- 0:15:75 Tavern
- Frazier: A run at the cards?
James McParlan (a.k.a. McKenna): Nothing against it.
Thomas Dougherty: Pay out a penny.
McParlan: Nickel on a pair.
Frazier: Nothing like a bit of music to make you forget the troubles of the day.
McParlan: Ee's out of tune.
Frazier: Poor old Scot. Can't tell the difference. Deaf as a post since a load of coal fell on him in 56.
Dougherty: Ya visiting ere?
McParlan: Nah, I'm looking for a job.
Dougherty: In the mines?
Frazier: Tens. In the mines?
McParlan: Right.
Dougherty: Well, you're hands'll say you've never dug coal before in this life.
McParlan: Right again.
Dougherty: Can ya spare us a nickel?
McParlan: No. Mine for the nickel?
Dougherty: Beats me.
Frazier: It's your deal. Terrible hard work down there, you know? Not the type of work a man comes seeking -- with hands like yours.
McParlan: Well they're the only hands I've got.
Frazier: You're cheatin. (beat -- pause) You're cheatin.
McParlan: You're mistaken.
Dougherty: I saw you too. Dealin' from the bottom of the deck.
McParlan: I'd've dealt myself a better hand than that.
Frazier: You cheated.
McParlan: Well, there's no need for the false accusations if it's a brawl you want. So which one of you do I get?
(Frazier hits McParlan; a fight ensues; Captain Davies enters and knocks McParlan across the head with his stick)
- 0:19:20 Captain Davies Police Compound
- Davies: Sorry I hit you so hard. It was important to make it look real. More sympathy for you, that way, make it easier for you to accept you. Nothing personal. Well, you've made a good start. The fight was a clever idea. They'll respect you know. That's all they respect around here. A blow and a hard hand. This gang's crazy, McParlan. They lost a strike, see, and they think they can win what they lost with the gunpowder.
McParlan: That's not crazy. It's only Irish.
Davies: I don't find it amusing.
McParlan: Well, you're Welsh, captain.
Davies: Now, we know that there is an organization. The Ancient Order of Hibernians.
McParlan: What of them? They're legal. The Irish looking out for their own.
Davies: Ah, but inside them is another bunch, using the Hibernians as cover. They call themselves the Molly Maguires. Named after some gang of cut-throats back in Ireland. They are all over the coal fields. They sent them agents in other mines and two of them found at the bottom of shafts and one never found at all. It's your turn here.
McParlan: I'll do the job for ya.
Davies: The leaders. That's who I want. I think they're here, right here in this very town. But thinking is not enough. I've got to get them red-handed.
McParlan: Oh, you'll have them.
Davies: You treat them lightly, you'll end up like my other men.
McParlan: I didn't volunteer to fail. I've failed enough already in this country. The streets haven't exactly been paved with gold for me. I've had my share of empty pockets, captain. I'm tired of being at the bottom of the barrel. I'm tired of always looking up. I want to look down.
Davies: I want the Molly Maguires. You just bring me the evidence. That's your job. Bring me the evidence so we can hang the bastards. I'll let you out in the morning.
- 0:25:29 Coal Super's Office -- Rainy Day
- McParlan: I'm looking for work.
Super: Any experience?
McParlan: A bit.
Super: Where you from?
McParlan: Here. There.
Super: Well, you look strong enough. Five o'clock tomorrow morning.
McParlan: Five o'clock.
Super: Make sure you report sober.
- 0:33:20 Miner's Pay Line -- Day
- Super: Total wages for the week 3 dollars and eighty five cents. Next.
McParlan: McKenna.
Super: Ah, aye, McKenna. Coal mined fourteen cars at sixty-six cents a car. Total nine dollars and twenty four cents. Deduct, two kegs of powder at two dollars and fifty cents a keg, five dollars. Two kegs of oil at ninety cents a keg, one dollar eighty. Repair two broken drills, thirty cents. Pick-ax, shovel, cap and lantern, one dollar ninety. Total deductions nine dollars. Total wages for the week, twenty four cents. Next. (beat) Next. (beat)
Brian McAndrew: Brian McAndrew.
Super: McAndrew. Coal mined thirty cars at sixty six cents a car. Ninteen dollars and eighty cents. Deduct, three kegs of powder at two dollars and fifty cents, seven dollars and fifty cents. Ground rental for a home, two dollars. Groceries, two dollars and eighty cents.
