John Boucher

Boucher is a Milton workingman with a large family. He is an acquaintance of Higgins, and constantly tells him of his anxieties about supporting his family. Boucher is disdainful of the Union, believing the committee’s strike won’t help workers. Instead, he becomes the ringleader of the riot that takes place at Thornton’s mill, threatening violence if wages aren’t increased. When this fails, it gives Boucher a terrible reputation amongst the mill-owners, and he isn’t able to receive employment. Boucher commits suicide by drowning himself, leaving behind an ill wife and six children.