Category: Frank Little

Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Reports from Fresno Free Speech Fight; Why He Preferred Dark Cell to Forced Labor

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

Quote Frank Little re Work Prisoners Scabs, IW p1, Oct 8, 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday October 10, 1910
Fresno, California – Frank Little Preferred Dark Cell to Forced Labor

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of October 8, 1910:

Fresno FSF, IW Masthead p1, Oct 8, 1910

FIRST ROUND GOES TO I. W. W.

Fresno, Cal., Sept. 27, 1910.

Editor Industrial Worker,

Was released from jail Sunday. Served 25 days, 15 days in solitary confinement on bread and water, 10 days in the black hole. September 17 the officials surrendered and turned me out in the corridor with the other prisoners and fed me the same. It was a complete victory. Am going to Coalinga oil fields tomorrow. Think we can get a local there. The tank builders are out on strike (A. F. of L.), but the sentiment is strong for industrial unionism.

Yours for action,
F. H. Little.

Have received notice to vacate hall. Are trying to run us out of town. Will have a hard time to get another.

—————

LITTLE SAYS HE PREFERRED DARK CELL.

Frank Little, organizer of the Industrial Workers of the World, has been released from the city jail after serving a sentence of 25 days for disturbing the peace. While in jail he was kept in solitary confinement because he refused to work in the court house yard with other prisoners.

Little lost none of his faithfulness to the I. W. W. cause while in prison and will renew at once his agitations. He will go to Coalinga tomorrow to hold meetings.

Little said today that he had two reasons for refusing to work while in jail. First, he said the man who will work while a prisoner is just the same as one who will “scab” during a strike. He believe the park work should be done by paid workmen.

Secondly, he said he believed that the park authorities would compel him to work harder than the others and might antagonize him to the extent that he would lose his temper and do something to bring a heavier sentence upon himself.

Little declare that the prison fare was unfit for man to eat. He said he intended to send a booklet to every voter in the county informing him of this, and that ultimately he would compel the sheriff to feed the prisoners better. Little registered several other complaints, which, however, he admitted that he had no means of proving were true.

—————

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Reports from Fresno Free Speech Fight; Why He Preferred Dark Cell to Forced Labor” →

Hellraisers Journal: Spokane’s IWW Agitators Bound for Fresno Free Speech Fight; Frank Little Speaks in Coalinga

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday October 6, 1910
Fresno, California – Spokane Fellow Workers on Way to Free Speech Fight

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of October 1, 1910:

IW MastHd, p1, Oct 1, 1910

CRTN re Fresno FSF, IW p1, Oct 1, 1910

SPOKANE MEMBERS BOUND FOR FRESNO.

A letter from one of the Spokane bunches of free speech agitators states that they expect to be in Portland part of the current week. All who are bound for Fresno should call at the I. W. W. headquarters along the road and inquire as to where the different forces are. It is suggested that there be no Fourth of July fireworks, but that everything be done quietly and as unostentatiously as possible. This, of course, until all is ready for action. There is nothing to be gained by the spread-eagle style. Saw wood until all is ready for action.

—————

From The Fresno Morning Republican of October 4, 1910:

I. W. W. AGITOR IN WRONG AT COALINGA
——-
Little Makes Speech at Socialist Meeting…
——-

COALINGA, Oct. 3.— F. H. Little, the I. W. W. member, who recently served a jail sentence in Fresno for disturbing the peace, made a speech in Coalinga, Friday evening, on Front street, and made an address at a Socialist meeting at the city hall here Sunday afternoon. The authorities have intervened against his speeches on the streets, and Little says he has wired Seattle for other members of the organization to come to Coalinga. Little has made the statement that he will speak on the street here again and in that case, it is expected that he will at once be placed under arrest, for ignoring the altitude of the authorities…

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Spokane’s IWW Agitators Bound for Fresno Free Speech Fight; Frank Little Speaks in Coalinga” →

Hellraisers Journal: From the Industrial Worker: IWW to Support Free Speech Fight-“Go to it, fellow workers of Fresno!”

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 13, 1910
Fresno, California – Free Speech Fight Is On; Call Goes Out to Rebel Workers

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of September 10, 1910:

IWW Fresno FSF, All Aboard f Fresno, IW p1, Sept 10, 1910

FREE SPEECH MUST BE WON IN FRESNO
——-

Industrial Worker:

F. H. Little sentenced before a perjured jury to 25 days in jail. A police conspiracy to get Organizer Little out of town. Police used three false witnesses against fellow workers. We have sworn out warrant against one for perjury. Jury composed of Bourgeois, cockroaches and real estate grafters. Jury hung on two-fourth acquitted. Little in dungeon for refusing to work.