- 0:43:16 Colliery Path to Village -- Post Work Day
- McParlan: Making it a choice between getting killed and a little information, well, I'm wanted for shoving the queer.
John ‘Black Jack' Kehoe: What else?
McParlan: Well, that's a belly full right there. They put you in jail for passing home made money.
Kehoe: Well, there're better places to hide than down a coal mine.
McParlan: Well, it's deep.
Kehoe: Another week down there, and you'll be greeting prison like it's a hotel. Try another tale.
McParlan: I'm wanted for killing a man in Buffalo, New York.
Kehoe: Why did you kill him?
McParlan: Does it matter? I didn't mean for it to kill him. We fought over a woman, and I hit him too hard.
Kehoe: His woman or yours?
McParlan: I'm not one for possesions.
Kehoe: If the police already had you, why did they let you go?
McParlan: They didn't know who they had. The Coal and Iron Police. They're a bit short sighted to somebody who doesn't have any powder in his pocket. So, now you see why I'm anxious for privacy. It's not just the jail I'm looking to avoid. It's the hangman.
- 0:46:36 Mines -- Lunch Break
- Dougherty: There's only one sure way of finding out. Turn him in.
McAndrew: Suppose he's telling the truth. It's a terrible thing to have on your conscience.
Frazier: Sooner that than having him a spy turning us in.
McAndrew: You only want revenge for the way he thrashed ya.
Frazier: The bastard wouldn't stay down, I give him credit for that.
McAndrew: We have no proof he's a spy.
Dougherty: We've no proof he's not.
Frazier: Old man Raines says he's been asking questions.
McAndrew: Well, what would you be doin' in a strange town, besides looking for a pint of beer and a fight?
Kehoe: I don't care if he's a murderer. But if we turn him in and he's a spy --
Frazier: Then we're through worrying.
Kehoe: Until they send someone else.
Frazier: Then we'll take him too.
Kehoe: No, no, they'll just keep sending others. We can't keep them out. It's the same at every pit I've been at. If it's not him, it'll be another.
Dougherty: What do you say now? We just roll over?
Kehoe: Nobody's rolling over. We did that once.
McAndrew: That's not all we did. We stayed out six months. Nobody's ever done that before, stayed out of a mine six months.
Kehoe: And then we went back.
Dougherty: It was the bloody troops.
Kehoe: It took less but we were getting' worn out.
Frazier: We had to think of the kids.
Kehoe: Look, we crawled. They cracked a whip and we crawled. We tried it peaceful and ended up on our knees beggin' for the work.
McAndrew: We lost the battle, Jack. We'll win the war.
Kehoe: Oh, I don't know what the hell we'll win but I'll tell you what we'll do. We won't turn him in. Cause if he's on the square, what's the last thing to do? But if he's a spy, then we take care of ourselves.
McAndrew: So we show im that we business, is that it Jack?
Dougherty: Ain't nothin simpler than that. Don't push im out of the way the next time.
Kehoe: He's a clever one. He can give his hand. He's too smart for that. There's only one way to make sure.
McAndrew: How Jack? How?
Kehoe: Use him.
- 0:55:44 Mines -- Post Work Day / Secret Meeting
- Captain Davies: Who did it?
McParlan: Did what?
Davies: Don't play games with me. There's one of my men in the hospital with his jaw broken in two places. Who put him there?
McParlan: I did. Nothing personal. Important to make it look real. They were testing me out.
Davies: I don't like losing good men.
McParlan: You're lucky he's only in the hospital. I saw what he did to Dougherty. Whatever I gave him, he had it coming. (beat) Only a rat. You get used to them down here.
Davies: Who did the shooting?
McParlan: Gomer James. A Tamaqua man. Welsh.
Davies: Will Dougherty go after him now?
McParlan: He wants to. His pride has been hurt, but they're holding him back.
Davies: Well, you encourage him. The only way we'll get any of them is in the act. We'll put a guard on James.
McParlan: Not too much of a guard. You don't want simple assault. You want murder.
Davies: I take what I get.
McParlan: How would you like to spend the rest of your life down here?
Davies: I tried it when I first came over.
McParlan: How did you get out?
Davies: Made myself useful in other ways.
McParlan: Well, I have got to get out. I'd kill somebody if I couldn't.
Davies: Don't get confused about which side you're on.
McParlan: I could always tell the buttered side from the dry.
- 1:00:22 Mary Raines' House
- Kehoe: Now I'll explain to you the object of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. We are joined together to promote friendship, unity, and true Christian charity among our members. You are expected to all matters a secret in your heart and none if the workings of this society are to be recalled to those not known to be members.
