My views have not changed in the least
since our conviction.
-Big Bill Haywood
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hellraisers Journal, Wednesday September 11, 1918
Leavenworth, Kansas – Haywood and 92 Fellow Workers Enter Prison
From The Leavenworth Times of September 8, 1918:
I.W.W.’S ENTER FEDERAL PEN
WITH AIR OF UNCONCERN
[Part I]
—–
CREW OF NINETY-THREE ARRIVED FROM CHICAGO
LATE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON.
—–
STILL HOLD SAME VIEWS
—–
Big Bill Haywood, National Secretary-Treasurer, Tells Newspaper
Reporters That No One There Ever Hindered Government War Program-
Will Not Be Dressed in Until Monday Morning-Other Prisoners
Greet Them With Sneers and Cold Stares.
—–
Big Bill Haywood
Displaying a spirit of bravado and wearing the air of martyred heroes, William D. “Big Bill” Haywood and the ninety-two Industrial Workers of the World, entered the Federal penitentiary here yesterday [September 7th] to begin sentences for attempting to overturn America’s war program. They arrived in special cars from Chicago at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and at 4:30 everyone was inside the prison walls.
“My views have not changed in the least since our conviction” stated Big Bill Haywood, secretary-treasurer of the National I. W. W., who was given twenty years.
I am still thoroughly convince that not one of the men here has ever hindered the government’s war preparations in the least; on the contrary the I. W. W. has materially assisted in carrying out war activities. Not a munition ship leaves the city of Philadelphia that is not loaded by members of the organization and only two docks on the water front employ other laborers.
WANTS U. S. TO WIN.
Gentle men, understand this, that though I am emphatically opposed to war, my sympathies are with the United Staters in the present conflict, I now see where it could not have been avoided and must be pushed to a successful conclusion. No man has ever been more emphatic in condemning Germany than myself; the Kaiser and the Prussian junkers must be crushed and war, though wrong, seems to be the only method it is possible to use.
When asked about the recent bombing of the Federal building in Chicago, supposedly by I. W. W.’s Haywood made an extended statement.
[He declared:]
The affair was decidedly unfortunate and exceedingly inopportune. Had it not taken place we would have been more successful in obtaining a stay of execution and would not be here now.
Very little evidence against us was presented in our trial. What few scraps there were, lawyers placed together loosely and managed to obtain a conviction. Although our trial consumed 138 days, the jury brought in a verdict after being out only ten minutes.
Haywood openly commended the I. W. W. as an organization. He said that in his opinion it stood for the right ideals. It did not countenance any violence whatever, he declared, and has never in its entire existence been stained with murder or bloodshed.
HANDCUFFED IN PAIRS.
The entrance of the notorious crew, ninety-three strong, to the Federal prison, was dramatic. The train puffed through the east entrance, heavy steel gates clanged shut and the I. W. W.’s were inside the place where they will serve terms ranging from one to twenty years. As the wheels ceased to move, John J. Bradley, United States marshal, who with forty-four deputies brought the men from Chicago, stepped from a coach and officially delivered the men over into the custody of Warden Thomas W. Morgan and Deputy Warden L. J. Fletcher who were waiting for them. Next the coaches were emptied, and, handcuffed in pairs, the men stepped out into the prison yard. Closely guarded by the deputies they were lined up against the prison walls and the handcuffs removed. Then they were placed in line, two abreast, for the final counting before they left the custody of Marshal Bradley.
And through it all, despite the curious stares of prisoners, the men retained their bravado spirit and laughed and joked. Half-way down the line stood Big Bill Haywood, sullenly chewing on a mouthful of tobacco and saying nothing, though he seemed unconcerned. Nearer the end was George Andrewtchine [Andreytchine], young Russian poet, smiling and joking, just as he did throughout his trial.
[Photograph added.]
[Part I of II, to be continued.]
