Molly Maguires

Molly Maguires, secret society of Irish-Americans in the Pennsylvania coal-mining area, 1862–75. The name was borrowed from an Irish anti-landlord organization. Their purpose was to help miners in resisting oppressive conditions and intimidation by mine owners, but they frequently resorted to violence against private police hired by owners. In 1875 the organization was broken by Pinkerton agents who infiltrated the group. Twenty members were executed by hanging.