Hellraisers Journal: 175 Boys and Girls, Children of Lawrence Textile Strikers, Sent to New York City for Care and Safekeeping

11th February 202211th February 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote Lawrence Strike Committee, Drunk Cup to Dregs, Bst Dly Glb Eve p5, Jan 17, 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday February 11, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Strikers Children Sent to New York City

From The Boston Daily Globe, Evening Edition, of February 10, 1912:

Upper Picture-Strikers’ Children from Lawrence in
South Station [Boston], Waiting to Board a New York Train.
Lower Left Hand-Child of a Striker. Lower Right Hand-
Miss Florence Sawyer, with One of the Youngest in the Party.
———-

One hundred and seventy-five boys and girls, children of textile strikers in Lawrence, were brought to Boston this morning on their way to New York city, where they are to be cared for by different families until the strike is settled. The children left at noon for New York. They were to have departed on the 10:03 train out of the South Station, but they reached the North Station too late to make the connection. They went to the South Station by an elevated train, and from the time of their arrival at 10:30, until their departure, at 12, made the waiting room of the great terminal building lively with their songs and pranks.

The children were in charge of five women and 10 men. The man who conducted the party described himself as being Henry Lindworth, a Frenchman, who said he was “a comrade” and was “secretary in charge of the party.” Lindworth had a pocket full of letters from Socialist Democrats and plain Socialist in New York applying for one or more of the juveniles, whom they promised to give homes during the pendency of the strike. Each of the children had pinned to his or her garments a slip of paper on which was written the name, age and address of the child.

The children ranged in age from 4 to 14, and all of them seemed to be comfortably dressed, although the clothing of most was of rather poor quality, and some of them wore patches, but the little ones all seemed happy, and looked upon their trip as a great lark. They were ever ready to burst into song when Lindworth called on them to do so, which he frequently did. The song they most sang at the South Station was “La Internationale,” which Lindworth said was the hymn of those who are opposed to society as it is now constituted.

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Hellraisers Journal: Photographs from the Lawrence Textile Strike: Strikers on Foot Face Hooves of Cavalry, Troop B

7th February 20227th February 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote BBH re Capitalist Class, Lbr Arg p4, Mar 23, 1911 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday February 7, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Calvary on Horseback Against Strikers on Foot

From The Boston Daily Globe (Morning Edition) of February 1, 1912:

From The Boston Daily Globe (Morning Edition) of February 2, 1912:

James P. Thompson and Big Bill Haywood of the I. W. W.
Samuel A. Stodell, People’s Forum, Church of the Ascension, New York

From The Boston Daily Globe (Evening Edition) of February 2, 1912:

Striker with Child

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Photographs from the Lawrence Textile Strike: Strikers on Foot Face Hooves of Cavalry, Troop B” →

Hellraisers Journal: From The Coming Nation: “The Capitalist Press” by Agnes Thecla Fair & “Boy Scouts” by Ryan Walker

4th February 20224th February 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote Agnes Thecla Fair, Revolutionary Women, Stt Sc Wkgmn p4, Nov 20, 1909 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday February 4, 1912
“The Capitalist Press” by Agnes Thecla Fair, “Boy Scouts” by Ryan Walker

From The Coming Nation of February 3, 1912:

———-

———- Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Coming Nation: “The Capitalist Press” by Agnes Thecla Fair & “Boy Scouts” by Ryan Walker” →

Hellraisers Journal: Joe Ettor and Arturo Giovannitti Arrested; Young John Ramey Dead from Bayonet Wound to Back

2nd February 202218th February 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

WNF John Ramey, Martyr Bread and Roses Strike, Jan 30, 1912, findagrave —————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday February 2, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Ettor and Giovannitti Arrested; Young Syrian Boy Dead

From The Boston Daily Globe, Morning Edition, of January 31, 1912:

Ruling Lawrence with Iron Hand
Infantry – Metropolitan Police – Artillery – Cavalry – 2d Corps Cadets
Local Police – Ambulance Corps

—–

—–

Mrs. Annie Helzenbach – Joe Ettor – Arturo Giovannitti

From The Boston Daily Globe, Evening Edition, of January 31, 1912:

Ettor and Giovannitti Being Taken to Jail
Ettor with Newspaper under Arm

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Hellraisers Journal: John Ramey, Syrian Boy, Dead in Lawrence, Was Bayoneted in Back By Soldiers. Ettor Arrested.