Time cut.
Frazier: That's right, now, that's correct. And what's the answering sign. No, no, the little finger. That's the recognition sign. Oh, then there's the password when you go from one division to another. ‘Will tenant right in Ireland flourish?'
Dougherty: If the people unite and the landlords subdue.
McParlan: If the people unite and the landlords subdue.
McAndrew: And there's plenty of truth in that password. Unity. That's the answer.
Frazier: And then there's the calling word When you're gettin ready to bash a stranger but you first want to make sure he's not one of us. ‘Your temper is high.'
Dougherty: I've good reason.
McParlan: I've good reason.
Frazier: Then you don't have to bash him, see?
McParlan: Not one little nip, Jack, to celebrate a new convert?
Frazier: Oh, he don't touch it himself.
McParlan: Is the drinking to be what you're thinking? Is that it? Well what're you thinking now, Black Jack? That solemn look on your mug?
Kehoe: I'm thinking, you better be what we think you are.
McParlan: I'm what you think I am!
Kehoe: Cause if you're not, there's no hole deep enough for you to hide this time.
McParlan: I'm what you think I am.
- 1:14:33 Frazier's House @ Hiberian Meeting
- Kehoe: We have a friend in the governor's chair now, and we mean to keep him there. So, it's up to you all to get out there and get the vote.
Dougherty: Politicians. They sell their mother for a vote.
Kehoe: The governor grants pardons. You could be needing one someday. Now, the raffle for Barny Baffler's widow. You got the prize Donald?
Donald: I've got it.
Kehoe: Alright, see that the tickets are sold a penny a piece, and she'll benefit from it. Any new business? Alright, the next meeting is two weeks from tonight. At whose house? Kerrigan.
Kerrigan: Alright.
Kehoe: Well, that's it then. I declare this meeting of the Ancient Order of Hibernians adjourned. Good night all.
All: Good night, Jack.
Frazier: Stay a bit, why don't you? Unless you're bleedin' to get back to your landlady?
McAndrew: How's the hand?
McParlan: Better.
McAndrew: Well, don't let on too quick that it's healed. They'll send you right back down, you know?
Kehoe: Alright. We had a request from Shenandoah. The superintendent's been giving them trouble.
McAndrew: What kind of trouble?
Kehoe: Oh, the usual. Firing without cause, lowering wages. He's young, looking to make a good impression, and we've been asked to make an impression on him.
McParlan: I joined to Hibernians. All things loyal and not otherwise, remember? I took an oath.
Kehoe: This isn't the Hibernians.
McParlan: Why can't they do it themselves?
Kehoe: Well, if they're seen, they'll be recognized. But, there, nobody knows us.
McParlan: He'll be surrounded by peelers. A new boss throwing his weight around. They know he's asking for it.
Dougherty: Well, then, we'll get him when they don't expect.
McParlan: We stand a hell of a risk for a quarrel that isn't ours.
McAndrew: They're miners like us and they're Irishmen. They have the same heel in their neck as we have. It's all one quarrel.
Frazier: They'd do the same for us if we asked.
McParlan: I do my own quarreling. I don't ask anyone else.
Kehoe: You're not on your own now.
Dougherty: They want him killed or only bashed?
Kehoe: Killed.
Frazier: Well, he sounds deserving.
Kehoe: I'm against it. Give him a good bashing, he'll get a drift from that soon enough. And a superintendent's not worth hanging.
Dougherty: Ah, what goods a bashing. He'll be back worse than before.
McAndrew: Give him a bashing so he won't come back. Do it right, won't end up on the gallows.
Dougherty: You end up on the gallows or coughing your lungs out in the pit what the hell's the difference?
McParlan: It's the coarse feel of the rope I don't like.
Kehoe: We'll take a vote.
Dougherty: I for killing.
McAndrew: I say let's bash him. See what he learns from it.
Dougherty: That kind don't learn! On our backs is where they make their impression. They're past learning lessons, I say dispose of him.
Frazier: I'm for that too.
Kehoe: I vote bashin' him.
McParlan: Well, what happens with a tie?
Kehoe: We tell them we can't take the job, and they give it out elsewhere.
McAndrew: There's no killing without a majority.
Dougherty: We're a, uh, democratic organization.
McParlan: Well, if this is our quarrel, like you say, we can't have them thinking we're soft.
Kehoe: They can think what they like, how do you vote.
