The news of the increasing violence reaches the Barkleys in Stockton. As a former miner himself Heath requests to take Jarrod up on his suggestion to ride into Lonesome and assess the situation before it degenerates into bloodshed.

           

Heath takes out a bill of twenty for information about the strikers’ demands and their intentions. She agrees to set up a meeting with the head of the society.

           

Returning to his hotel, Heath meets with the head of the Molly McGuires society who turns out to his old friend, Dion O’Doole (Sherwood Price). He states cut wages and pitiful working conditions as the main reasons for the strike. Heath approves of their demands but not of their tactics that have already cost a man’s life. Instead of fomenting violence, Heath suggests forming a committee to act as arbitrator That or allow him to discuss the matter with each disgruntled miner to hopefully come up with a solution that will benefit both parties.

Dion meets with his right-hand man Paddy the Ghoul (John McLiam) to set up a meeting with the rest of the group in order to discuss Heath’s suggestion.

           

In the hush of night, Brydie sneaks into Heath’s hotel room to warn him about the Molly McGuires coming to hang him. After receiving a thank-you kiss from her winsome prince, Brydie brings him to her cabin where he meets with her invalid father Tim Hanrihan (Brendan Dillon), a surly man bent on revenge against Tom Barkley and his heirs for promises unfulfilled.

           

Heath irrupts in the room and starts smudging Tom Barkley’s name for promises he never honored in Lonesome. He explains that The Molly McGuires is a secret society made up of angry miners who are striking against the Barkleys to get what they are entitled for: better living conditions, decent wages, good housing and security for elders among other commitments. Seeing her son thrash his own father infuriates Victoria who gives Jarrod the green light to fight Samuel Hummel for everything he’s got.

           

After witnessing a bloody assault on the Chinese workers, Murdoch agrees to sign his five thousand shares over to the Barkleys in order to put them over the top.

           

Jack Tolliver (Bing Russell) grants pallbearers access to the cemetery, unaware that O’Doole is hiding inside the casket with a few sticks of dynamite.

           

     

           

Days later, the miners return to work with promises of better working conditions and decent wages the way Tom Barkley would have wanted it. Heath says good bye to Brydie who intents to make a fresh start in San Francisco.