[Small Archive]: United Mine Workers of America Commission Signed by John L. Lewis to W.A. "Tough Tony" Boyle, future president of the UMWA and the convicted murderer of Joseph Yablonski, with related material

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Unbound. A small archive of documents pertaining to the organized labor career of W.A. "Tough Tony" Boyle. John L. Lewis, one of America's great power brokers during his long life, became acting president of The United Mine Workers of America in 1919. He finally retired in 1960 and was succeeded by Thomas Anderson, himself quite elderly and in failing health. When Anderson died three years later, William Anthony Boyle took over the UMWA. "Tough Tony" Boyle consolidated the powers of the union president and was involved in widespread corruption. In 1969 Pennsylvania union leader Joseph Yablonski created a credible challenge to Boyle but ultimately lost, and was murdered with his wife and daughter a few days after the election. Boyle was convicted of ordering the murder and died in prison in 1985. Hollywood revisited the crime in the 1986 HBO film *Act of Vengeance* with Wilford Brimley portraying Boyle and Charles Bronson as Yablonski. Further details available upon request.

Item #83635

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Item #83635 [Small Archive]: United Mine Workers of America Commission Signed by John L. Lewis to W.A. "Tough Tony" Boyle, future president of the UMWA and the convicted murderer of Joseph Yablonski, with related material. John L. LEWIS.