McParlan: Kill the son of a bitch.
- 1:23:51 Police Headquarters / Interrogation Room
- Davies: Take them off the streets and put them in uniform, they're still scum. I had that superintendent protected like a baby.
McParlan: Well, they almost got me if that's any consolation.
Davies: It's not. Who did it?
McParlan: Kehoe. Frazier. Me.
Davies: Ah.
McParlan: How'd did we do?
Davies: He's alive, but not by much. Kehoe's wife, two of her woman friends, say he was with them and the children all day, never left the house. O'Frazier was brawling in the saloon that's how he got winged. Twelve witnesses swear to that. Raines and his daughter say that you were with them, all day.
McParlan: The daughter too? I wasn't quite sure she'd do that.
Davies: Don't credit your charm. Most likely she's one of them. If I could charge Frazier and Kehoe, it would be your word against theirs.
McParlan: Oh, you'll need a little bit more than that.
Davies: Oh, yes. Yes. I need them caught in the act. No chance of an alibi. And not just two of them. I want the organization, I want it smashed. Any bastard who even dreams of making trouble, I want him to wake up seating blood at what happened to the Molly Maguires. Not yet. I can't send you back unmarked.
McParlan: (now clubbed over the head, bleeding) Well, it's a pleasure to see someone who enjoys their work.
- 1:33:03 Frazier and Wife's Funeral
- Father O'Connor: Man's been murdered. He brought it on himself. He who lives by the sword shall perish by the sword. But his wife's dead too and the child's been orphaned. Violence begets violence until the innocent perish with the guilty. Is there any use in my reminding you of that? Or am I just wasting my breath again? Innocent or guilties, we're both children of God. They died victims of a sinful lust for killing. But at least they found their peace. I wish I could say the same for the rest of you.
- 1:34:04 Kehoe's House
- McAndrew: Old lady Reagan. The shots were opened, she looked out the window and she could see them running from the house.
Kehoe: And she was certain they were peelers?
McAndrew: She could see the stripes down the sides of their trousers. You figure for that kind of work, they'd at least take off their uniforms.
Kehoe: They want us knowing who they are. They're telling us it don't matter if we know or not. The law is what they say it is.
Dougherty: There's only one way to deal with them. An eye for an eye. Two of them for two of us.
McParlan: Don't be such a bloody fool!
Dougherty: Do you 'ave a better idea?
McParlan: They want you to retaliate.
Dougherty: We'll be happy to ablige.
McParlan: You can't win against them that way, don't you think they know that? They only did it so you'd show yourself.
McAndrew: They murdered Frazier.
McParlan: Gah after the police, now, they'll be waiting for you.
Dougherty: What makes you so bloody sure?
McParlan: I've got experience with that. They'll be waiting. Don't play their games.
McAndrew: Frazier was our friend.
McParlan: Jack. You know what'll happen. You tell them. They'll destroy the lot of us.
Kehoe: They're out to get us one way or the other. They're telling us that too.
McAndrew: We don't go to them, they'll come to us.
Dougherty: Put us down in our beds.
McParlan: Then for God's sake, protect yourself.
Kehoe: They won't stop now. That's the meaning of it. They won't stop, so we can't stop.
McParlan: You won't stop.
Dougherty: We've been battling them for killing us in the pits, you want us to stop now for killing us in our sleep?
McParlan: You don't care what happens? Do you Jack? Even if they did stop, you'd want to go on with this?
Kehoe: There's no where else to go.
McParlan: Knowing we'd all be destroyed?
Dougherty: There's no choice. They've seen to that.
McParlan: You can't win.
Kehoe: I'm finished moving. Pit after pit.
McParlan: You can't win.
Kehoe: I won't move.
- 1:39:05 Mary Raines' House
- Kehoe: Who sent for me?
Mary Raines: He's inside.
Kehoe: The old man?
Mary Raines: There's nothing to do now but wait.
(inside)
Kehoe: Hello, Father.
Father O'Connor: I've just come from Philadelphia. Seen the archbishop there. Dougherty is to be tried for the killing of the superintendent.
Kehoe: He had nothing to do with that.
Father O'Connor: They're calling him an accomplice. I thought the archbishop might use his influence to get the charge reduced. You're the one I blame the most. They believe in you. They listen to you.
Kehoe: Well, the men listen to you too father.
Father O'Connor: Come back to the church, Kehoe.
Kehoe: I never left it.
Father O'Connor: You put yourself outside. Come back while there's still time.