1st February 20221st February 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

WNF John Ramey, Martyr Bread and Roses Strike, Jan 30, 1912, findagrave —————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday February 1, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Syrian Boy, John Ramey, Second Martyr of Textile Strike

From The New York Call of January 31, 1912:

—–—–
CHEERING THE STRIKERS

———-

LAWRENCE, Mass., Jan. 30.-Murder was committed on the street in this city today, when an 18-year old Syrian boy striker was bayoneted by a member of a squad of Massachusetts militia on Oak street, and died later in the Lawrence hospital.

The dead boy, John Rami [Ramey], was stuck through the back like a pig as he and some companions were endeavoring to escape from an absolutely unprovoked assault by the soldiers, who are under instructions to look for trouble and when they had it to use steel and ball cartridges as often and as accurately as possible. Many of the militiamen are under-graduates of Harvard University, the president of which is a large shareholder in the Lawrence mills.

Although the police, who witnessed the murder of Rami, declare the boy was doing nothing wrong, the authorities are endeavoring to shift the blame for the lad’s death upon the strikers, and the report has been spread that it is doubtful who killed him. For several hours after the murder the authorities were terrified least the strikers, learning of the fate of the boy, should demand and take vengeance, and every effort was made to hush up the details of the tragedy.

The squad of militiamen, one of whom was responsible, has evidently concocted a story, probably with the connivance of their officers, for they are industriously lying about the matter, declaring they were not near enough to the boy to stab him, and that it was one of his fellow strikers who took his life.

Rami, according to eye-witnesses, was walking along Oak street, with seven companions. As they neared a corner of the street, where a squad of eight armed militiamen were standing, one of the boys said, jestingly:

“There are the soldiers now. Let’s have some fun with them.”

Stabbed in Back.

Immediately the man in charge of the squad ordered the soldiers to charge. Rami, unable to run as fast as his companions, brought up the rear. His steps were slightly retarded by the slippery pavement and he appeared to stumble. As he did so, one of the militiamen caught up with him, and thrusting viciously forward, stuck his bayonet into Rami’s back.

The boy screamed and staggered forward. He ran a few more steps and fell, fainting. Officials at the hospital where he was taken would not say how far the long bayonet blade went into his lungs…..

Strike Leader is Arrested.

Joseph J. Ettor, of New York, national organizer of the Industrial Workers of the world and leader of the woolen strike here, was arrested shortly before midnight on a charge of being an accessory to the murder of Annie La Pizza [Anna LoPizzo], the Italian striker who was killed during the clash in Union street early last evening. Ettor was taken into custody at the hotel where he is stopping when he was about to go to bed and was taken to the police station, where he was locked up. An extra guard of militiamen was thrown about the station for fear that when the news went abroad and attempt might be made by the strikers to storm the place and rescue Ettor.

The strike is assuming its real character-a hunger strike, it is a strike in which empty bellies clamor for food, in which children cry for life’s joys, and woman fight desperately with their men to save themselves from prostitution. And every hour the 25,000 victims of a merciless corporation’s greed realize more clearly the nature of their fight, and grow more grimly determined to win.

[…..]

[Emphasis added]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: John Ramey, Syrian Boy, Dead in Lawrence, Was Bayoneted in Back By Soldiers. Ettor Arrested.” →

Hellraisers Journal: Italian Woman Killed in Lawrence as Strikers Gathered at Mills at Closing Time on Monday January 29th

31st January 202231st January 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Lawrence Anna LoPizzo Killed, Jan 29, 1912

Hellraisers Journal – Wednesday January 31, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Woman Shot and Killed During Strikers’ Demonstration

From The Boston Daily Globe of January 30, 1912:

——

From The New York Call of January 30, 1912:

WOMAN SLAIN BY SHOT IN LAWRENCE
STRIKE EXCITEMENT
———-

[…..]

LAWRENCE, Mass., Jan. 29.-After a two hours’ demonstration, during which the woolen and cotton mill strikers had full control of the streets of this city, there was a clash between the police and militia on one side and about 1,000 strikers near the Everett mills just before 6 o’clock to night.

The affray resulted in the killing of an Italian woman, who was standing on the sidewalk, the stabbing of Patrolman Oscar Benoit and sore heads for many of the strikers, who were finally put to flight.

The woman killed was the victim of senseless shooting by an unknown individual, who seemed to be taking great joy in firing revolver bullets into the ground on the opposite side of Union street from the woman. It is claimed that neither the police nor militiamen fired a shot during the battle and it is believed that the woman was killed by a bullet which glanced off a stone in the street.

[…..]

[Emphasis added.]

