The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-08-02
TRA|T0ROUS |. ". ". LEADER
STRUNG UP BY MONTANA MEN

BUTTE, Mont. Aug. 1.-Author-
tiles tonight are making every
effort to apprehend the viailantes
who were responsible for the
Iynching of Frank Little, an In
dustriai Worker of the World
leader, early today.
The police officials, the sheriff
and his deputies and the county
attorney all say they have no
clue which might lead to the dis.
covery of the identity of the men.
The owner of the roomiaa
house was so frightened that she
failed to notice which direction
the men took when they left with
their victim. She stated that she
could not recognize any of the
men If she were to meet them
again.
Members Of the Metal Mine
Workers union, In which Little
had taken an active part since
his arrival In this city three
weeks ago, held meeting this
afternoon to discuss the situation.
Although some of the more radi-
cal members advised immediate
drastic action, conservation pre-.
vailed and the leaders advised the
men to "keep their mouths shut"
An intensely bitter feeling is
prevalent among the miners, and
threats Of retaliation are fire.
quently heard.
BUTTE, Mont, Aug. 1,--Frank Lit
tie, member Of the executive board o
the Industrial Workers Of the World
and leader in labor troubles in Ari
IONA, was taken from lodging hous'
early to-day by masked men ant
hanged to a railroad trestle on the out
skirts of the city.
Since his arrival in Butte recent.
from Globe, Ariz., Little had made ;
OF speeches to strikers. in al
Of which he had attacked the govern
ment and urged the men TO shut dowr
the mines Of the Butte district. HI
was bitter in his denunciation Of th'
government. His record was under in
vestigation by the Federal authorities
whose attention had been called TO hi!
activities. On the other hand, the re
port was current that Little was II
the employ Of a detective agency, ant
one theory was that he was the victin
of, the radical element Of whom III
to be a member.
Little took a leading part in rccen
labor troubles in Arizona. He ad
dressed letter to Governor Campbell
Of Arizona, protesting against the dc
portation of |. ". ". members from
Bisbee. This letter was written frcn
Salt Lake. Governor Campbell re
piled, telling Little he resented his in
reference and his threats. Little WI!
to have the confidence o
William D. Haywood, secretary Of tht
|. W. W. national organization, AM
was regarded here as one OF Hay
woods confidential agents
Little was cripple, bu; active. AM
a forceful speaker.
On Little's body was card hearing
the words:
First and last warning. Others
take notice. Eig.lanteS"
Little was taken out Of the build
ing in which he lodged by a party o
masked men, who took him away in al
automobile. He was not given time
10 dress. The building is near. tht
Finn hall. which is headquarters fol
the now Metal Mine Workers union
which recently called strike of min
ers apd which was frequently ad
dressed hy Little.
The card found on Little's bod!
when he. was cut down was pinned Il
the underclothng on his right thigh
1t bore In red crayon letters the in
scriptlon:
Others take notice. First and las
warning. 3.7.77. l.. d. C. S. S. "
T."
A circle was about the letter a.,
The letters were inscribed with a lea'
pencil.
The figures "3.7-77" are the old sigI
OF the Vigilantes in Montana. The
custom OF tho EigilanteS WIS tn senc
three warnings to Il marked man. th'
third and last being written in red.
Six masked mon in an automobile
drove up 10 the front Of Littlr's hnl"
at five minutes after 2 o'clock. On
stood upon tho sidewalk in front Of thr
rooming house. The others entered
Without speaking The men quickly
broke into Room No. 20 on The Crounr
noor. Light from an electric torct
showed them The room was unoccu
CONTINUED on Page Ten.)