Category: Free Speech Fights

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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.]

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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.]

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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.]

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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.]

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

Janet RayeFrank Little
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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

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Hellraisers Journal: From the Industrial Worker: Spokane IWW Gives Impressive Farewell to Free Speech Fighter F. J. Ferry

Janet RayeFree Speech Fights
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Quote EGF, re Spk FSF, ISR p618, Jan 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday April 18, 1910
Spokane, Washington – Impressive Funeral Honors Free Speech Martyr F. J. Ferry

From the Industrial Worker of April 16, 1910:

IWW Spk FSF, Bnr, IW p1, Apr 16, 1910IWW Spk FSF, Martyr Ferry, IW p1, Apr 16, 1910

Once again the Grim Reaper Death has visited the ranks of the gallant band of men who valorously defended their principles during the recent Spokane free speech fight, and has claimed as its latest victim Fellow Worker F. J. Ferry, a member of L. U. No. 222.

Fellow Worker S. O. Chinn, the first martyr to Spokane police brutality, who died four weeks ago as a result of the hardships suffered in jail, was a young man not yet in the prime of life. He was a mere youth-the prospect of life stretched before him full of possibilities; he hadn’t begun to live yet. He had just started on “Life’s fitful dream” when he was cut off. He was out of place in this capitalistic world, as is every man of principle, so he had to be sacrificed. Not for him was the boon of life enjoyed by all animated nature; he was an intruder, a revolutionist; he interfered with the smooth working of the well-laid plan of the master class to hold the workers in subjection; his presence in life was a danger to their organized system of exploitation; therefore he, the merest stripling, with every natural right to life, was ruthlessly murdered.

In the mad career of the suicidal capitalist class, not only is the seed of the future society thus wantonly, but the old and storm-twisted oaks of the working class-men who have earned every right to peaceful old age-are also destroyed on the slightest pretext when the interest of the modern juggernaut demands it. Fellow Worker Ferry was an old man 62 years of age. He was a life-long veteran of the cruelest struggle in history-the struggle for existence in a capitalist society. Ever since early boyhood he has been robbed and abused by an insatiate parasite. In common with his fellow-slaves of the working class, he was denied the luxuries and necessaries that make life worth living. He was reduced to the condition of a machine, being given only enough of the product of his labor to simply keep life in his body. After many years of killing slavery as a baker, he became worn out and was cast aside to make room for a younger victim-like an old machine he was “scrapped.”

An old and battle-scarred victim of capitalism-deprived of home and family and all the natural attributes of a worthy old age-he earned his scanty living as best he could with seemingly no other goal in store for him than that of so many workers-an apologetic exit from life-a hurried trip to Potters’ Field.

But he became imbued with the philosophy of the new society; he joined the I. W. W.; he became a rebellious slave. For this he was made a social outcast-even more so than simply as a discarded slave-he became an object of loathing and hatred to his masters-a creature to be eradicated if possible.

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Hellraisers Journal: Fellow Worker Ferry is Second to Die Due to Brutal Treatment at Spokane’s Franklin School Prison

Janet RayeFree Speech Fights
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Quote EGF, re Spk FSF, ISR p618, Jan 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Monday April 11, 1910
Spokane, Washington – FW Ferry Dead Due Brutal Treatment at Franklin School

From The Spokane Press of April 8, 1910:

IWW Spk FSF, WNF FJ Ferry, Spk Prs p1, Apr 8, 1910—–

34 DAYS ON BREAD THE CAUSE
—–

F. FERRY, AN INVALID AFTER JAIL EXPERIENCE,
SUCCUMBS TO PNEUMONIA.
—–

Another death is chargeable to the brutality of the system of Chief of Police John Sullivan and the members of the Spokane police department.

Another agonizing face will await the coming of these men in the Great Beyond, where they will face the responsibility that they so shrewdly shift here below, in the name of the majesty of the law.

The latest victim of police inhumanity to man is an aged man named F. Ferry, a resident of Spokane for years, who died last night at the Spokane general hospital, Third and Washington, following a brief but deadly attack of pneumonia.

IWW Spk FSF, Franklin School Jail, ISR p612, Jan 1910—–

Ferry took part in the free speech fight last fall and was among the first arrested and sent to the Franklin school. There, by order of chief Sullivan, he was placed on bread and water for 34 days and left the prison a physical wreck. He has since been an invalid, unable to work, and barely able to crawl around. Wednesday night he took suddenly sick with pneumonia, which found in his worn and emaciated body an easy victim, and all that medical science could do to save him was of no avail.

True, Ferry was an I. W. W. Yet he was an American citizen, a resident of Spokane for many years, whose only offense was that he thought the right of free speech should be accorded his fellow workingmen. He was a quiet, inoffensive man, past 60 years of age, and even in a Russian prison his gray hairs would have been respected and less harsh treatment shown than was manifested by the cowardly police force of Spokane.

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Hellraisers Journal: From the Industrial Worker: Funeral of S. O. Chinn, Spokane Free Speech Martyr, Largely Attended

Janet RayeFree Speech Fights
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Quote EGF, re Spk FSF, ISR p618, Jan 1910———-

Hellraisers Journal – Friday April 8, 1910
Spokane, Washington – S. O. Chinn Gets Grand I. W. W. Send-Off

From the Industrial Worker of April 2, 1910:

IWW Spk FSF v Employment Sharks, IW p1, Apr 2, 1910—–

CHINN’S FUNERAL LARGELY ATTENDED
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Many Watch Procession on Riverside Avenue
-Strains of the Marseillaise Heard-I. W. W.
Members Who Attend Funeral Wear Red Neckties.
—–

Funeral services for S. O. Chinn, age 27, which were held from the I. W. W. hall proved a magnate as the procession of men, women and children following the hearse and the brass band moved down Riverside Avenue. The last tribute was paid by James Thompson, national organizer of the Industrial Workers at the I. W. W. Hall at 616 Front Avenue, in which he declared that the man had given his life in the interest of the working class.

Three hundred Fellow Workers packed the hall to capacity and after the services followed the hearse and band to Riverside Avenue and Monroe Street, from which point the hearse and pall bearers proceeded to Greenwood cemetery, where Chinn was buried. The casket was draped with the flag of the organization of which Chinn was a member and an officer. Chinn came to Spokane last fall to participate in the free speech fight. His home was originally at Hutchinson, Kansas.

The funeral proceedings attracted a great deal of attention. Before the hearse walked four officers of the I. W. W. with red neckties and red badges of the organization in their buttonholes, while the band before pealed out the martial strains of the “Marseillaise.” Stretching behind for four or five blocks marched the members of the organization, who came out to pay their last respects to the man that had sacrificed his life for the cause of Free Speech.

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