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Hellraisers Journal: Joe Ettor Addresses Mass Meeting on Behalf of Lawrence Textile Strikers at Boston’s Faneuil Hall

29th January 202229th January 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote Joe Ettor re John Golden, Lawrence Strike n Revolution, Bst Glb p4, Jan 27, 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Monday January 29, 1912
Boston, Massachusetts – Joe Ettor Speaks on Behalf of Lawrence Strikers

From The Boston Daily Globe of January 27, 1912:

ETTOR SPEAKS IN FANEUIL HALL
———–

Joseph J. Ettor was the star of the great meeting in the interest of the Lawrence strikers which was held last evening in Faneuil Hail under the auspices of the socialist party of Boston. His picturesque looks and his vivid description of conditions in Lawrence contributed in part to the applause which greeted him.

This man differs in appearance from any labor leader that has ever been seen in this part of the world before. He has a face on him which at first impresses you as being feminine, but which becomes masculine and full of expression when he talks. His skin looks as soft as a girls and his eyes are as black as coals.

More than $200 was taken up in a collection for the benefit of the strikers. The hall was crowded, though not uncomfortably so, and the rather large force of policemen found nothing to do but listen. There was a band of music, which kept the crowd entertained until 8:20, when a great cheer went up as the red Socialist flag and the American flag were borne up the center aisle and behind them came Ettor, James P. Carey and a number of people who were to sit on the platform.

The meeting was called to order by George D. Hall, who said he had personally visited all the textile cities in New England and had found nowhere more miserable conditions than existed in Lawrence.

———-

Woman Striker Speaks.

Miss K. S. Hanscom, one of the Lawrence strikers, addressed an audience for the first time and found a little difficulty in expressing herself. But she was so deeply impressed with the thing she wanted to say that she found no difficulty in making herself understood. She wanted to express first her admiration for the courage of the poor people who went out on strike, but more especially for the Italian women who were the first to walk out of the Wood Worsted mill. The average wage of most of the men and women, she said, was $5 a week, and they were compelled to do three and four times more work than formerly. The weavers and spinner do not average $9 a week.

Chairman Hall announced that the Boston Socialist Club proposed through a committee of 300 to collect by means of a house-to-house campaign clothing and funds for the strikers.

———–

Ettor Speaks of Wood.

Joseph J. Ettor was loudly cheered when he was introduced and it took considerable protesting with his hand to stop the applause.

This evening I was an conference with Mr. William M. Wood and he assured me that while I represented 20,000 workers he had 14.000 investors. Some of them live on the Riviera. (Laughter).

[Continued Ettor with a laugh:]

That’s way off in Russia, I guess. You see the capitalist class know no East nor West, nor any other boundary.

The important thing today is that 20,000 mill workers of Lawrence are out on strike. The other side has done all in its power to crush out every effort that has been made by these people in the past to express themselves. The one who made a complaint was always made the victim of oppression by bosses and superintendents.

———-

Learn They Are Not Slaves.

An attempt is being made to bring the workers back to the mills, that they may be able to weave their lives into cloth on the old terms. John Golden with Billy Woods, say that in Lawrence we have no strike-we have a revolution. Well, where it is a question of life and death it is sure a revolution.

Twelve days ago the strikers were slaves, with nobody to speak for them-slaves attached to the looms who did not dare to raise their heads. All that has been changed in 12 days. These people have discovered that they are not slaves to superintendents or agents of mills.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Joe Ettor Addresses Mass Meeting on Behalf of Lawrence Textile Strikers at Boston’s Faneuil Hall” →

Hellraisers Journal: Lawrence Strikers Greet Bill Haywood with Wild Enthusiasm as Attempt at Settlement Falls Flat

27th January 20225th March 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote BBH Dream of One Big Union, Bst Glb p4, Jan 24, 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Saturday January 27, 1912
Lawrence, Massachusetts – Big Bill Haywood Arrives to Cheering Crowds

From The Boston Daily Globe of January 25, 1912:

By F. P. SIBLEY.

LAWRENCE, Jan 24-The first attempt to hold a conference between the striking employes of the textile industry and the mill owners and mill agents fizzled flat tonight.

The mill owners’ representatives did not all come to the meeting in City Hall. Nobody appeared for the Kunhardt, the Duck, the Pemberton nor the Arlington Mills. Of the seven men representing the other mills, all but two left almost immediately.

The strikers’ committee was then told that the mill agents who were there had not sufficient authority to treat with them. “We’re wasting our time,” said a strikers’ delegate and the strike committee adjourned to its own hall.

[…..]

Greeting to Haywood.

