Another song about the Molly Maguires is called "ALEXANDER" by Adrian M. Bianconi, who performs under the name Dr. B. He is from Wilkes Barre, Pa. and this song appears on his album "A Pennsylvania Homecoming". It is about Alex Campbell, one of the Mollys who was hung in the old Jail at Mauch Chunck (now Jim Thorpe). Unlike the others, he protested his innocence to the very end. He placed his hand print on the wall of cell #17 which he occupied and it remains there to this very day, despite the efforts of 4 successive wardens to plaster it over and eradicate it. Here are the lyrics.

I'm an immigrant here from Ireland
And on this wall I will lay my hand
As long as these prison walls will stand
You'll gaze upon my mark
It's a curse I place right before your eyes
It's my protest to my hanging high
I'm innocent of this heinous crime
My mark is your disgrace

(CHORUS) It doesn't matter if I live or die
What really matters is the reason why
I'm innocent and I'll tell no lie
You've made a big mistake
There's more to this than can meet the eye
I swear to you I have an alibi
'Cause I've been framed by another guy
And now my life you'll take

Alexander Campbell is my name
A poor saloon keeper is my fame
I started off in the mining game
A slave of your embrace
I never heard of this man named Jones
I swear it to you upon my bones
Why don't you leave me all alone
I pray for God's good grace

My legacy will live on and on
You won't forget me the day I'm gone
I curse this county that did me wrong
And this I do decree
I love my wife who did love me long
I grieve for her because I am strong
I'll face your gallows with this song
Good-bye cell seventeen

The music and lyrics were both written by Adrian Mark Bianconi and copyrighted by him in 1997. The sheet music and recording is available from Morning Lace Music Publishing Company at 1091 Scott Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18705. Phone is (570)826-1564 or you can e-mail him at ambphd@aol.com SOL ZELLER