Jack H Bailey was an American author known for his critically acclaimed novels “The Number Two Man” and “The Icarus Complex.”  He was an annual participant in the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition which is sponsored by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.  His newest book is “Orchard: A Novel,” a historical fiction novel based on the life of Albert Edward Horsley, best known by the pseudonym Harry Orchard.  Orchard was a miner and assassin convicted of the 1905 assassination of former Idaho Governor Frank Steuneberg.  Bailey is descended from gold miners and grew up in and around the locales frequented by Harry Orchard.  He became interested in the life of Harry Orchard while living in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, the site of a labor strike where Orchard was known to be involved.

“Orchard: A Novel” is set in the year 1899 when Harry Orchard is a member of the Western Federation of Miners.  The Western Federation of Miners was a radical labor union known for its militancy in the mines of the western United States and British Columbia.  He is paid to kill men who have become a problem for the union.  Even though he is a killer he is well liked by his peers and the ladies.  By the time he is finally arrested by the legendary Pinkerton Charles Siringo he has killed nineteen men in Colorado and Idaho.  The story ends with his confession in which he implicates three leaders of the Western Federation of Miners: Charles Moyer, William Haywood and Charles Pettibone.

The author does an excellent job of shedding light on a subject and time period that is seldom talked about.  Life at the turn of the nineteenth century was difficult for those involved in mine work.  Harry Orchard is a well developed and multidimensional character.  Even though he is a hired killer he is also well liked by some of the townspeople, some even going out of their way to help him when he is injured in a shootout.  He becomes an anti hero of sorts when he tries to help Amy, a local woman, and her brother and is upset when she gets killed.  The action is fast paced and easy to follow.  “Orchard: A Novel” is recommended for fans of historical fiction, especially those interested in labor union history.

*Disclaimer: A copy of this book was given for an honest review.  The opinions expressed in this article are solely the author’s.