The above telegram received from Fresno, Cal., is conclusive evidence that Fresno is in need of a dose of the same medicine that was administered to Spokane last winter. It will be remembered that the lads from Fresno and California in general were among the foremost of the militant agitators and it is now up to the workers of the Northwest to go to Fresno and help to regain free speech. Many of the mistakes of the last fight will be avoided, as it is wise to profit by our past mistakes.

Furthermore, each man should operate on the principle of “let not your right hand know what your left is doing.” While all will work together, there will be no coughing up to the police. Remember, if cross-questioned in the sweat box, that “I forgot everything I ever knew.” Likewise, “I disremember, I don’t know.” No worker is obliged to cough up all he DON’T KNOW just because a courteous thug in brass buttons asks him how about it. And it is not a mark of nerve or bravery to boast of various things concerning the organization, but only of being used as a means of information by the gum shoe brigade. Give them a run for their money. If they want to know things, let them go to the trouble of investigating. Let them read our literature. Above all, let there be no compromise. A compromise with the boss is always a surrender of points that do not need to be surrendered. If the boss has the upper hand, he will not compromise, and if he does not hold the best cards let us play the hand out. Why compromise when the boss is ready to compromise? If he will compromise, he will surrender. Let us MAKE HIM SURRENDER.

Go to it, fellow workers of Fresno! The whole national organization , every rebel in the country, the power of the workers’ press, all are with you. We can’t lose-for we have nothing to lose. We will win, for we will play on their pocket book and their dislike for publicity.

—————

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Industrial Worker: IWW to Support Free Speech Fight-“Go to it, fellow workers of Fresno!”” →

Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Leaves Dark Fresno Dungeon, Will Work in Park on Orders of I. W. W. Headquarters

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Monday September 12, 1910
Fresno, California – Fellow Worker Frank Little Leaves Dark Dungeon Cell

From The Fresno Morning Republican of September 9, 1910:

I. W. W. ORDERS LITTLE TO
WORK IN THE PARK

——-

“Martyr” Will Join Gang of Trusties
This Morning; Leaves Dark Cell.
——-

Frank Little Thrown in Fresno Tank, FMR p10, Sept 3, 1910

When Park Superintendent Woods takes his gang of trusties from the county jail at 8 o’clock this morning for the regular daily duties in the court house park, F. H. Little, the I. W. W. member, who is serving twenty-five days for disturbing the peace, will be among the workers.

Last night, Secretary W. F. Little of the local order of Industrial Workers of the World, received a telegram from headquarters in Chicago ordering F. H. Little, the “martyr,” to vacate the dark cell in the jail and go to work in the park.

Upon receipt of the telegram, a few members of the local I. W. W. held a conference and concurred in the action. The news was transmitted to “Martyr” Little, who was asked to abide by the action of general headquarters. Twice since his incarceration, F. H. Little has refused to work in the park. Upon his refusal the day jailer put Little on a diet of bread and water in the dark cell for intervals of four days with a square meal on the fifth day.

—————

[Newsclip added: Fresno Morning Republic of September 3, 1910.]
[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Leaves Dark Fresno Dungeon, Will Work in Park on Orders of I. W. W. Headquarters” →

Hellraisers Journal: From the Spokane Industrial Worker: “All Aboard for Fresno…Free Speech Fight On”

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday September 6, 1910
Fresno, California – Free Speech Fight On; St. John Issues Call for Volunteers

From the Spokane Industrial Worker of September 3, 1910:

IWW Fresno FSF, All Aboard f Fresno, IW p1, Sept 3, 1910

IWW FSF, Go to Fresno, IW p1, Sept 3, 1910

Fellow Workers: The police have been harassing us for some time. Do not allow us to speak on streets and have arrested four of us for no cause at all. Trial set for August 31st. We have decided that we must whip the city or quit. Can you back us with men?

We think it a good plan to have the old-timers who took part in the Spokane and Missoula fights to arrive first, so that we may get the benefit of their experience in bringing the matter to a culmination and see that everything goes through in good shape to the end that we give the wage workers a good example of what we can do. There will be no lawyers or defense fund, except a jungling fund.

Yours for the I. W. W.
AN AGITATOR.
2022 Mariposa St., Fresno, Cal.

