‘Aberdeen Full of Thugs’ from the Industrial Worker (Spokane). Vol. 3 No. 37. December 7, 1911.

A LULL IN THE STORM-700 AUTHORIZED THUGS TO STOP FREEDOM OF SPEECH-MAYOR PARKS THREATENS TO MURDER.

ABERDEEN, Wash., Dec. 1.-Aberdeen is quiet after the storm. The I.W.W.’s have left, and can’t come back now if they want to. In fact, they did petition the mayor for permission to return peaceably, and were refused. So say the citizens.

Sympathizers with the organization, however, say guardedly that the “woods are full” of I.W.W.’s waiting for the proper time to strike a second blow against the town which, they say, has denied them the right of free speech.

The bustling lumber town is in a hubbub of excitement. The recent “invasion” is the topic of conversation on every street corner. Every one is aroused. “Aberdeen for law and order,” is the motto.

The 700 citizen police are still in authority and have their hickory ax handles and stout wagon wheel spokes handy in case they are needed again. The town is unnaturally quiet-like the calm before a storm. Serious men realize that the war may not yet be ended, and are waiting.

When the first skirmish took place five men mounted soap boxes on prominent street corners and demanded the right to preach their doctrine wherever they pleased. They were arrested. The next night 150 men wearing red tags made a demonstration before the city jail in favor of their imprisoned comrades. City officials ordered out the fire department and the crowd of I.W.W.’s and many bystanders were soaked with water. Several arrests followed. Friday Mayor Parks gave the oath to 500 special police. The number has since been swelled to 700. The I.W.W.’s attempted to hold a meeting in the Empire theater and the hardest struggle of the week took place. Citizen police patrolled all streets in squads and arrested every man they could find wearing the red tag of the I.W.W.’s. The meeting was dispersed.

Friday at midnight came the sensational “silent cure.” Thirty of the ringleaders under arrest were taken to the eastern edge of the town by a strong guard of citizens. They were stationed several feet apart and not allowed to talk.

“Don’t hurry, boys; the tar isn’t hot yet,” was the only word spoken by the Vigilance committee. The prisoners had no knowledge of their fate. In the band were men who have for years been citizens of Aberdeen. They were drummed out of town for a difference of opinion with their fellows in authority.

Each man was given two loaves of bread and told to move, and keep moving. “God be with you if you keep going; God help you if you come back,” was the final word as the party moved across the bridge.

The men have left the country. It is said they are gathering in Seattle, where a meeting will be held in February to discuss further plans for securing their rights.

“We surprised them at their own game,” said Mayor Parks. “They thought we would arrest them and throw them in jail, at a great expense to the town. We arranged the citizen police plan of getting rid of them, and I think it was a wise move. I hardly think they will return.”

“If the I. W. W.’s come back we have little jail room for them, but plenty of rope. Their diet will be bread and water, with lots of water,” are the two expressions frequently heard.

“Can the I.W.W.’s come back?” That is the interesting question at Aberdeen right now.-Spokane Press.

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