Although the WBA encouraged workers to accept the new contract, many so-called radical workers rejected that advice and organized their own demonstrations and parades, which attracted large crowds in the thousands (Johnson and Dennis). It is during this period that the Molly Maguires society emerged to rectify their grievances against the political system and mine owners who were hostile to immigrants and mine workers. (Brennan). Just as they had targeted their landlords in Ireland, the Pennsylvania Mollies targeted the mine owners, company policemen, and strike breakers (Brennan). Their protests were some of the most violent in labor history (Loy).
Both the union members and the coal companies were responsible for numerous violent acts, including public brawls, assaults, sabotage, and murder (Loy). Mines were …show more content…
(Linder). Kehoe was an Irishman who had worked his way out of the mines and owned a small hotel in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania, and a small tavern in Shenandoah (Kehoe Foundation). He was a prominent member of Schuylkill County’s AOH, and served as the county delegate. In 1875 and 1876, he was elected as high constable by the citizens of Giarardville (Kehoe Foundation). McParlan testified that Kehoe ordered the attack on Thomas (Linder). It took the jury only twenty minutes to decide the case, and they found Mr. Kehoe and the eleven defendants guilty (Linder). Kehoe was sentenced to death (Linder). During his imprisonment, Kehoe protested his innocence until the end (Kehoe Foundation). His attempts for an appeal were denied (Kehoe Foundation). In a letter written from his jail cell in 1877, Kehoe wrote, “I would sooner die than swear a willful lie on my fellow man” (Kehoe