Hellraisers Journal: Miss Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and the Missoula Free Speech Fight of the Industrial Workers of the World

Quote EGF, Western IWW Aggressive Spirit, IW p3, Aug 12, 1909 ———-

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday November 3, 1909
Missoula, Montana – Elizabeth Gurley Flynn and the Victory for Free Speech

From the International Socialist Review of November 1909:

FREE SPEECH FIGHT. Missoula, Mont., Oct. 3.—Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, organizer of the Industrial Workers of the World, was arrested here tonight for persistently attempting to hold an advertised open-air meeting in the business section.

The plan of action outlined by Elizabeth Gurley Flynn was to select leaders of small squads and distribute them about town, giving each a chance to gather a crowd before the police might become cognizant of the movements of the I. W. W.

At the police station Mrs. Flynn said the I. W. W. could not be suppressed and that the work would be carried on as outlined if 10 men are jailed every day.

Oct. 6.—Attempts on the part of the police to quell the incendiary speeches of the members of the I. W. W. on the public streets have thus far proven utterly unavailing and the situation becomes daily more tense, with the authorities seemingly unable to cope successfully with the conditions.

Tonight the police were kept busy for two hours arresting and escorting I. W. W. orators to jail and when the 35th man had been taken in charge the multitude surrounded the authorities and jostled them all the way to the jail.

Mrs. Charles Fernette, a Spokane woman member of the I. W. W. and a member of the advisory board, was arrested last night and while being escorted to the station the multitude which followed, threw stones at the police, severely injuring Officer Hoel about the body.

Oct. 8th—From Spokane.—The Industrial Workers of the World, who went from this city to Missoula to assist Elizabeth Gurley Flynn in the street speaking contest, are returning in large numbers. A large delegation arrived early this morning via the “limited.”

The men report that they have won a complete victory at Missoula, and that they now have the privilege of the streets. J. P. Thompson, who has been serving as a local organizer for some time, returned from Missoula yesterday.

C. L. Filingo, the secretary of the local I. W. W. organization, stated yesterday that the membership of the new union at Missoula had been increasing rapidly during the street speaking controversy.

“Sixteen new members joined on Saturday night and eight on the next day,” said Mr. Filingo. “The membership there has been increasing rapidly.”

At the trial the cases were all dismissed.

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[Emphasis added.]