The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1918-03-19

40 Atoulb VI int l. " w e
agitation, caused by the change
of venue in the trial of William
M. Nelson, charged with criminal
syndicalism, so United States SOL
dIers from Fort Wright, under
command of Lieutenants Stiffson
and Martin, and the same number
of state troops under command
of Captain Herman Taylor, ar
rived in the city Saturday morn
ing. The call for troops to as
sist in handling the situation was
made to Governor Alexander by
Sheriff holland Friday evening.
Prior to the arrival of the
troops all trains and boats had
been closely guarded by citizens
deputized by the sheriff and no
member of the l. w. w. was per-
mitted to leave. One hundred and
twenty armed citizens patrolled
the streets Friday night to pre-
vent any disorder. This action
was decided upon at a meeting of
the citizens held early Friday
evening in response to reports
that the I. w. w. intended to
plaster the entire town with
stickers. 1t was also reported that
a demand would be made for the
release Of two of their number
arrested the day before for put
ting up stickers regarding the
change of venue asked by the
state. 1t was decided at the meet
ing that any attempt on the part
Of the /. w. w. to remove the
prisoners from the Jail would be
promptly met with armed resist
ance and any member of that or
eanization attempting to plaster
the town with stickers would be
summarily dealt with.
Saturday afternoon a meeting
of the l. w. w. on their lot on
1st street was broken up by the
soldiers under command Of
Lieutenant Stiffson, who ordered
them to dispense. When asked if
the city was under martial law
the Lieutenant stated that it was
not that he represented the
United States government and the
meeting should be Immediately
dispersed. Later the state troops
under Captain Taylor placed un-
der arrest forty of the members
.of the organization. An eXamina-
ton of these men was immediate
ly started, the agitators and or
ganizers being held and the re-
naming being released upon
signing an oath of allegiance to
the constitution and government
of the United States. The men
who were released were given a
passport signed by Sheriff holland
and permitted to leave the city
No l. w. w. without a passport
is permitted to leave.
A report was received Saturday
morning that an l. w. w. was
Offering large sums to secure a
conveyance in which to leave the
city. Investigation showed thai
this man had hired a launch to
take him to ChatcOlet and wore
was Immediately telephoned tC
George Cornell, superintendent O-
Hepburn park, to apprehend him
THE man had already left Chat
colet, walking down the railroad
TRACK towards Plummer but Mr.
lCornell secured a speeder ant
lovertook him about two miles
from ChatcOlet. He was brOugh
back to this city on the evening
lboat and was identified as Nell
Madison, J chairman Of the organ
lization committee of the SpOkan
II. w. w. A letter which hal
previously been seized by tn
authorities states that Madison
Twas in the city for the purpose o
lplacing witnesses for the Nelsol
| trial.
Adiutant General Moody az
rived in the city Sunday from
lRoise TO represent the GovePnO
and at once went into consulta