by Laurel | February 27th, 2012
25 February 1917
Thomas J. Mooney, former Holyoker
Holyoke Man May Appeal
May 17 Date Set for Execution of Thomas J. Mooney, Found Guilty for Bomb Explosion.
Thomas J. Mooney, a labor agitator, was sentenced yesterday to death by hanging, by Judge Franklin A. Griffin in the superior court at San Francisco, for a bomb explosion that cost 10 lives during a preparedness parade at San Francisco last July. Mooney was convicted of murder two weeks ago. Judge Griffin set May 17 for the execution, An appeal will be taken from Judge Griffin’s refusal to grant a new trial, Mooney’s counsel said.
Thomas J. Mooney is a native of Holyoke and for a number of years was employed as a coremaker at the Deane steam pump works. He became interested in socialism and several years ago attended a convention of the socialists in Europe. During his stay across the water he visited Ireland and a letter which he wrote regarding his visit to the Emerald Isle, cause considerable wrath in the Paper City.Threats were freely made for a time of what would happen to him after his return. At this time his residence was at 41 Samosett Street in ward 2, where he lived with his mother, Mrs. Mary Mooney, his brother and sister, John and Mary. The family moved to San Francisco, California, in 1911.
Mooney was an expert dancer and attended most of the social events of this nature in Holyoke, he seemed to be unassuming and pleasant to meet and while in Holyoke gave no impression of taking up militant policies as a profession. Many of his Holyoke friends believe that he is he victim of circumstantial evidence and is being punished for a crime of which he is guiltless.
From The Springfield Republican, image public domain from Wikipedia.
