.

And if they weren't mentioned, or if they were even suspected of being too soft, then they could be targets themselves.

One day in the spring of 1874, McParland accompanied Lawlor on a trip to.

[Chris Wimmer]

Acquire the new AOH passwords and signs for the season.

[Historical Narrator]

On their way back to Shenandoah, the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Two men stopped at a tavern for a drink.

[Historical Narrator]

As they sipped their whiskeys, a loud noise startled them. McParland and Lawler turned and saw that.

[Chris Wimmer]

A man named Dick Flynn had just.

[Historical Narrator]

Kicked down the door. Flynn held a carving knife in one hand and a revolver in the other. Cocked and ready to shoot. He announced that he was there to kill Lawler for being too soft as a bodymaster. Without hesitating, McParland charged Flynn and seized Flynn's wrists. As the two men grappled Flynn, Lawlor escaped out a window. During the struggle, McParlin persuaded Flynn to put down his weapons and have a drink. Frustrated by Lawler's escape, Flynn accepted the offer and placed the knife and pistol on the bar. The bartender poured them each a shot. Flynn tossed the whiskey back, and then, since Lawlor had escaped, he said he was going to kill McParland instead. Flynn reached for his pistol, but McParland was quicker. McParland drew his own revolver and put.

[Chris Wimmer]

It to Flynn's ear.

[Historical Narrator]

He said he'd blow Flynn's brains out if Flynn made a move. Flynn's aggression dissolved and he started begging for his life. McParland spared Flynn and slipped away into the night. After that incident, the pressure seemed to get to muff Lawler. In July 1874, he stepped down as bodymaster. Frank McAndrew, the man who worked alongside McParland, was elected to take Lawlor's place. McAndrew knew that McParland could read and write and appointed him to be the lodge's secretary. McParland couldn't believe his luck. Moving forward, he would be the one who kept detailed notes on every AOH meeting, and those notes could be sent back to his Pinkerton supervisors. One of the most important things McParland learned about the AOH was how it doled out violence. If members wanted a man beaten or.

Shot, they didn't give the assignment to.

A man in their own lodge.

Instead, they did an exchange with a neighboring lodge.

With muscle coming from out of town, the local Hibernians or Mallies couldn't be.

Directly connected to the crime. Thus Lodges could protect each other and.

Avoid local law enforcement.

Throughout the summer of 1874, tensions rose.

Within the labor movement. As July rolled into August, violence between.

The Molly Maguires and their enemies increased.

Irish miners regularly fought with German and Welsh miners, thanks to alcohol and mutual.

Distrust between the communities. At the same time, the Workingmen's Benevolent association was negotiating with management to establish.

[Chris Wimmer]

New wages for the year.

[Historical Narrator]

They'd managed to set a stable wage.

For miners through 1874, but talks turned sour.

When discussing wages for 1875, mine owners.

Like Franklin Gowen were prepared to break the union. They ignored the established minimum wage and instead offered a 20% reduction in wages. In December 1874, the WBA took a vote and the majority decided that enough was enough. Mines in the southern anthracite fields. Those represented by the union were to stop all labor effective immediately. The miners were now on strike. Weeks turned to months and the work stoppage became known as the long stoppage strike. Without work to keep them busy, the Molly Maguires grew even more aggressive in their acts of violence against their enemies. And James McParland found himself square in the middle of it.

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[Historical Narrator]

In April 1875, McParland was.

Approached by three Irishmen.

[Chris Wimmer]

They knew McParland by reputation.

[Historical Narrator]

Word on the street was that McParland.

[Chris Wimmer]

Was a member of the Molly Maguires.

[Historical Narrator]

The news came as a surprise to.

McParland since he didn't even fully know who was or wasn't a Molly. The delineation between a Hibernian and a Molly was very murky. Still, McParlin played along and listened to what the three men had to say. The three men wanted to blow up a bridge near Ringtown which would hurt the shipping of coal from from the upper anthracite fields. The mines in that area were not on strike and that angered the three men. They wanted McParland's help, which placed McParlin.

[Chris Wimmer]

In a dangerous situation. He couldn't agree to the plot with.

[Historical Narrator]

A clear conscience and he couldn't push against it for fear of blowing his cover.

[Chris Wimmer]

But as secretary of the local AOH.

[Historical Narrator]

Lodge, he could stall for time.

So McParland agreed to bring up the.

Proposal at the next AOH meeting. When the next meeting rolled around, McParland.