In the meantime [while Ettor was in conference with the Mayor] the scenery was setting for the first big spectacular event of the day. For two hours the strikers and their sympathizers, with tour bands, were gathering at the North Lawrence Station to greet William D. Haywood, the famous labor agitator, whose coming has been so eagerly expected here.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Lawrence Strikers Greet Bill Haywood with Wild Enthusiasm as Attempt at Settlement Falls Flat” →

Hellraisers Journal: Strike Committee Travels from Lawrence to Boston in Effort to Reach Settlement with Mill Owners

26th January 202226th January 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote Lawrence Strike Committee, Drunk Cup to Dregs, Bst Dly Glb Eve p5, Jan 17, 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Friday January 26, 1912
News from Lawrence Textile Strike: Joe Ettor Travels to Boston, Seeks Settlement

From The Boston Daily Globe of January 24, 1912:

By F. P. SIBLEY.

LAWRENCE, Jan 23-Mayor Michael A. Scanlon and Alderman Robert S. Maloney went to Boston this afternoon and enlisted the services of the State Board of Arbitration in the effort to bring the striking textile mill operatives and their employers to a conference with the view of settling the strike.

Joseph J. Ettor and five members of the strikers’ committee also went to Boston today at the call of Max Mitchell [emissary of the the American Woolen Company] and had a conference with two men closely allied with the mill owners. The conference was a secret one and Ettor refused to make any statement as to what took place. On his return he made a date with Mayor Scanlon to meet the mill owners if they agreed to his plan.

[…..]

—————

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Strike Committee Travels from Lawrence to Boston in Effort to Reach Settlement with Mill Owners” →

Hellraisers Journal: Lawrence Strikers Vote Unanimously to Confer With Mill Owners as a Whole; Spirit of Unity Prevails

25th January 202225th January 2022 Janet RayeBread and Roses Strike of 1912

Quote Bread and Roses Verse 1, American Magazine p214, Dec 1911  —————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday January 25, 1912
News from Lawrence Textile Strike: Unity Prevails at Mass Meeting

From The Boston Daily Globe of January 23, 1912:

By F. P. SIBLEY.

LAWRENCE, Jan 23-Two steps in the negotiations between the striking mill operatives and the employers were taken today.

The strikers have put it up to the mill owners to make the arbitration general and to apply to all establishments alike. This proposition accompanies a refusal of the plan offered yesterday by the corporations for each mill to deal with a committee of its own employes.

This reply of the employes, drawn up last night by their executive committee, was ratified by a mass meeting of more than 3000 strikers on Lawrence Common this afternoon.

[…..]

Chairman Ettor announced at this morning’s meeting of the executive committee that William D. Haywood, lecturer of the I. W. W., is coming here to help tomorrow or Wednesday. Haywood sprang into prominence in connection with the Western Miners’ Federation trouble in Idaho in 1906, when Gov Steunenberg’s residence was dynamited. The trials of Haywood, Moyer and Pettibone that followed stirred the labor men of the whole Nation.

The regular number of mills opened this morning. The pickets were fairly active and at the Pacific Mills a half-company of militia was sent to keep the crowd moving and prevent intimidation. At noon there was another slight disturbance at this mill and one Syrian, James Vlahodimo, 34, of 467 Common st, was arrested and locked up, charged with intimidation. This was the only arrest of the day in connection with the strike.

[…..]

Big Crowd at Meeting.

The committee last night decided once more on recommending that a committee representing all the manufacturers should deal with another committee representing all the strikers.

This afternoon at 2 more than 3000 strikers, men and women, were gathered around the bandstand on the Common to listen to their committee’ proposition and to vote on it.

Joseph Ettor, August de Tollenaer for the French-speaking strikers, A. M. Giovannati [Giovannitti] for the Italians, and a Polish and a Syrian speaker climbed into the handstand and so far as possible divided the crowd into Nationalities, so that each speaker would have his own people before him. This set the crowd to “milling” round the bandstand. The pressure was fearful, and one woman was slightly hurt. She was helped out of the crowd, and remained there through the meeting.

Joseph Ettor said:

I hope nothing will be done to disturb this very important meeting. I know that it may be disturbed, for the purpose of distracting your attention from the real issues.

The question of meeting the employers was submitted to the strike committee last night, and its recommendation is that we offer a plan for a meeting of two committees, one representing all the operators and the other all the employes. (Cheers.) This is the report your committee now offers for your approval or rejection.

—–

Plan Unanimously Indorsed.

It means much to you. Accept and you say to the mill owners that the solidity and unity of the workers will be kept regardless of mills or employers. Decline and you will have to elect committees to deal with each mill separately.

When this speech had been translated into the various tongues, one after another, a show of hands was called for and it was wonderful to see the hands sprout out of the mob. The vote was unanimous.

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Lawrence Strikers Vote Unanimously to Confer With Mill Owners as a Whole; Spirit of Unity Prevails” →

Category: Bread and Roses Strike of 1912