Writing Irish Luck, Chinese Medicine, I struggled to fairly depict a secret society of labor activists, the Molly Maguires, who were transplanted to American along with Irish immigrants.
Child laborers known as “breaker boys” — one of many injustices of 19th Century coal mining.
The Molly Maguires spawned fierce conflicts in anthracite coal mining communities, pitting coal miners against mine bosses. In 1876, several Mollies were convicted of fabricated murders and executed in public hanging
Some would say the Mollies were vigilantes, perpetrating violence, murder, and committed terrorist acts. Others would argue they were exploited workers, desperate to survive and feed their families. What do you think?