Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-09-25

intelligence of these citizens by refer
ring to my address as IAN melting
speech
The Telegram neglects to set forth
the circumstances under which 1 made
the statement that West Virginia
should be placed under the constitu-
ton of the United States. This staff
ment appears in a night letter which
sent to Walter Lanfersiek, National
Secretary of the Socialist party, Ill
North Market ST., Chicago, ILL.,, naent
my brutal arrest and Imprisonment at
Monongas on tse evening of August 10.
This telegram was reproduced on, the
advertising of our courthouse meeting
am an organizer for the National
Socialist 4party and have followed
this work with but little interruption
since Jue, 1908. l have explained the
principles of Socialism indoors and
outdoors, in large and small cities of
certainly forty states of the union. l
experienced my first molestation at
Monongah. On the occasion of my
arrest 1 was about my usual work in
the usual manner. I was manhandled
by brutal officers who refused either
to make charge or to display author
ity for interfering with our meeting.
My arms were so badly bruised that
almost three weeks after the arrest
traces of the marks still remain.
vas placed in utter darkness in an
ron cage in a filthy jail, the stencil of
which furnishes ample occasion for in
reference by the health officers. The
'ecitation of these facts is, of course,
"inciting"
Now comes a still more 1agrant out
rage to ]. Vern Johnston, the gentle
nan who introduced me at the courl
house meteing. He was assaulted b.
one of party of three gunner Oh
the evening of September 6, as he step
ped from B. & O.. train in Catawba
The hour was between five and sig
O'Clock. Mr.. Johnston's business in
Catawba was to perfect the organiza
ton of a Socialist local for which Mr.
J. H. Snyder and myself had secured
signatures some days before. MI
Johnston observed that he was follow
ed from Fairmont. He recognized as
one of his pursuers man who ha6
followed us to two meetings in Fair
mont. one of which Mr.. Johnston at
tended. This man was present when
I was arrested in Monongah. He has
logged my footsteps from the time
my arrival in this community. That
he is now party to an attack upon one
of our workers is proof that my fears
for my personal safety while he is
following me, are justified.
Mr.. Johnston's assailant struck him
on the side of the head and in the
ribs on both sides, kicked yiciously at
him, called him vile names and tore
from his hand a package Of organiza
ton supplies, which were not recover
ed. Our Fairview friend stood looking
on. A third man who had accom-
panied the other two from Fairmont
put his head out at the car window and
said, "Give it to him." Johnston's as
sailant and his companion stepped up
on the train as it moved away, kick
ing Johnston's hat from the steps
where it lay. Many persons witness
ed the. attack but all was over and
done before those present realized
what was happening. Both of Mr..
Johnston's hands were engaged with
packages and he was, of course, un-
armed.
The editor Of The Telegram would
have you believe that the message of
Socialism is neither legitimate nor
worthy. Said Frances IA Willard to-
ward the close Of her heroic life, $50
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