Molly Maguires

in Irish history, a secret association of tenants to resist the collection of rents. The original society was organized in 1843. Rent collectors were intimidated, and, where that was not enough, they were ducked in horseponds, whipped, stabbed, or shot in the back. A number of executions took place, but it was difficult to obtain testimony. A witness was pretty sure to feel the vengeance of his neighbors. A rope for his neck and a placard to his back with "Death to traitors," was apt to be his reward. The society went down with the disappearance of the evil it was designed to meet. In 1877 a Molly Maguire Society was formed by the Irish coal miners of Pennsylvania. It has the reputation of having been a murder society from start to finish. It terrorized the coalfields for twenty years. The Mollies appear to have been an outgrowth of hoodlumism without any saving motive, such as a desire to benefit workingmen. Twelve cold-blooded murders and many attempts at assassination were traced to the association. A detection and execution of enough members to root the association out of existence. See Absentee; Ireland