Month: February 2021

Hellraisers Journal: Williamson, West Virginia-Girl Relatives Testify Against Defendants at Matewan Murder Trial

Janet RayeBattle of Blair Mountain of 1921
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Quote Sid Hatfield, re Gunthugs n Right to Organize, Altoona Tb Lbr Ns p10, Sept 3, 1920———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 18, 1921
Williamson, West Virginia – Daughter of Defendant Testifies for State

From the Baltimore Sun of February 13, 1921:

Matewan Trial, Chambers n Chafin Testify, Blt Sun p1, Feb 13, 1921

By John W. Owens.
Staff Correspondent of The Sun.

Williamson, W. Va., Feb. 12.-The taking of testimony for the prosecution in the trial of Sid Hatfield and others for the Matewan killings was started finally today, after weeks of fighting over preliminaries and was sufficiently dramatic to warrant the lurid predictions that have been made since the indictments were returned and to justify what has been written about the feudist spirit of the people of these hills.

AGAINST OWN FATHER.
[And Brother]

When court adjourned, shortly before noon, the daughter of one of the men on trial for murder [and sister of another] was on the stand for the prosecution, smilingly giving testimony which the prosecution hopes to pass as a foundation for its contention that Albert Felts and six other Baldwin-Felts detectives were killed at Matewan on May 19 as the result of deliberate and premeditated murder plans. The girl witness had been preceded by another girl, her cousin, and the niece of the girl’s father, whose testimony was offered to the same end.

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Hellraisers Journal: From the Spokane Industrial Worker: Agitate, Educate, Organize and Fight for the Eight Hour Day

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Albert Parsons, Chicago, Nov 11, Alarm p1, Nov 19, 1887———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 17, 1911
Industrial Workers of the World Declares Fight On for Eight Hour Day

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of February 16, 1911:

Masthead, Fight f 8HD, IW p1, Feb 16, 1911

—–

CRTN Fight f 8HD, IW p1, Feb 16, 1911

—–

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Spokane Industrial Worker: Agitate, Educate, Organize and Fight for the Eight Hour Day” →

Hellraisers Journal: Striking Silk Mill Girls of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Want Counsel and Good Advice of Mother Jones

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Fight n Keep On, Hzltn Pln Spkr p4, Nov 15, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday February 16, 1901
Scranton, Pennsylvania – Striking Silk Mill Girls Await Mother Jones

From the Philadelphia Times of February 14, 1901:

HdLn Mother Jones to Help Scranton Silk Strikers, Phl Tx p4, Feb 14, 1901

Special Telegram to The Times.

Scranton, February 13.

“Mother” Jones did not arrive in the city to-day, contrary to expectations, but her presence is expected at almost any time, and the strikers are anxiously looking forward to the time when they will have her counsels and good advice.

While not admitting that the noted leader had been summoned to visit the city, they will not deny that she is coming here, and that she will assist them. One of the local papers to-night confirms the exclusive story published in The Times this morning to the effect that the woman would be here.

There is no sign of a break to-night, and several enthusiastic meetings of the girls from the various mills were held at different places this afternoon. There are no new developments in the strike, although the girls are feeling very good over the fact that they have won their first battle in preventing the manufacturers from having what raw material they had on hand woven at outside mills, and in that manner saving themselves from any material loss in having the mills shut down.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Striking Silk Mill Girls of Scranton, Pennsylvania, Want Counsel and Good Advice of Mother Jones” →

Hellraisers Journal: Mother Jones Coming to Scranton to Help Striking Silk Mill Girls; Her Arrival Anxiously Awaited

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Fight n Keep On, Hzltn Pln Spkr p4, Nov 15, 1900———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 15, 1901
Scranton, Pennsylvania – Mother Jones Coming to Help Striking Silk Mill Girls

From the Philadelphia Times of February 13, 1901:

Mother Jones to Help Silk Mill Girls of Scranton, Phl Tx p4, Feb

Special Telegram to THE TIMES.

SCRANTON, February 12.

