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Hellraisers Journal – Monday March 6, 1911
I. W. W. Army Hikes Over Siskiyou Pass on Way to Fresno
From the Spokane Industrial Worker of March 2, 1911:
Hornbrook, Cal., February 19.
Fellow Worker [Thomas] Whitehead:
I guess by this time that our “doings” have been given publication to some extent in the capitalist press. We were 150 strong when we left Portland. Now the capitalist papers say that we held up a train, WHICH IS A D–N LIE. All we did was to get into an empty box-car, just as any ordinary stiff, but it was so well managed that no railroad bull or police knew we were in the yards at Portland, until we were well away.
We were met by the police at Albany, Ore., whom we talked to. Told them where we were going, and what we were going to do. One big fellow, mayor, or something, sent the first news to the press of the armed-mob, etc., WHICH WAS ALSO A LIE, as we are all searched every day by our own police. When we got to Junction City (put it on the map) we were met by a mob of respectable citizens, who were armed with guns, pitchforks, cleavers, etc. They boarded the train, and told us not to get off the train, and with the guns pointed in our faces, we just laughed at them. Told them what we were and what we were going to do, using the top of a box-car for a soap box, which made them look very small indeed.
We then went to Roseburg and had some supper, WHICH WE PAID FOR. Held a street meeting, and told the people what we were doing, got a collection, with all good wishes from the people of this town.
Next we got to Ashland and got off the train and had a jungle breakfast, WHICH WE PAID FOR. When we got off the train we were told we could not ride any farther and as walking is good for a change, after breakfast we started to walk towards the Siskiyou mountains. We arrived at Stenman that evening, and spent the worst time of our life out on the mountains. Next we got to Siskiyou after walking over the mountains, and bought all the grub that was in the town, and had a jungle feed again. Two men were sent on ahead to California to make arrangements to cross the state line. Arriving at Hornbrook we were met by the sheriff and all his deputies. We explained our mission, told who we were, what we stood for. We got a great reception, the town people running over each other to help us out, and they gave us about $30.00 in grub, which was not asked for. Enough to feed 150 men for two meals each. The police and others took up the subscription list, with the above results. The whole town was swarming with state police, deputies, etc. We sent a letter to the “Industrial Worker,” but don’t know if it got through. If not send a copy on the “Worker” “Solidarity,” and every paper you can get to publish it. I am sending this through a friend of the movement. Hoping you will do your duty at that end of the line.
Yours for Free Speech and the Eight-Hour Day.
(Signed)
THE WHOLE BUNCH AT HORNBROOK, CAL.P. S.: The letter referred to has not yet landed.-Editor.
[Note: Fred W. Heslewood-Editor, Joseph O’Neil-Ass’t Editor]———-
Dunsmuir, Cal., Feb. 23.-Eighty strong, the Industrial Workers of the World are no longer tramping, but are riding in a special car of a theatrical company, arriving here at 7 o’clock last night.
The leading actress of the company [May Roberts] arranged supper for them all at a restaurant in the city and citizens provided sleeping quarters for them in the Knights of Pythias hall. The pilgrims show the effects of their trip through the snow of the mountains of the Siskiyou.
These Industrial Workers will remain in town all day, speaking in the streets this afternoon and evening.-“Spokane Chronicle.”
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[Emphasis added.]
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SOURCE & IMAGES
Industrial Worker
(Spokane, Washington)
-Mar 2, 1911
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iw/v2n50-w102-mar-02-1911-IW.pdf
See also:
From same issue of Industrial Worker:
-page 1: “To the Tax Payers of Fresno, California”
(Wobs ask only for fair fight.)
-page 2: “Auction Sale of the City of Fresno, Cal.”
-page 2: “On to Fresno Is the Cry”
(Wobs coming from St Louis and Chicago.)
-page 3: “Free Speech Fighters Leaving Portland Determined to Win Fresno Fight.” by E. S. Nelson
-page 3: FHL in Back in Jail
-page 3:”Jail Full of IWWs”
Tag: Thomas Whitehead
https://weneverforget.org/tag/thomas-whitehead/
Daily People’s Cause, Red Bluff CA, Feb 24, 1911-IWW at Home in Dunsmuir, Actress May Roberts
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/72780992/daily-peoples-cause-red-bluff-ca-feb/
Tag: Fresno Free Speech Fight of 1910-1911
https://weneverforget.org/tag/fresno-free-speech-fight-of-1910-1911/
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Hold The Fort