Early ALS signed “Wm. H. Taft,” three pages, 5 x 8, March 20, 1880. Handwritten letter to Franklin B. Gowen, president of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad Company, in part: “I am to write a paper for the Literary Club of this city on the ‘Mollie Maguires.’ I have Mr. Davie’s work on the subject which has been of great assistance to me. I understand that you have either written or supervised a work on this same subject. I should like to obtain this work if possible. For, certainly, no one could write with more knowledge of the subject than you to whom more than anyone else, the state of Pennsylvania and the county at large are indebted for the extermination of that bloody set of villains.” In fine condition, with scattered light soiling.
Inspired by a figure in Irish folklore who was said to avenge injustices committed against the Irish Catholic community, the Molly Maguires were a secret society or organization that existed in the anthracite coal mining regions of Pennsylvania during the 19th century. The Molly Maguires emerged during a time of harsh working conditions and labor disputes in the coal mines, with several members accused of murder, arson, kidnapping, and other crimes, in part based on allegations by Franklin B. Gowen and the testimony of a Pinkerton detective, James McParland. Fellow prisoners testified against the defendants, who were arrested by the Coal and Iron Police, with Gowen acting as a prosecutor in some of the trials.
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