The fact that “Mother” Jones, the woman who was so prominent during the great anthracite strike last fall, is coming here to help the striking silk mill girls, has served to give a new impetus to the young women and their supporters. To-day everything was quiet here, but underneath the surface could be seen a suppressed excitement and “Mother” Jones’ arrival is very anxiously awaited.

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Hellraisers Journal: From the Appeal to Reason: Court Crookedness in Fresno by Comrade Mrs. W. F. (Emma) Little

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Frank Little, Fresno Jails Dungeons, FMR p6, Sept 2, 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday February 14, 1911
Fresno, California – 94 Free Speech Fighters in Bullpen, 47×28 Feet

From the Appeal to Reason of February 11, 1911:

Court Crookedness in Fresno
———–

CRTN Fresno FSF Engine v Bull, IW p1, Jan 19, 1911

Some time ago the APPEAL printed a story about the fight on free speech at Fresno, signed by Mrs. W. F. [Emma] Little, a comrade of that city. The story resulted in Mrs. H. H. Roberts, of Connecticut, getting trace of a relative who had engaged in the fight and who was in jail at Fresno. F. W. Boyle, of Humboldt, Kan., and A. F. Boyle, of Dunneweg, Mo., also discovered that their cousin, Frank Little, was one of the prisoners of the free speech fight. The result has been a protest from various sections of the United States. It would be well for all acquainted with these parties and others to write to the chief of police and the police judge and the mayor of Fresno protesting against the imprisonment of these people. Following are some further facts furnished the Appeal relative to the fight by Comrade Mrs. Little:

Before the I. W. W. was organized at all the chief of police told my husband, “You mustn’t organize the common workers, for we have a raisin crop here that must be handled cheap. A painter belonging to the painters’ union here gets $4 a day and works eight hours. A man digging a ditch or picking raisins gets $1.50 to $2 a day and work ten hours. Both are out of work a good deal of the time.

In spite of the chief of police and his cheap raisin crop, my husband did his best to organize the common workers in the I. W. W., and shortly after a small local was formed. For some reason the chief of police got the idea into his head that the workers wouldn’t join the I. W. W. anyway, so he graciously allowed us to speak on the street. The chief was mistaken, and our local grew from fifteen to over a hundred in a couple of weeks. Then the chief took our permit to speak on the streets away from us. He informed my husband that he knew where his bread and butter came from.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Appeal to Reason: Court Crookedness in Fresno by Comrade Mrs. W. F. (Emma) Little” →

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for January 1901, Part III: Found in Indianapolis Speaking on Evils of Child Labor in Pennsylvania

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones re School for Little Breaker Boys, Ipl Ns p3, Jan 29, 1901———-

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday February 13, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for January 1901, Part III
Found Speaking in Indianapolis on Evils of Child Labor in Pennsylvania

From the Indianapolis Sunday Journal of January 27, 1901:

Mother Jones, at Her Lecture Stand, Detail Crpd, Phl Iq p1, Sept 24, 1900

“Mother” Jones and Mr. Debs.

Eugene V. Debs and “Mother” Jones will deliver public addresses in the Criminal Court room to-morrow night. Mrs. Jones will speak especially to the women, and particularly to women who belong to labor or trades organizations. To-morrow afternoon Mr. Debs will speak to the miners at their convention.

———-

[Photograph added.]

From The Indianapolis Journal of January 29, 1901:

OFFICERS’ REPORT 
[-from Miners’ Convention]

In the afternoon many resolutions, principally of importance to the miners only, were passed then the committee on officers’ reports was heard. After some discussion the report was adopted by sections. Of important bearing was the adoption of President Mitchell’s recommendation to organize a woman’s auxiliary union. The convention adopted the recommendation and gave the power of appointing an organizer to President Mitchell. It is understood that “Mother” Jones will be appointed organizer…..

———-

DOWN IN THE COAL MINES.
———–
“Mother” Jones Graphically Describes
Child Labor In Pennsylvania.

