Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1917-08-08
I. w. w. LEADER IS LYNCHED.
Masked Mob Hang Man to Bridge
Seeking tho Criminals.

tonight were making every effort to
apDrehend the mob members reSpon-
sible for lynching Frank Little an
Industrial Worker Of the World lea
der, here early to-day, but it was
said that no clue had come to their
attention. Members OF the Metal
Mine Workers Union, in which Lit
tie had taken prominent part, de-
clared, however, that they knew five
Of the lynchers and were on the trail
Of another.
Three hundred national guardsmen
were sent here to-day to preserve Or
der and more are ell route.
The metal workers union held a
mass meeting this afternoon to dis
cuss the situation, and although the
more radical ones advised drastic ac-
ton, conservatism prevailed and
leaders advised the men to keep
their mouths shut"
Joe Shannon, one Of Littlcs asso-
ciates, Tom Campbell and a fourth
man whose name lie would not men
ton were declared by William Sulli-
van, attorney for the metal workers,
to have "been marked to go" by the
Vigilantes. Sullivan and the metal
workers had been warned that Lit
tie would be the first victim. He
added that every precaution had been
taken and that I'VE had the marked
men change rooms ever so often"
Little was taken from a lodging
house early to-day by masked men
and hanged to railroad trestle on
the outskirts Of the city. The body
was cut down at s a. m. by the chief
OF police, who identified it. Little,
in a recent speech here, referred to
United States troops as Uncle Sam
scabs In uniform.'
Since his arrival in Butte recently
from Globe, Ariz., Little had made Il
number OF speeches to strikers, in
which he attacked the government
and urged the men to shut down the
mines Of the Butte district. His rec
ord was under investigation by the
Federal authorities.
Little took n leading part in recent
labor troubles in Arizona. He wrote
Governor Campbell OF Arizona from
Salt Lake protesting against the de-
portation OF |. w. w. workers from
Bisbee. Governor Campbell replied
telling Little he resented his inter-
ference and his threats. Little was
understood to have the confidence Of
VIM. ID. Haywood, secretary Of the
!. w. w. national organization, and
was regarded here as one OF Hay
woods confidential agents. Little
was a cripple, but active and a force
full speaker.
On Little's body was card bear
ing the words, 'First and last warn
ing. Others take notice. Vigilantes. +"
Little was taken out Of the build
ing in which he lodged by a party of
masked men who took him away in
| an automobile. He was not given
time to dress. The building is near
the Finn Hall, which is headquarters
for the new Metal Mine Workers
Union which recently called a strike
Of miners and which was frequently
| addressed by Little.
The card found on Litte's body
| when he was cut down was pinned
| to the underclothing on his right
| thigh. 1t bore in red crayOn letters
the inscription:
| Others take notice. First and
last warning. 3-7--77. L.D.C.S.S.
w. r."
There was circle about the letter
L.. The letters were Inscribed with
a lead pencil.
The figures "3-7-77" are the old
sign OF tho Vigilantes in Montana.
The custom Of the Vigilantcs was to
send three warnings to marked
man, the third and last being written
in red.
Six masked men in an automobile
drove up to the front of Little's no.
tel at sos. One stood upon the side
walk in front Of the rooming house.
The others entered.
The men quickly broke into room
No. 80 on the ground floor. Light
from an electric torch showed them
the room was unoccupied. Mrs
! ora Byrne, owner OF the hotel, who
was awakened by the noise. occupied
an adjoining room at the front of the
building.