Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1914-11-14
TROUBLE SQUAD TELL HOW
ToNoPAH SUFFERED
FROM MIDNIGHT
-. FLAMES
ONE FIRE BUG
A WATTS SENTENCE
I. w. w. HAVE MISSION OF
SABOTAGE AND CARE
NOT FOR LIVES
IMPERlLED

The destruction by fire of a theatre
and 13 dwellings in Tonopah and the
burning of the Yellow Tiger-plant at
Goldfeld have, it has been determin-
ed by full and free confession, been
the result of the battle cry of "sabot-
age" by the Industrial Workers of
the World, as stated In the Independ-
ent yesterday, and now confirmed.
Boris Thomassen has made the
confession and tomorrow he will re-
ceive at the hands of Judge Mark R.
Averill of Tonopah what the law
deems adequate punishment.
Alien Plies Torch ....
Thomassen is not the true name of
the incendiary. He is mixed Russian
and German and has been in this
country only five years. Thomassen
is an. anglicization of his almost un-
pronounceable cognomen.
He was one of the 26 1. w. w. who
beat their way to Reno several weeks
ago and who were permitted to re-
main there one day, supplying their
larder through importuning house
holders. They then beat their way
from Sparks to Hazen on a freight
train.
1t was realized by Chief Evans of
Tonopab that that city was their OBJ
jectiVe point and an appeal was sent
to the Southern Pacific officials and
to township, county and state Off
GERS to prevent their invasion of the
silver camp.
Squad Refuses Work
NJ. ]. Hewitt, Southern Pacific de-
tective; Capt. J. P. Donnelley of the
state police, and local officers res
ponded. At Iazen there was a clash
between the industrials and the Off
GERS. The former were prevented
from riding trains from Hazen and
they walked to Lahontan. There they
attempted to live off the people and
the government officials asked for
aid, which was sent speedily. The
| ]. w. w. were offered work on the
government dam, but refused It, say
ing they had mission at Tonopah."
The Theil detective agency sent re-
inforcements to the local officers and
1t Is learned that detective armed
with gripful of dictagraphs, possess
ed also Of an /. w. w. card, joined the
trouble makers. and was accepted as a
comrade.
The trouble squad" as they named
themselves, were compelled to tramp
all the way ito Nina, where two were
Jailed on disorderly charges. Section
houses along the way were levied upon
for provisions and at one place clo-
thing also was taken.
1t Is learned that the I. w. w. sent
money to the marchers from Tonopah
to various places along the line. When
Nina was reached, similar precautions
we're taken to prevent the 26 trouble.
makers from riding trains over the
Tonopah & Goldheld railway.
"It was amusing" says Detective
Hewlett, ito note the angry demon,
straions when I abused the detective
who was member of the party and
threatened him with arrest"
Few !. w. w. Citizens
All the members Of the gang, ac
cording to another officer, were yount
and few of them were citizens of the
United States. In conversation amont
themselves they frequently referret
to themselves as the trouble squad,
and narrated how they had accom-
plished sabotage at various places Z
which they had been sent, particular,
} at Wheatlnd, Cal, and at points Il
Utah. They took pride in their "mit