“Mother” Jones addressed a meeting of mine workers and their friends in the Criminal Court room last evening on the subject of “Employment of Child Labor in the Mines.” Although her address was primarily intended to be in the interest of the miners, she made a general plea for all branches of labor. Quite a number of working girls were present and the eloquent appeals made in their behalf met with hearty applause from them. The speaker described the condition which prevails among the breaker boys of the mines of Pennsylvania, where boys of eleven years work thirteen hours a day for a wage scale of 1 cent an hour.

The miners and their families, she declared, are the helpless slaves of the great combinations of capital and the operators who own and control the mines. In those regions when a child is born, the day is eagerly looked forward to when he will be old enough to do a day’s work, and when that day arrives he is taken by his father to the operator of the mine, to whom his services are offered for a pittance. Some of the worst details of the present system were gone into and the need of organization among all the miners of the country was strongly urged.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for January 1901, Part III: Found in Indianapolis Speaking on Evils of Child Labor in Pennsylvania” →

Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for January 1901, Part II: Found Speaking at Convention of United Mine Workers of America

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Mother Jones, Love Each Other, UMWC Ipl IN, Jan 25, 1901———-

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday February 12, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for January 1901, Part II
Found Speaking in Indianapolis at Mine Workers’ Convention

From The Indianapolis Journal of January 26, 1901:

“Mother” Jones Heard

Mother Jones, at Her Lecture Stand, Detail, Phl Iq p1, Sept 24, 1900At the opening of the afternoon session [January 25th, United Mine Workers Convention], Henry J. Skifington [Skeffington], of the Boot and Shoe Makers’ Union, addressed the convention and urged the delegates to buy none but union made shoes. Following his address, “Mother” Jones spoke. The work of Mrs. Jones among the miners is known to every miner in the country and her appearance was the signal for loud and prolonged applause. She addressed the delegates as “fellow-toilers.” She said the miners had wisely chosen the month of January for holding their convention, as it is the intermediate month between the closing of the year and the opening of spring. It was appropriate, she said, to use this opportunity to look behind and to the front.

The review of experiences of the past should be applied to preparations for the future, and the work of the miners should not be entirely for the present, but foundation should be laid for coming generations. Her pointed and witty expressions caused many outbursts of laughter and her ability to appeal to the deeper feelings was equally as effective with the delegates. When “Mother” Jones wished to say something she said it and spared none, but even members of the organization to whom she said: “if the shoe fits you must wear it.” Mrs. Jones is a Socialist and an ardent admirer of Eugene V. Debs, and she could not refrain from paying a tribute to both.

PATRICK DOLAN’S REMARKS.

At the close of her speech Patrick Dolan, of Pennsylvania, sought the floor to take objections to what Mrs. Jones had said about Debs. He said while he had the highest respect for “Mother” Jones, he did not think Debs was the only man who ever did anything for labor. So slow was he in making his point that many delegates arose to a point of order and tried to have him seated, but President Mitchell was lenient and gave him further time to express himself. The convention became noisy in an attempt to force him to his seat, but it was some time before it could be accomplished……

By vote an invitation was extended to Eugene V. Debs to address the miners while in session here, and it was later announced he will speak Monday afternoon.

———-

[Photograph, emphasis and paragraph break added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for January 1901, Part I: Found Visiting Philadelphia and at Mine Workers’ Convention in Indianapolis

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote re Mother Jones, None too low or high, Ipl Jr p3, Jan 21, 1901———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday February 11, 1901
Mother Jones News Round-Up for January 1901, Part I
Found in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Indianapolis, Indiana

From the Wilkes-Barre Weekly Union Leader of January 11, 1901:

What Mother Jones Has to Say
Regarding the Conditions.

Mother Jones, at Her Lecture Stand, Detail, Phl Iq p1, Sept 24, 1900

“Mother” Jones, of coal strike fame, dropped into Philadelphia Monday night and hunted up a few congenial spirits at the Trades Assembly Hall, 931 Callowhill street, says the Philadelphia Times. She is on her way to West Virginia, where she will report to President W. C. Stephenson, of the West Virginia United Mine Workers, for organization work.

