There was little of interest occurring in the region from the dates last mentioned, until early in the spring of 1875, when the Mollies determined to destroy the bridges on the Catawissa Railway, then as now run by the Philadelphia and Reading Company. The reason given by Pat Brennan, one of the prime movers in the business, for the proposed outrage, was that considerable coal passed to market over the Catawissa line, and it would be necessary to stop shipments as well as production in that portion of country. McAndrew of Shenandoah, and Pat Butler, of Loss Creek, were expected to furnish the force of Mollies, and Brennan was to secure an equal number of men from outside sources. The several high and costly structures were to be set on fire simultaneously, after all trains had passed over, so that life would not be endangered. Brennan, found picking coal at Glover’s dirt bank, was not a Mollie, but bad enough to be one. McKenna went to see him, pretending great anxiety to have a hand in the matter, at the order of McAndrew. Brennan implicated two brothers, named Welch, with many others, and said one meeting had already been held on the subject, by his friends, in the bush, but nothing had been permanently decided upon. Another gathering was appointed for the ensuing Tuesday night, to be attended by Mollies and outsiders, and the detective was invited to be present. He consented. McHugh was opposed to the project. Gibbons was greatly in favor of it. In a conversation held with the latter, the detective said: “It is a big job, ye understand, an’ it will take a good many men to do the thing. They must be as true as steel, at that.” “I know it,” answered Gibbons. “An’ are not the Hibernians the men who can be depended upon? They can do it, if anybody can.” “I know we’re all right—but we’re not alone. We can’t possibly arrange everything so as to act before next Wednesday night.” “That’s the truth!” responded Gibbons. This was urged in order to gain time in which to notify Mr. Franklin, so that, if McKenna might not succeed in discouraging the Mollies and preventing the destructive effort, a force could be sent to capture the would-be incendiaries before the match had done its duty. It was finally decided that a second meeting should be held the ensuing Tuesday night, at nine o’clock, at Number Three Hill, when the details should be attended to, and quickly following that should come the destruction of the obnoxious bridges. The following evening—Wednesday—all were expected to convene at Ringtown Mountain, near the Catholic cemetery, duly equipped for work, and, after brief consultation, at once proceed to do the task proposed. Axes and other tools were to be procured and brought to the second meeting, with plenty of powder and fuses for exploding some of the heavier abutments.