You ought to be out raising hell.
This is the fighting age.
Put on your fighting clothes.
-Mother Jones
Hellraisers Journal, Sunday October 20, 1907
Boise, Idaho – George Pettibone Does Not Want Trial Delayed
From the Duluth Labor World of October 19, 1907:
PETTIBONE RUNS AWAY FROM
HOSPITAL NURSE
—–
Returns to Jail and Demands That
He be Locked in His Cell.
—–
Afraid If He Stays in Hospital He
May Not be Tried This Year.
—–
BOISE, Idaho, Oct., 17.—George A.. Pettibone escaped from St. Alphonsus’ hospital this afternoon, but before his absence had been discovered he had presented himself at the office of Sheriff Shad Hodgin and demanded that he be placed in his cell. Accompanied by his wife, he was walking about the hospital yard, and at a time when his guard was not watching he walked slowly to the county jail, half a block away.
Sheriff Hodgin was much surprised when the prisoner, unguarded, walked in on him, and could do nothing else than comply with the request of his prisoner that he be locked up. No sooner had he been placed in the big cell, which was the home of Moyer, Haywood and Pettibone for eighteen months, than there came a telephone message from the hospital to the effect that Pettibone was nowhere to be found. The sheriff allayed the fears of the hospital attendants by informing them that their patient was safe behind the bars.
Pettibone left the hospital in order to add strength to his position in demanding immediate trial. When Judge Wood talked over the matter of continuing the case with the attorneys in court last week, he said that it is certain that if the defendant is too ill to be in jail he is too sick to stand the strain of a three months’ trial. Taking his cue from this statement, Pettibone immediately asked that he be taken back to jail. His request was not complied with, and, waiting for a time when he was not noticed, he took “French leave” of the institution.
As matters now stand, the case is set for Tuesday morning, but there is still much doubt whether the trial will begin at that time. The commission appointed by Judge Wood will make an examination of the defendant’s physical condition and will make a formal report when court convenes Tuesday morning.
On the nature of this report Judge Wood will base his decision.
———-
[Photograph added.]
More from The Labor World:
PETTIBONE IS TREATED
LIKE DUMB ANIMAL
—–
Sick Man Forced to Leave Hospital
and Go to Court.
—–
Action of Authorities Severely Criticized
by Newspapers Generally.
—–
—–
BOISE, Oct., 17.-Though pale and haggard and emaciated, from his long confinement in jail and his recent sickness, George A. Pettibone was able to appear in court Saturday, and his trial set for October 15.
It is almost certain that his health will not permit of his going into the strain of a long and wearisome trial, and should the case be commenced on October 22nd as proposed, it is very probable his health would break down during the trial, to such an extent as to prevent it from continuing.
Under the caption, “A Grievous Wrong,” the Boise Citizen, in its last issue, has the following:
The state of Idaho has committed a grievous wrong against George Pettibone and, in consequence, shattered his health, and he is now in a local hospital in a serious condition. Physicians in charge are credited with the statement that an operation is necessary to restore his health, and yet they fear to perform it owing to the low vitality of the patient. The endeavor is being made to nurse him back to strength so that the operation may be performed.
Mr. Pettibone has been confined in jail for more than a year and a half and his long confinement has undermined his health until now he is practically a physical wreck. No one complains that Mr. Pettibone was held until after the trial of Haywood, but after the acquittal of the latter, in view of Mr. Pettibone’s ill health, he should have been released on bail which was applied for and which would hove been furnished in any amount by the labor union, which feels itself attacked in his arrest. We do not think the prosecution believes the bail bond would have been forfeited, and the danger of such forfeiture should have been the sole reason for refusing to grant bail. As it is, there is a heavy expense in furnishing guards and Mr. Pettibone’s health has been destroyed simply because it was in the power of the prosecution to hold him.
It is a serious question now as to whether Mr, Pettibone can stand the strain of a trial, as he is a very sick man and the date of the trial is less than one week off. If a postponement is necessary, refusal of bail would be a, cruel and inhuman act.
———-
[Photograph added.]
“Love Thru the Bars” from Pittsburg Press of June 19, 1907:
SOURCE
The Labor World
(Duluth, Minnesota)
-Oct 19, 1907
http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn78000395/1907-10-19/ed-1/seq-1/
IMAGES
HMP, Mrs Pettibone, SF Call, June 17, 1907
https://www.newspapers.com/image/87842804/
HMP, Ada County Courthse and Jail, Harpers, May 25, 1907
https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=ErZCAQAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&pg=GBS.PA763
George A Pettibone, Darrow Collection
http://moses.law.umn.edu/darrow/photo.php?pid=777
HMP, Love Thru the Bars, Ptt PA Prs, June 19, 1907
https://www.newspapers.com/image/142173851/
See also:
“Pettibone Refused Bail”
& “The Pettibone Trial”
From The Cripple Creek Strike by Emma F Langdon
http://www.rebelgraphics.org/wfmhall/langdon35.html#pettibonerefusedbail