—————

[Emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From the Spokane Industrial Worker: “All Aboard for Fresno…Free Speech Fight On”” →

Hellraisers Journal: Fellow Worker Frank Little in Fresno, Thrown into Dark Cell, Sings Rebel Songs All Day Long

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

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

Hellraisers Journal – Monday September 5, 1910
Fresno, California – Frank Little Thrown into Dungeon, Sings Rebel Songs

From The Fresno Morning Republican of September 1, 1910:

JURY IN POLICE COURT RENDERS
4 VERDICTS IN AFTERNOON
——-
F. H. Little Found Guilty;
Victor Vogel Is Acquitted.
——-
W. F. Little and Wm. Flanagan
May Be Tried Second Time.
——-

IWW Fresno FSF, Frank Little Arrested, LA Tx p23, Aug 26, 1910

Four members of the local branch of the Industrial Workers of the World were tried before a jury in the police court yesterday. The trial occupied the entire afternoon, but was devoid of sensational features. F. H. Little was found guilty of disturbing the peace. Sentence will be pronounced by Judge Briggs at 10 o’clock this morning. Victor Vogel was acquitted on the same charge and W. F. Little and William Flanagan will be discharged today as the jury failed to reach an agreement in their cases. The jury, of which E. C. Van Buren was foreman, rendered three separate verdicts, although the four I. W. W. members were tried jointly on the same charge.

The Little brothers appeared as counsel for the quartet of defendants. Assistant District Attorney Manson McCormick conducted the prosecution.….

The Little brothers called Detective Sam Drenth to the stand in an effort to get an admission that the police were trying to break up the local order of the I. W. W. The questions propounded by Little were overruled and Drenth did not give any testimony. The four defendants then took the stand and gave their side of the case.

The witnesses for the prosecution told conflicting stories, although the facts simmered down to a little loud talking on the part of F. H. Little, Victor Vogel and William Flanagan. The men were discussing the rooms in a certain lodging house on H street. Little talked a trifle too loud. Patrolman Piemens approached the trio and asked Little and his friends not to talk so loud. The men refused and defied the officer, whereupon he took them to jail. W. F. Little joined the party in the courthouse park and he too was placed under arrest.

—————

[Newsclip added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Fellow Worker Frank Little in Fresno, Thrown into Dark Cell, Sings Rebel Songs All Day Long” →

Hellraisers Journal: Free Speech Denied in Fresno, California, Four Members of Local 66 Arrested for Speaking on the Street

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

Quote Frank Little, re Fresno Sure to Win, IW p4, Aug 27, 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Sunday August 28, 1910
Fresno, California – Fellow Workers Arrested for Speaking on Street

W. H. Little, secretary of Local 66, his wife, Emma Little, brother, Frank Little, and one other Fellow Worker, were arrested Wednesday evening, August 24th, for street-speaking. A call for assistance has been issued.

From the Industrial Worker of August 27, 1910:

[Page 1:]

Fresno FSF, fr WH Little re Arrests, IW p1, Aug 27, 1910

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Free Speech Denied in Fresno, California, Four Members of Local 66 Arrested for Speaking on the Street” →

Hellraisers Journal: From Industrial Worker: Frank Little, Horse and Wagon Agitator, to Organize Ranches Near Fresno

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

Quote Frank Little, re Fresno FS May, IW p2, June 11, 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday August 1, 1910
Frank Little Calls for Good Agitators to Come to Fresno

From the Industrial Worker of July 30, 1910:

A HORSE AND WAGON AGITATOR.

[-by FW Frank Little]

IWW Dont Buy Jobs, IW p4, June 11, 1910

FRESNO, Cal., July 23.-To the Editor of I. W.-Am back in Fresno, and will take up the work of organizing the ranch employes and packing house employees. Will start out with horse and wagon and travel from ranch to ranch, holding meetings in all of the small towns. But we are up against a hard fight. The masters will do all in their power to keep us from organizing the slaves. The A. F. of L. is going to try to organize, and, of course, the masters will aid them to defeat the I. W. W., and they have the money to put their labor fakirs in the field, while the few of us who are trying to build up the I. W. W. have to depend on working for a master to make a jungle stake.

I have been sick for some time, but will get out and hustle now. I will try and hustle some subs for the Worker on my trip.

Now is the time for work in this valley. I. W. W. men can get work and we need some good job agitators to get out in the fruit country and get control of the boss and make the masters raise the wages; and also build up the organization. It can be done if all of us will get in and hustle.

So, fellow workers, let us keep the work going. Yours for action,

F. H. LITTLE.

———-

IWW Frank Little re Fresno n Hanford, IW p4, July 16, 1910

[Photograph, newsclip and emphasis added.]