The miners of the Mountain State are to be organized during January and February, and the national organization is lending the state organization all possible assistance. The miners along the Kanawha and New rivers are to be unionized first, Mrs. Jones said, after which the organizers will go into the Fairmount district. In regard to conditions in the anthracite field of Pennsylvania Mrs. Jones said:

The miners in the anthracite region are now well satisfied and everything is going along smoothly. The semi-monthly pay law is being gradually put into effect, and other conditions are being rectified. The miners are all joining the unions and new locals are being formed all through the region.

The girls employed in the silk mill at Freeland are still on strike and have formed a union. They are determined to win. At Carbondale and Wilkes-Barre the silk mill operatives are also on strike, and sent for me in both places. I did what I could do to help them, but was not successful. In Wilkes-Barre they struck because the boss demanded that they give up their union cards to him, which they refused to do.

———-

[Photograph added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Whereabouts & Doings of Mother Jones for January 1901, Part I: Found Visiting Philadelphia and at Mine Workers’ Convention in Indianapolis” →

Hellraisers Journal: New York City Longshoremen Protest Torture of Fresno Free Speech Fighters by Fire Department

Janet RayeElizabeth Gurley Flynn
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Quote Acton Speaks Louder, IW p1, Feb 9, 1911———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 10, 1911
New York City – Longshoreman’s Local Protests Torture of Fresno I. W. W.

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of February 9, 1911:

Fresno FSF, Fire Brigade v IWW, IW p1, Feb 9, 1911

FIRE ENGINES NOT FOR TORTURE
———-

NEW YORK LONGSHOREMEN PROTEST AGAINST BRUTALITY OF POLICE AND OTHER LEGALIZED THUGS IN FRESNO-FIRE DEPARTMENTS ARE NOT KEPT FOR EXECUTIONERS.

To the “Industrial Worker.”

We, the members of Local No. 791, International Longshoremen’s Association of New York, hereby enter our protest against the inhuman, un-American and non-constitutional treatment meted out to the members of the I. W. W. by the city government of Fresno, California.

We protest against the curtailment of free speech to one body of men, when the constitutional right is accorded to others freely, especially when the members of the I. W. W. desire simply to discuss industrial matters or make known their views on industrial conditions.

We protest against the methods used to suppress such meetings and discussions and insist that the right of free assemblage be granted to all lawful meetings, whether of an industrial social or religious character.

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Hellraisers Journal: Jack London Calls Himself a “Chicken Thief” -Supports Comrades of Mexican Revolution

Janet RayeHellraisers Journal
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Quote Jack London, Comrades of Mexican Revolution, Sac Str p1, Feb 6, 1911———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday February 9, 1911
Jack London Supports “Dear Brave Comrades of Mexican Revolution”

From The Sacramento Star of February 6, 1911:

JACK LONDON CALLS SELF
CHICKEN-THIEF

Jack London, The Comrade p 122, March 1903

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 6-Friends of Jack London, the author, today are expressing surprise over a communication the writer sent to a gathering of Socialist and Mexican revolt sympathizers here last night in which he proclaimed himself a “chicken thief and a revolutionist.” Although used to the radical socialistic expression of London, his friends say be went further last night than ever before. His letter to the meeting follows:

To the dear, brave comrades of the Mexican revolution:

We Socialists, anarchists, hoboes, chicken thieves, outlaws and undesirable citizens of the United State are with you heart and soul in your effort to overthrow slavery and autocracy in Mexico. You will notice that we are not respectable. Neither are you. No revolutionist can possibly be respectable in these days of the reign of property. All the names you are being called we have been called. And when graft and greed get up and begin to call names, honest men, brave men, patriotic men and martyrs can expect nothing else than to be called chicken thieves and outlaws.

So be it. But I, for one, wish that there were more chicken thieves and outlaws of the sort that formed the gallant band that took Mexicali, of the sort that is heroically enduring the prison holes of Diaz, of the sort that it fighting and dying and sacrificing in Mexico today.

I subscribe myself a chicken thief and revolutionist.

JACK LONDON.

[Photograph added.]

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