Warned the new bodymaster, Frank McAndrew, that the would be bombers couldn't be trusted. McParland was forceful, and McAndrew ended up dismissing the bombing plot. The bridge near Ringtown stayed intact, though. Unfortunately, McParland's relief effort was short lived.

[Chris Wimmer]

As tensions continued to rise.

[Historical Narrator]

On June 2, 1875, James McParlin stood at the head of a group of more than 600 striking miners. They'd gathered at dawn to prevent scabs from entering one of the mines.

McParlin cut an intimidating figure, especially with.

A pair of navy colts on his.

Belt, a hickory club in his hand.

And an attack dog barking at his side. He looked every bit the violent miner people thought he was. Across from the crowd were 25 members of the coal and iron police, led by a Pinkerton named Robert Linden. Linden was one of McParlin's supervisors out of Chicago and one of the few men who knew McParlin's true identity.

[Chris Wimmer]

As the restless crowd pushed toward the.

[Historical Narrator]

Line of policemen, the officers leveled Winchester riders rifles at the miners. And the miners stopped in their tracks, Realizing blood was about to be spilled. McParland shouted over the chaos. He yelled to the miners that 20.

Policemen with 16 shots each could take.

Down 320 miners before they ran out of bullets. The mob fell back, but it didn't disperse. The miners regrouped and joined another wave of disgruntled work workers who were heading to Mahanoi city, one county over. By the time the mob reached Mahanoi city, it had swelled to 2,000 people. The mob clashed with a hastily formed posse, leaving a wave of property damage in its wake. Eventually, the Pennsylvania government mobilized the state militia to prevent more rioting, and McParland jumped from one trouble spot to another as the rioting broke. Woke up, McParland received a summons for a meeting of AOH leadership in Mahanoy City. The summons came from the Schuylkill county bodymaster, John Keogh.

And Keogh wanted to kill a Welshman.

McParlin knew Keogh.

Keogh was a former miner who now owned a tavern.

He was well known as a leader in the ancient order of Hibernians. He was charming, smart, and a natural politician. And if the rumors were to be believed, he had beaten to death a mine Boss in 1862. John Keogh was not a man to cross. Since Frank McAndrew was out of town, McParland went to the meeting to represent the Shenandoah Lodge. During the meeting, McParland watched as Keogh showed the other bodymasters bullet holes in his coat.

According to Keough, the bullet holes were.

[Chris Wimmer]

Evidence of a recent attempt on his.

[Historical Narrator]

Life by a Welshman. Keough wanted revenge and McParland made mental plans to warn any possible victims before the shooting started. But when McParlin got home that night, he suddenly found himself bedridden. Due to a combination of stress, physical exertion and fatigue. McParland had become dangerously sick. He was delirious and unable to rise for days on end. When he did manage to stand, the farthest he could go was out to the front stoop of his boarding house for some fresh air. Unfortunately, that meant he wasn't able to warn people about Keough's revenge. The marked Welshman was eventually shot, but he survived. So at least McParlin didn't have a death on his conscience. But McParland was about to learn that many more had targets on their backs.

[Chris Wimmer]

Just before dawn on July 6, 1875.

[Historical Narrator]

In the town of Tamaqua, policemen Benjamin.

Yost and Barney McCarran were extinguishing the.

Town'S gas lamps as they strolled down the street. They stopped at a lamp outside of Yost's home. While Yost set up a ladder, McCarran wandered off. Yost climbed up and reached for the lamp. At that moment, Yost's wife happened to glance out of the window. While his wife watched, Yost extinguished the flame and two men emerged from the darkness and ran toward him. Yost was trapped on the top of the ladder and he could do nothing as the men raised their pistols and shot him twice in the chest. Yost fell from the ladder and the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Shooters fled the area. Yost's wife ran out of the house.

[Historical Narrator]

And desperately tried to stop the bleeding. Gunshot wounds. Hearing the shots, Barney McCarron ran back toward his fallen partner. McCarron saw the fleeing gunman and fired after them. But in the pre dawn light, the gunmen disappeared. Instead of chasing them, McCarran turned back toward his partner, who was bleeding in his wife's arms.

[Chris Wimmer]

Benjamin Yost died seven hours later.

[Historical Narrator]

When the news got out, James McParland.

[Chris Wimmer]

Received a message which ordered him to investigate the murder.

[Historical Narrator]

McParland traveled 15 miles east to Tamaqua.

[Chris Wimmer]

And began his investigation in his usual manner.

