The Strike in the Coal Mines - Meeting of Molly M'Guire Men - Original

'The Strike in the Coal Mines - Meeting of Molly M'Guire Men".' From Harper's Weekly, January 31, 1874.
The text on the next page (of questionable accuracy) reads:
COAL MINERS’ STRIKE

The extensive strike among the Pennsylvania coal miners, consequent upon the proposed re­duction in the rates of payment, brings into special prominence their powerful organization, known as the “ Molly M'Guire Secret Society,” which for several years has exerted a widely ramifying influence among them. The coal­fields of Pennsylvania are entirely under its con­trol, and its branches extend into other States where coal is found. All the miners, with very few exceptions, belong to this society, .and obey the edicts of their elected officers with a blind fidelity. It is difficult to give an exact state­ment of its numbers, but it is sufficiently strong to have brought the coal companies to terms many times, in spite of the most powerful com­binations.Through this secret society strikes are organ­ized and put in execution, and woe to the miner who refuses to comply with the order of the council. Warnings come first, then threats; if the daring miner still disobeys, he is formally sentenced to death, and the sentence is carried out unless averted by submission. So many ac­cidents occur in mines that a miner may be made away with without exciting the suspicion of foul play.The meetings of the Molly M'Guire men are held secretly. Some secluded field or house is selected for the purpose, guards are posted at suitable distances from the place of gathering, and no person not belonging to the society is al­lowed to approach. Our illustration on page 105 shows such a meeting in a deserted mine, or “ caved-in work,” as the miners call it. It is not surprising that the miners should form such an organization as the best means in their knowledge of resisting the oppressive conditions which the coal companies often seek to impose upon them; but no measures could be too severe to compel them to refrain from the violence and murder to which they so often resort. So great is the terror the society excites that not a jury could be found in the mining regions to give a verdict against a member who was known to have committed murder. When a miner is to be put out of the way, a member is chosen by lot for the dark deed, and it is performed with­out flinching. The miner on whom the lot falls knows that he will have the services of the best counsel should he be put on trial, and that, should the worst happen, his family will be well taken care of.

'The Strike in the Coal Mines - Meeting of Molly M'Guire Men".' From Harper's Weekly, January 31, 1874.
The text on the next page (of questionable accuracy) reads:
COAL MINERS’ STRIKE

The extensive strike among the Pennsylvania coal miners, consequent upon the proposed re­duction in the rates of payment, brings into special prominence their powerful organization, known as the “ Molly M'Guire Secret Society,” which for several years has exerted a widely ramifying influence among them. The coal­fields of Pennsylvania are entirely under its con­trol, and its branches extend into other States where coal is found. All the miners, with very few exceptions, belong to this society, .and obey the edicts of their elected officers with a blind fidelity. It is difficult to give an exact state­ment of its numbers, but it is sufficiently strong to have brought the coal companies to terms many times, in spite of the most powerful com­binations.Through this secret society strikes are organ­ized and put in execution, and woe to the miner who refuses to comply with the order of the council. Warnings come first, then threats; if the daring miner still disobeys, he is formally sentenced to death, and the sentence is carried out unless averted by submission. So many ac­cidents occur in mines that a miner may be made away with without exciting the suspicion of foul play.The meetings of the Molly M'Guire men are held secretly. Some secluded field or house is selected for the purpose, guards are posted at suitable distances from the place of gathering, and no person not belonging to the society is al­lowed to approach. Our illustration on page 105 shows such a meeting in a deserted mine, or “ caved-in work,” as the miners call it. It is not surprising that the miners should form such an organization as the best means in their knowledge of resisting the oppressive conditions which the coal companies often seek to impose upon them; but no measures could be too severe to compel them to refrain from the violence and murder to which they so often resort. So great is the terror the society excites that not a jury could be found in the mining regions to give a verdict against a member who was known to have committed murder. When a miner is to be put out of the way, a member is chosen by lot for the dark deed, and it is performed with­out flinching. The miner on whom the lot falls knows that he will have the services of the best counsel should he be put on trial, and that, should the worst happen, his family will be well taken care of.