The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1913-08-14

crowds about them on the streets that
traffic was blocked. Officers ordered
them to speak elsewhere but they re-
fused to bulge an inch, stating that
this is country of free speech and
they defed the law. The speakers
abused the Salvation Army and q
number of prominent citizens. They
hurled defiance at the laws Of our
land and made veiled threats. An i'm
mense crowd gathered Friday night
and there were several near street
fights. A. C. Olander, cigar man
ufacturer, happened along with his
auto and he stopped to hear the
speaker. His machine was making a
little noise and some fellow stepped
from the crowd and ordered him to
move on. Olander grew incensed and
opened the muffler of his machine,
making a fearful noise for several
moments.
Socialist Secretary Arrested.
H. E. Thompson, secretary Of the
Socialist local, was placed under ar
rest by "Babe" Marsh, member OF
the fire department, who is endowed
with the power of police officer in
times like these. Thompson did not
resist arrest and vent to Jail, with
great crowd folio wing. He gave bail
and was released the next day tho
he was arrested the following day.
Thompson is charged with creating
disturbance.
Carl Berg, a prominent Socialist,
was arrested that night near the city
Jail. It is stated that he refused to
stand back when the officers warned
him to do SO.
OGcers Decide.
Up to this time, the local police had
been debating what was best to be
done. No one desired to interfere
with the strangers. They had not
committed any acts Of violence, but
| their actions had been contrary to law
in many respects. They persisted In
blocking the streets and dssseeminglyi
courted arrest. The police decided
Saturday that if the speakers assem-
bled a crowd on the streets again, ar
rests would follow.
That night a much greater crowd
than ever assembled. The speakers
grew more rabid than ever.
Rotten Eggs Thrown.
Someone threw several dozen rotten
eggs from the top of one of the build
ings. The eggs for the most part went
wide of their mark and struck limo
cent bystandcrs, ruining several suits
of clothes. Several members of the l..
w. w were struck.
A number of special police officers
had been appointed and Sheriff Kel-
ley and his deputies were called to
assist. A large number OF arrests
were made on the streets that night.
Several If the officers went to the
jungles last night and brot in many.
The city Jail was nearly full before
morning, scores Of arrests having been
made.
/. w. WIS Do Not Resist.
Evidently the I. w. W.s had receiv-
ed instructions from the leaders not
to resist arrest, but to accompany the
officers in q peaceable manner. This
they did in every instance, despite the
fact that some of the men are known
to be mighty tough citizens. At the
jungles where the officers rounded up
big bunch bunch Sunday y;oan the .ts %sn we're we're
were allowed to finish their meal be-
fore being taken to the city Jail. Some
Of them invited Judge Murray to par
ticipate, but he refused. The men ate
out Of big kettle, using large spoons,
and one fellow had big wooden
spoon. They broke bread in true camp
style. As they were marched of to
jail they sang their I. w. W. songs
and continued to sing long into the
night. They could be heard for
blocks.
rs a!s.t =! . |
Took Number to County Jail.
\ Twenty-four Of the /. w WIS were
taken to the county jail Sunday after
noon, Sheriff Kelley and his deputies
having no trouble to land them be-
hind the bars. They sang as they ]
marched and one carried big I. WI
w. banner.
These men appeared before Judge
Murray Monday but as they asked
for time in which to secure counsel
from Chicago, the Judge granted them
continuance until Monday. The
prisoners are being given the best Of
care, plenty of good food to eat and
they will be given q fair trial The
Independent understands that the
maximum penalty if convicted on the
charge on which they were arrested is
q 800 fine or q light sentence in the
county jail.
. Many i. w. fW.s Not Arrested.
There are still many !. w W.s in
the city who have not been arrested.
II they continue to be peaceable they
will not be molested. IL any disturb
ance is raised, the officers will not hes
itate to place them under arrest.
Nearly fifty arrived from the east
Tuesday afternoon.
Continued on page 12.) Y