The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-10-23
KICKED AND MANHANDLED,
THEN THROWN INTO THE
STOCKADE.
Railroad Officials Don't Like the So.
cialsts.

Last Friday Comrade Walter p,
Blakeslee, of Bellingham, came to the
Commonwealth office with a story of
official lawlessness and unprovoked
violence that is hard to believe.
Comrade Blakeslee is drummer for
the Everlast Shoe Co, of New York,
and was on one of his regular trips to
Skykomish.
Never heard of Skykomish?
Well, Skykomish is on the map
now. Also it is on record.
But to go on with the story.
Having spent the day selling shoes,
Comrade Blakeslee betook him to THE
hotel, run by one Mrs. Manning, and
the chambermaid. Yes, the chamber
maid had an active part in this drama.
While eating his dinner in the COM
mon dining-room, Comrade Blakeslee
noticed that one of three very import
ant individuals present had his cold
grey eyes fastened on the Socialist
button that adorned the lapel of his
coat At the time he gave the matter
little or no thought.
Let us remark in passing that the
gentlemen with whom Blakeslee had
the honor to dine were the vice-presi-
dent, general manager and some other
official of the Great Northern railway,
come to examine into the matter of
some landslides in the tunnel not far
distant.
Having satisfied the inner man-as
near as may be in Skykomish-Com-
rade Blakeslee went to his room,
which had been engaged and paid for
during the day.
Ordered Out.
In a few moments there was a knock
at the door. When it was opened, the
chambermaid stepped into the room
and told BIakeslee to take his things
and beat it.
"Why should u" Blakeslee asked.
"'Cause we don't want no Socialists
around here-that's the reason"
"Wen," replied Blakeslee, "Pve
paid for this room and it's mine until
morning, so right here I stay"
"Wem see if you will" threatening
ly rejoined the indignant woman.
And Blakeslee saw.
It was not long before he was being
dragged out by burly brute Of dep
uty sheriff, who handled his victim as
through he had just been detected in
foul crime of some kind.
Comrade Blakeslee is somewhat OF
cripple, with his right hand and wrist
amputated. The cowardly ruffian who
wears the badge of a King county
deputy sheriff had an easy time OF 1t,
and, like all bullies, seemed to enjoy
his contemplate job.
what are you doing around here
anyway?" this brave patriot and de-
fender of the Stars and Stripes de-
manded to know.
"You Cd - Socialist! You
can't light around here. Now you take
the first train east or west, and I'll
let you go. See?"
AS Comrade Blakeslee showed no
signs of repentance, and insisted on
his right to come and go as he pleased,
the brave and gallant defender of law
and order started to drag the unof-
Tending american citizen" to the
stockade. When he stumbled and fell,
the loyal patriotic brute kicked Blakes-
less in the groin, and dragged him to
his feet again. The Stars and Stripes
weren't working, apparently.
"How much money have you got?
I've a notion to arrest you for a yag
and give you thirty days in the stock
ade."
AS the comrade had $4,000 in his
pocket the brave brute arrested him
for disorderly conduct and threw him
into the local stockade, where he re-
mained exposed to the chilly night for
two hours and a half.
Then the representative of law and
order returned anu LlSH ~ tN'
Blakeslee an oath that he would have
nothing more to do with the blankety
blank blank Socialists Failing in this
third-degree work to extort any kind OF
promise, and seeing that his vile and
obscene language and bullying could
not accomplish what he wanted. the
patriotic officer departed leaving
Comrade BIakeslee i'm the dark, damp
and chilly stockade.
Meanwhile, word had reached the
mayor of Skykomish of what the dep
.utyo was doing. and he protested,
After four and a half hours in the
stoekade. the patriot returned and
started again on the same line Of bull
doing