[Historical Narrator]

He bought drinks for AOH members until somebody started talking McParlin's primary suspect was Jimmy Powder Keg Kerrigan, the bodymaster of the Tamaqua AOH Lodge. McParland learned that Yost had arrested Kerrigan for drunkenness on multiple occasions and beaten him with a baton. When the volatile Kerrigan did not go quietly, Kerrigan drunkenly boasted about how cleanly the assassins had gotten away with the killing. McParland repeatedly visited the tavern where Kerrigan drank and slowly drew every every bit of the story out of Kerrigan. In order to avoid his suspect becoming suspicious of his frequent visits, McParland flirted with Kerrigan's sister. Kerrigan bought the ruse. He assumed McParland was at the tavern for his sister not to memorize the details of Yost's murder. Before long, McParland had the names of the men who planned and executed the Yost murder. They were all members of his own own Shenandoah Lodge. Keeping with tradition, the Tamaqua Lodge had asked the Shenandoah Lodge to carry out the murder so that the men in the Tamaqua Lodge couldn't be arrested. With the information in hand, McParlin passed it to his Pinkerton supervisors. But to McParlin's shock and horror, their response wasn't a congratulations. It was a warning. Other operatives and informants in the region region had notified the Pinkerton bosses that Welsh and English immigrant Communities suspected James McKenna, McParland's alter ego, was the real mastermind behind Yost's murder, as well as others. Other Pinkerton operatives learned that if another killing happened, the English and Welsh were ready to take revenge on James McParland. McParland realized he was too good at being undercover. He now had a terrible target on his back for being deep in the Molly Maguires. McParlin tried his best to delay the next contract killing, since members of his lodge carried out the Yost killing. Jimmy Kerrigan and the Tamaqua Lodge owed Shenandoah a murder. The Shenandoah men picked John P. Jones, a mine superintendent, as the target, and McParland quickly notified the Pinkertons. But Jones wasn't the only man in danger. On August 31, McParland awoke to find a revolver on his nightstand.

[Chris Wimmer]

But it wasn't his.

[Historical Narrator]

McParland woke his roommate at the boarding.

House and asked him about the gun. McParland's roommate said he'd borrowed the gun and planned to kill Thomas Sanger, a mine foreman. At dinner, the roommate then asked if he could borrow McParlin's gray coat to remain inconspicuous. McParlin handed him the coat and waited for the roommate to leave. When the roommate was gone, McParlin bolted out of town as fast as he could. He needed to get a hold of fellow Pinkerton, Robert Linden so that Linden could warn Thomas Sanger. Unfortunately, McParland wasn't fast enough. Back in town that evening, Thomas Sanger ate his supper and then walked out onto a street packed with other miners. As he was walking, a shot rang out. The crowd scattered and revealed five men, all Molly Maguires, including the roommate wearing McParlin's coat. The assassins charged Sanger. Sanger took off running. He rounded the corner of a building, hoping to escape, but he was stuck. The killers cornered Sanger by a doorway and shot him repeatedly at close range. After killing Sanger, the assassins fled. McParlan was disappointed that he failed to prevent Sanger's death, but he was determined to bring the assassins to justice. Within an hour, he found the killers, who were drinking and bragging about their bloody work. McParlin sent their names to his supervisors that same night. But the bad news kept coming.

[Chris Wimmer]

A few days later, McParland learned that.

[Historical Narrator]

John P. Jones had been killed by Kerrigan and other Molly Maguires. Thankfully, eyewitness descriptions led to quick arrests of the assassins. But it was cold comfort for McParland. He had informed his superiors about the danger Jones was in. They should have been able to protect the foreman, but they weren't. The violence of that summer of 1875 swirled closer and closer to James McParlin. He would have been forgiven the analogy if he said he felt like a noose was slowly tightening around his neck.

[Chris Wimmer]

That was very close to the truth.

[Historical Narrator]

And as summer turned to autumn, he wondered how much longer he could stay undercover. Next time on Legends of the old West. James McParlin's time undercover comes to a short and shocking end as the Molly Maguires learn his true identity. Desperately trying to save both his own skin and the case, McParlin makes several risky maneuvers and ends up becoming one of the most famous detectives of his era in the process. That's next week on Legends of the Old West. Members of our Black Barrel program don't have to wait week to week to receive new episodes.

They receive the entire season to binge.

All at once with no commercials. And they also receive exclusive bonus episodes. Sign up now through the link in the show notes or on our website.

Blackberrymedia.Com this episode was researched and written by Robert Teamstra. It was produced by Joe Garra. Original music by Rob Valiere. I'm Chris Wimmer.

Thanks for listening.

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