Molly Maguires was the popular name for members of a secret society of immigrant Irish coal miners in the United States. Their name was based on a legendary Irish heroine who supposedly led a revolt of peasant farmers against rent collectors in the 1600’s. The members of the secret society occasionally dressed in women’s clothing to surprise their enemies. The society took part in violent labor conflicts between mine owners and workers in Pennsylvania during the 1870’s. The group was accused of using murder and terror against its enemies. Ten members convicted of murder were executed on June 21, 1877.
