Joseph H. Zerbey History "History of East Norwegian Twp.1934
A Recreation Centre & Atlantic Garden Popular
During the last quarter of the nineteenth century the people of the East Norwegian township sought recreation in an improvised park on the west bank of Mill creek, in a spot about midway between Spencerville and the southern boundary of Saint Clair, Tucker's Dam. the veritable "Ole swimmin' Hole" of Mill Creek. The park was deserted in 1890.The Atlantic Garden popular long before the park at Tucker's Dam began to wane, a new recreational centre began to grow in favor with the local society. This was the "Atlantic Garden" in the extreme northern portion of the Township. Here Martin Dormer operated a distillery until 1880 and Brewery in conjunction with his park till 1904. Many picnics were held on this lofty playground and young and old danced upon the open platform to the fiddler's music so popular in those days. In 1905 these airy times gave place to the august Gregorian chant of Mill Creek's first Catholic Church. Mrs. Mary Dormer sold the land to Archbishop Patrick John Ryan. The Property was known as Dormers Atlantic Garden; it was a top a high hill and was the perfect setting for a church.. A dance hall on the property was remodeled and became St. Mary's Slovak Church. The 1st mass was celebrated July 22, 1904. The Rev. John Stanek was the parish's first resident pastor. This improvised church was used for services while the brick edifice was being constructed. In 1905 Archbishop gave the parish its name, The Immaculate Conception.
Anthony F.C. Wallace "St.Clair" pg 340-341.
"McKenna" Penetrates the Ancient Order of Hibernians
The Ulster-born Irish detective who three years after was to become the commonwealth's star witness in the Molly Maguire cases- and a star in the Pinkerton organization too- arrived in Pottsville in December 1873. His name James McParlan (although sometime he called himself James McFarlan, and in Schuylkill he was know as James McKennna) and his mission was to infiltrate the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He had already done some research for Pinkerton on Irish secret societies and had submitted an essay on the Molly Maguries, tracing them back to the famine, and even further, to the days of the Ribbonmen and the rebellion of 1798. He concluded in advance (and incorrectly) that the supposed benevolent was merely a new name for the same old terrorist organization.
McParlan established himself in Pottsville and then began a series of one-week trips to various places in the region where he might be able to pass himself off as murderer and forger and a former member of the AOH seeking to join a local branch. His first visit was to St.Clair where he stayed at Taggart's hotel in the north end of town. Hearing rumors that Patrick Dormer was a "Sleeper" (a Molly and a member of the AOH), he promptly repaired to Dormer's saloon just over the borough line and preceded to charm his way into the gigantic saloon keeper's confidence. Speaking and singing in a broad Irish brogue, McParlan lurched around the saloon, dancing a jig, downing whiskey, singing a Donegal ballad celebrating the killing of land agent Bell by Pat Dolan's Mollies, playing cards, fist fighting with a man he caught cheating at cards, telling stories, passing what he alleged to be counterfeit money, and dropping hints of past affiliations with the AOH. He played the wild Irish lad so convincingly that Dormer was won over and a month later, introduced him to "Muff" Lawler, the body master- the chief officer- of the AOH branch in Shenandoah.