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From Industrial Worker: Frank Little, Horse and Wagon Agitator, to Organize Ranches Near Fresno” →

Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Reports to Industrial Worker on Fight of Local 66 to Speak on Streets of Fresno, California

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

Quote Frank Little, re Fresno FS May, IW p2, June 11, 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday June 13, 1910
Fresno, California – Fellow Worker Little Reports on Fight to Organize Local 66

From the Industrial Worker of June 11, 1910:

IWW Dont Buy Jobs, IW p4, June 11, 1910

LIBERTY VS. THE LAW.

Fresno, Cal., May 29, 1910.

Editor Industrial Worker: The meeting of the I. W. W. in the public park today was suppressed by the county officials, backed by the uniformed thugs of the city. The constitution of the nation and state was stolen by the chief of police. The Industrial Worker was taken from one of the members. This park is supposed to belong to the people of Fresno county.

So you can see we are up against a big fight here in the near future. All fighters must prepare to come to Fresno when the call is sent out.

The chief of police says he will call on the G. A. R. and the Spanish War Veterans to wipe out the i. W. W.

Yours for Industrial Freedom,
F. H. LITTLE,
Organizer of the I. W. W.

———-

We are taking in new members every day, and the sentiment is strong for Industrial Unionism. We expect to do something here this summer, as this is one of the best places in the west for agitation. There are lots of Germans and Russians here and they are ripe for organization. The Mexicans, Japanese and Chinese are lining up.

We have a bunch of agitators here-English, Mexican, German and Japanese-and are stirring things up. The masters see that we are jarring the workers loose from their conservative ideas.

The papers have announced that the A. F. of L. will organize the laborers-that is, the white slaves. They are going to run the Japanese out of the country.

They are also going to organize the farmers and the farm employes into one union. Ye gods and little fishes! Just think. The man who sweats and toils out in the hot sun, the man who produces all things good and has nothing, to belong to the same union as his master, who does nothing and has all. But I think they will fail, for the blanket stiff who is forced to hike over the road and carry his home on his back is too wise for the A. F. of L. labor faker.

All Fellow Workers who are looking for a master and who want to do good work for the I. W. W. would do well to stop at this place. We need as many agitators in this part of the country as we can get, for we expect to tie up this whole country this fall. We have the silent strike on. It is on a job for the Southern Pacific. The slave drivers are wild-the slaves won’t work as hard as they want them to. We have a bunch of I. W. W. men on the job and we swill get control soon. Then we expect to give them a dose of I. W. W. direct action. So keep your eye on Fresno and watch Local No. 66 grow. Will send you a line from time to time and let you know what is doing. Yours for Freedom.

F. H. LITTLE

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: Frank Little Reports to Industrial Worker on Fight of Local 66 to Speak on Streets of Fresno, California” →

Hellraisers Journal: From The Butte Daily Bulletin: A. C. M. Gunthug Advocates for “Some More Killings and Hangings”

Janet RayeFrank Little
Share

Quote Frank Little re Guts, Wobbly by RC p208, Chg July 1917———-

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday April 22, 1920
Butte, Montana – Gunthug of Anaconda Copper Mining Co. Wants More Hangings

From The Butte Daily Bulletin of April 20, 1920:

HdLn Butte Gunmen Active, BDB p1, Apr 20, 1920

Alley Openly Urges Murder
—–

“The wobblies have got us tied up again. It wouldn’t be so bad if they only quit themselves but they are interfering with our loyal men.

We need some more killings and hangings here, and if there were any red-blooded Americans in the camp it would be done.”-Roy Alley, secretary to John D. Ryan of the A. C. M. in the Thornton Hotel barber shop about 9:30 yesterday morning.

So Roy Alley wants to hang someone AGAIN!

He wants some MORE killings and hangings!

WE need some more killings!

WHOM does Roy Alley mean by WE?

WHAT does he mean by MORE?

The Bulletin desires to call the attention of the county attorney to the fact that this individual-the distributor of the corruption fund of the Anaconda Mining Co.-is openly urging murder as a means of settling the strike of the miners.

We desire to call the attention of the federal authorities to the fact that this gentlemen is “preaching violence” and “defiance of constituted authority.”

The Bulletin also desires to call the attention of the county attorney to the fact that Mr. Alley said MORE hangings. To us this appears to indicate previous activities in that direction.

We do not believe that Roy Alley can be quite sane if he thinks that he or anyone else is going to settle anything by a few MORE murders.

More than that, if any of the strikers or their supporters are to be murdered by the thugs of the Anaconda Mining Co. as an example of red-blooded Americanism, Mr. Alley wants to be sure that he has enough troops in here at the time to keep him and his band of degenerate outlaws from the wrath of an outraged working class.

———-

Continue reading “Hellraisers Journal: From The Butte Daily Bulletin: A. C. M. Gunthug Advocates for “Some More Killings and Hangings”” →