“We wish to donate for the help of the
Minnesota Iron Range strikers
and wish for their ultimate success.”
-Bindery Women’s Local No. 213
of Norwood, Mass, sending $5.00.
Hellraisers Journal, Thursday December 7, 1916
Mesabi Iron Range – Defense of Class War Prisoners Organized
Funds are pouring into the Defense Fund set up on behalf of the strikers and the I. W. W. organizers who now stand accused of first degree murder in connection with the death of the deputized company gunthug who burst into the Masonovich home in Biwabik last summer. Today we catch up on the latest news regarding the Mesabi cases from The Labor World and from the union-hating Duluth News Tribune.
From The Labor World of December 2, 1916:
UNIONISTS DONATE TO I.W.W.
MESABA DEFENSE FUND
—–
Electrical Workers Local Union 397, Balboa, Canal Zone, Panama, sent from the tropics $20.00 to the Defense Committee, wishing complete success in the undertaking.
The United Neckware Makers Union No. 110116, New York City, send a check to further, they say, the good work that you are so nobly engaged in.
Croatian Mutual Benefit Society at Centerville, Iowa, sends in a money order for $11.65, saying:
“Keep on with the battle you have started against the Steel Trust and if necessary, we will try to collect some more after a while.”
Yours for industrial freedom,
Secretary.The Bottle Cap, Cork & Stopper Workers’ Union No. 875, Baltimore, writes:
“You will find a money order enclosed and accept same with our best wishes for the success of your strike and defense. We have sent resolution of protest to the Governor of Minnesota, and the Sheriff of St. Louis County. Any other assistance you may desire just let me know and, if possible, same will bd done.
“Again wishing you every success, I remain.
Secretary.
Bricklayers Local Union, No. 2 of Toronto, Ont., come to bat with $10.00 saying:
This is a small contribution from the Bricklayers of Toronto, Can., in aid of your Defense Fund. We are sorry that we are not in a position to contribute larger. However, we send our best good wishes to you in the great struggle which you are now engaged in and trust the members of the organization will remain loyal to the cause of labor.
Yours Fraternally,
Secretary.[And the article continues on thusly for two full columns with messages of support being sent from all over the nation. Donations were received from all across the nation, from New York to California, and from Ontario all the way down to Texas, and even from Panama.]
[Photograph added.]
From The Duluth News Tribune of December 3, 1916:
JOSEPH ETTOR RIGHT ON ‘JOB’
—–Despite Tales to Contrary, I. W. W. Organizer
Spends Day Receiving ‘Donations.’
—–
VIRGINIA, Dec. 2.-Joseph Ettor leading organizer of the I. W. W. on the Mesaba range, reported to have quit the defense committee flat last evening, was back on the job here today with his sleeves rolled up and perspiration on his brow from the laborious task of signing postal money orders, counting cash and drafts that rolled in for the defense fund.
Judging from the stack of orders in front of Ettor at I. W. W. headquarters, he was very much on the job collecting the fund. He evaded making a comment or statement on his alleged failure to render a financial statement to headquarters.
Besides Judge O. N. Hilton of Denver, Colo., the defense committee has secured other attorneys notorious as defenders in strike and labor disturbances for the trial. L. Whitsell, of California, and A. H. Lesuer, president of People’s college in Fort Smith, Kas., and former mayor of Minot, are two others who will share in the defense fund. Victor L. Power, Hibbing mayor and John A. Keyes, Duluth, will assist in the defense of the eight charged with the Myron crime.
John A. Keyes appealed to all the new orators and organizers and fund collectors, that are swarming over the Mesaba range, in a communication received here to use the recent increased wage of the United States Steel Corporation for getting more money from the miners and laborers. According to Keyes the only purpose of the steel company to granting their universal raise was to “placate” their employes in Minnesota alone and “lend an effect on the coming trial.”
Offered as evidence of the wide territory in which the I. W. W. have spread their defense propaganda, a communication and resolution from Tom Mann, secretary of the English Transport Workers in Liverpool, England is being circulated. According to the defense committee ample funds are being received from the English transport workers and that they are conducting the campaign in England.
Secretary Mann in the resolution sent here expresses indignation at the brutal behaviour of those who have “violated liberty.” The resolution further reads that the transport workers consider “it their duty to make it generally known in European countries from which these miners are drawn the treatment accorded.”
———-
[Photograph added.]
From The Duluth News Tribune of December 4, 1916:
I. W. W. SOUNDS WARNING NOTE
—–Intimate Strike Will Follow Possible
Conviction of Alleged Murderers.
—–
VIRGINIA, Dec. 3.-An ultimatum was sounded at the I. W. W. mass meeting today by Elizabeth Gurley Flynn that if any of the eight defendants charged with the murder of James Myron were convicted on any charge in the face of any evidence or circumstances, the Mesaba range miners would lay down their tools and walk out for 24 hours as a protest. Further intimations by the I. W. W. speakers were that the protest would grow into a strike to demonstrate that the I. W. W. “did not agree with any verdict except acquittal.”
Although the trial date has not been set, the I. W. W. expect to spread the protest doctrine “up an down the range” for massing the miners for the possible walkout.
[At the climax of her passionate appeal, Miss Flynn shouted:]
In event justice is not meted out and the eight charged with the Biwabik tragedy are acquitted, we want the miners to lay down their tools for 24 hours. No matter what happens, we want to show that we don’t agree with the court if any are found guilty on any charge to demonstrate our faith.
