Oct. 4, 1909: Jail “Filthy, Dirty Hole”

GIRLEY [SIC] FLYNN SENDS HORRIBLE STORY

Socialist leader relates thrilling tale to Spokane newspaper.

Riding the rods and the blinds, occupying the available empties, members of the Industrial Workers of the World from Portland and Seattle are said to be making their way toward Missoula in large numbers for the purpose of going to jail.

According to reports from the Montana town this morning, eight of the labor propagandists were jailed there last night for street speaking. Among the number was the organizer, Girley [sic] Flynn, who has on different occasions given addresses in Spokane.

“There are 100 men now en route from Seattle and about as many from Portland headed for Missoula to help Girley [sic] Flynn in her fight for free speech. It is the plan to fill the jails there,” said C. L. Filigno, secretary of the local I.W.W., today.

“About 25 members of the local I. W. W. left last night for Missoula and 30 more left this morning. Members are also coming in from the surrounding small towns and from the camps, prepared to make the trip at any time.

“Some of the men who are going over are not even members of the organization. They are anxious to help in the fight for the “freedom of speech.”

“Make Loud Noise.”

A communication has been received by the local I. W. W. from Girley [sic] Flynn, who is now in jail, according to a late report. She vividly describes the conditions in the Missoula jail and tells of the assistance given her by an engineer of the forestry department, whose name she does not mention. 

The letter is, in part, as follows:

“The charge against us is disturbing the peace and making loud noises. The judge, Small, ruled out, as irrelevant, evidence showing that the Salvation Army made far more noise than we did. 

“The boys refused to pay the $10 fine, which was the alternative of jail, and refused to put up bonds, so stayed in jail all night. It is a filthy, dirty hole under the firehouse stable, where all the filthy excrement of the place pours down upon the prisoners.

“The man who stepped up last night was a civil engineer of the United States forestry service. He had heard us speak from his office and saw one arrest. He came down and inquired what was the trouble.

“When he was told, he stepped right up and said: ‘Ladies and gentlemen, I believe in free speech; I am a socialist; we fought for it in Seattle’–but he got no further, for he was nabbed. He stood absolutely pat today, refused to say he wouldn’t speak again and went to jail like a man. He [remaining text missing].

–The Daily Missoulian, Oct. 4, 1909 

(photo from LIbrary of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.)