Kehoe: I've tried your way. It's been no help to me.
Father O'Connor: There's grace at the end of it.
Kehoe: Sin at the start. Grace at the end. Bending your head in between. I can't accept that, father.
Father O'Connor: Then you'll die in sin.
Kehoe: What did the archbishop say about Dougherty?
Father O'Connor: Ee's as good as hanged.
Kehoe: There's still the trial. They'll need evidence.
Father O'Connor: They've got the evidence. You've an informer in your midst.
Kehoe: Who?
Father O'Connor: He didn't tell me that.
- 1:53:00 Courtroom
- Orator: The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, for the county of Schuylkill, upon their respective woes and affirmations, do present that John Kehoe, Brian McAndrew, and Thomas Dougherty, an accomplice, with force and arms, and upon one John W. Jones, superintendent of the Shenandoah colliery, did make an assault and with certain pistols made of gunpowder, bullets, and other destructive material, then and there, willfully, feloniously, and of there malice of forethought, did kill and murder the said John W. Jones, contrary to the form of the act of the general assembly, in such case, made and provided and against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Judge: The commonwealth will proceed.
D.A.: I call the first witness.
Bailiff: Raise your right hand please. Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?
McParlan: I do.
Bailiff: Proceed.
D.A.: What is your full name?
McParlan: James McParlan.
D.A.: What is your occupation?
McParlan: Detective.
Dougherty: (rushing witness) Bastard.
- 1:55:22 Courtroom
- Juror: Guilty.
Judge: The condemned will stand to be sentenced. And now, having been found guilty of the charge of murder in the first degree, this court, sentences you, John Kehoe, Brian McAndrew, Thomas Dougherty, to be confined to the county prison until the date of your execution when you should be hanged by the neck until dead.
- 1:58:55 Jack's Cell
- McParlan: Hello, Jack.
Kehoe: Come in.
McParlan: I wasn't quite sure of your reception.
Kehoe: You're a relief from the cockroaches.
McParlan: You got everything you need?
Kehoe: I could use some powder.
McParlan: I've sworn off since I've left the Mollies.
Kehoe: Have a seat.
McParlan: You still thinking you can do it with powder?
Kehoe: Is that what you're here to ask?
McParlan: No, just curious. I mean, do you think you really could of won? Well, then, why?
Kehoe: You know why as much as me. You worked down there. Could you see yourself not lifting a finger?
McParlan: I wouldn't stay down there. I'd get out.
Kehoe: And where would you find it any different? There's them on top and them below. Push up, push down. Who's got more push, that's all that counts.
McParlan: They always had more.
Kehoe: Well, we had a bit. Not enough. But a bit. Enough to push the bastards a little. And you helped us. You pushed a little yourself.
McParlan: Just part of the job.
Kehoe: And going back for Frazier? You did that on your own, I think.
McParlan: Oh, don't be so sure. It got me in better with you.
Kehoe: And you enjoyed bashing that policeman?
McParlan: Oh, hah, hah, I must admit.
Kehoe: And the fire at the store. I don't think you're working only for them.
McParlan: Ah, it did make a lovely blaze.
Kehoe: You were a man then.
McParlan: Why didn't you stop, Jack? I tried to get you to stop.
Kehoe: Well, they had to nab us sooner or later. I do have one regret, now. They're shipping another shipment of coal this week and I had plans for that one. On a bridge. I'd 'ave blown the bridge and the train, at once. It would've been a sight.
McParlan: I'd've tipped em off.
Kehoe: That's true. Well, I don't regret it so much then.
McParlan: You made your sound, Jack. You've got no regrets there. You used your powder.
Kehoe: Aye. But you didn't come here to chat, Jamie. Nor to ask questions or to say farewell.
McParlan: Well, just leave it that I came then.
Kehoe: No, you came for absolution.
McParlan: Ah, you're not a priest Jack.
Kehoe: You want to freed from what you've done.
McParlan: I'm not that soft.
Kehoe: Oh, you don't want forgivin'. You can get that from a woman. Punishment. That's what you want. You think punishment can set you free. And that's why you've come. Looking for punishment. Well, maybe it's my Christian heart, but I could never stand the sight of a man carrying a cross.
Kehoe: (having been beaten down after attacking McParlan) Are you free now? Have I set you free for a grand new life?
McParlan: I'm obliged to you.
Kehoe: You'll never be free. There's no punishment this side of hell can free you from what you did.
McParlan: See you in hell.