A cheer met the statement, half of the 1,500 persons present standing up to fulfill the protest pledge.
“There is need of strike to stir up public opinion,” remarked Miss Flynn, when her audience quieted.
Alleged wanton destruction of life by the steel trust told of with all the verbal horror and vehemence possible was laid before the miners as their fate if the coming trial was lost and they did not organize for the protest.
[Added Miss Flynn:]
The steel trust is going to wreck vengeance on the eight defendants charged with killing a gunman to make up for the $20,000 raise you miners shook out of them from making them fear and respect you.
For the aid of the defendants she urged all miners to wear the adopted buttons, give a percentage of their increased wages for their defense and “give freely.”
Alluding to free speech, Miss Flynn declared a legal precedent was going to be established in the Virginia trial that would insure labor revolters the right of free speech, to organize and to strike.
[She added:]
The law that holds speakers guilty of crimes committed at public meetings was born in the Hay Market riot case, and we are going to make a new precedent in this coming trial. A victory here means establishing a basis of law for an impartial survey of the Everett trial to come.
In bitter terms Mis Flynn let loose a selection of adjectives describing her opinion of the Everett vigilance committee, for the riot in which “52 of our brothers were murdered and wounded.” The campaign for their defense fund it was announced would be next in order. Joseph Ettor is in Minneapolis to appeal for money at the American Federation of Labor meeting. Leo L. Aukki, of Duluth, spoke in Finnish.
———-
[Photograph added.]
From The Duluth News Tribune of December 5, 1916:
“FELLOW-WORKER” SCHMIDT WILL RETURN TO JAIL
—–
VIRGINIA, Dec. 4.-Joe Schmidt, after being at liberty under $2,000 cash bail put up by the I. W. W. defense committee, will return to jail in Duluth tomorrow and remain imprisoned with the seven others charged with the Biwabik shooting last summer. Schmidt was released six weeks ago when his wife was ill in Scranton, Pa., and their child died. He has since moved his family to Virginia.
“I have no business to be at liberty and I am going back with the others.” said Schmidt.
The bail money will be put into the defense fund.
Judge Hilton of Denver, leading lawyer of the I. W. W. for the trial is expected in Virginia today.
———-
[Photograph added.]
From The Duluth News Tribune of December 6, 1916:
“FELLOW-WORKER” SCHMIDT IN JAIL
—–
Gives Self Up So That Bail Money May Be Used.
—–
Denying his guilt of wrong-doing during the strike of the Mesaba range miners, Joseph Schmidt, I. W. W. organizer, facing a murder charge along with Carlo Tresca and Sam Scarlett, returned to his cell in the county jail at Duluth yesterday.
The trio is charged with complicity in the murder of Deputy Sheriff James C. Myron July 3, 1916. Schmidt was released from custody on a $2,000 bond Nov. 25 to return to his home in Scranton, Pa., where his wife was critically ill.
The I. W. W. organizer expressed his gratitude for kindness shown by friends in furnishing the bond. “I was let out of jail because my baby boy died,” he said, “and my wife was dangerously ill. I have returned from Scranton with my wife. While she has not fully recovered I believe she will soon be well.”
Schmidt came back voluntarily to enter jail, declared Attorney John A. Keyes, legal representative of the I. W. W. defendants. “He surrendered himself so that the $2,000 bail money could be returned to the defense fund,” the attorney stated.
———-
Judge Orrin N. Hilton Arrives!
JUDGE HILTON AT VIRGINIA.
BIWABIK, Dec. 5.-Judge O. N. Hilton of Denver, Colo., leading defense attorney for the eight I. W. W. defendants held for the murder of James Myron was here today making an investigation preliminary to the trial. He interviewed many of the residents, who will be called as witnesses in the action when tried before District Judge Martin Hughes in Virginia.
———-
[Photograph added.]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SOURCES
The Labor World
(Duluth, Minnesota)
-Dec 2, 1916
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78000395/1916-12-02/ed-1/seq-3/
The Duluth News Tribune
(Duluth, Minnesota)
-Dec 3, 1916, page 6
-Dec 4, 1916, page 7
-Dec 5, 1916, page 5
-Dec 6, 1916, page 5
-Dec 6, 1916, page 9
http://www.genealogybank.com/
IMAGES
Masonovich-P.& M. & Boarders, ISR, Sept 1916
https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=SVRIAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&source=gbs_atb&pg=GBS.PA161
Joseph Ettor, Smiling Joe
http://spartacus-educational.com/USAettor.htm
Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Reno Gz-Jr, July 12, 1916
https://www.newspapers.com/image/147168974/
MN Iron Range Strike, Tresca Scarlett Schmidt Button, 1916
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lbc1ic/x-lbc.0321/LBC0321.TIF
Tresca Scarlett Schmidt, ISR, Nov 1916
https://books.google.com/books/reader?id=SVRIAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&output=reader&source=gbs_atb&pg=GBS.PA298
Hilton Defends Mesabi Strikers, Lansing MI State Jr, Sept 11, 1916
https://www.newspapers.com/image/206791786/
See also:
Tag: Minnesota Iron Miners Strike of 1916
https://weneverforget.org/tag/minnesota-iron-miners-strike-of-1916/
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