Guaranteed to be the most delightful read of your day. An account of a wobbly army assembling in Seattle and aiming to participate in the Fresno Free Speech fight in Southern California. Heading south by boat, foot, and train, through desert and over mountain, gathering forces as they go. An inventory of the help they received and the hardships they endured on the way, all done in the collective service to solidarity. Wonderful.

‘The Famous March to Fresno’ from Industrial Worker. Vol. 3 No. 3. April 6, 1911.

Chico, Cal., March 9, 1911. In presenting this brief account of the famous march on Fresno we make no attempt to touch all material incidents of the trip. After disbanding we find no funds on which to subsist while making a final report, so it is necessary that we act in haste.

On the 12th of February, 1911, a small body of men in the I.W.W. hall of Seattle, Wash., conceived the idea of going to Fresno, Cal., in a body to aid their fellow workers in the fight for free speech. The idea was received with a spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm and 47 men agreed to meet at one o’clock on the following day to make preparations for the expedition. At the time set all who agreed to go held a meeting. A secretary-treasurer was elected, also deciding to meet at Tacoma, 45 miles from Seattle, the same night and take a train for Portland, Oregon. This was acted upon immediately and marked the beginning of the historical march of the Industrial Workers of the World. The largest number of the 47 arrived in Tacoma for an evening street meeting, at which two fellow workers of Local 380 joined the party. After the meeting we boarded a freight train and soon were discovered by the crew who naturally ordered us to unload, but after a short controversy the I.W.W. tactics prevailed and the whole body arrived in Portland, Oregon, on the same train.

Portland I.W.W. locals and Socialist party received us with open arms and immediately preparations were made for a monstrous mass meeting to be held in the hall of Branch 1 of the Socialist Party, on the evening of Feb. 15, this allowing the balance of the party that left Seattle to rejoin us. On the afternoon of the same day we held a meeting in the I.W.W. hall, which was well attended, and on the arrival of those behind a parade of between five or six hundred was conducted through the principal streets of Portland, terminating at the S.P. hall. The meeting was a success, the house being packed to the doors, When the representatives of the I.W.W. and the Socialist Party stated the objects and mission of that body of men, a true illustration of American manhood was demonstrated by those present, who contributed liberally financially and many volunteered their services to assist in establishing free speech in Fresno. After the closing of the meeting all those intending to go to Fresno met in the I.W.W. hall to organize for the expedition. Our number had by this time. increased to 133, of whom 20 went by boat via Frisco. Acting upon the information of two fellow workers who were previously appointed to investigate the means of transportation, we forthwith proceeded to the East Portland freight yards, where a manifest train south hound was due to leave at 10:30 p.m. February 15. Before leaving, however, it was decided to carry no concealed weapons, therefore each member was searched as he passed out of the door and fell into double file to march across the Burnside bridge to the yards, where after a brief wait all stowed away in two merchandise cars, arriving in Albany at 7:30 a.m. the 16th without incident of note. At that place we were all invited to an empty furniture car, put in the train for our especial benefit, and we arrived in Roseburg at 6 p.m. where we had supper, consisting of bread and bologna, after which we held a street meeting, while the train crew made up a train before making the run to Ashland, where we arrived at 5 a.m. on the 17th. After a jungle breakfast we investigated a train about to leave and upon finding it carried no empty box cars, proceeded to board a string of flats on the head end. At this time the railroad officials informed us that no trains would be moved as long as we insisted on riding. The citizens’ officials admitted they were unable to cope with so large a body and offered no resistance. As the S.P. would move no trains which we boarded it was up to us to walk, and here began the memorable march toward Fresno.

The trip over the Siskiyous and Shasta mountains through rain, sleet and five feet of snow will never he forgotten by those who made the hike. We slept by camp fires in the snow, boxcars, barns, and suffered miseries long to he remembered, finally arriving at Sisson, Cal., the summit of the Shasta range, at noon February 21st, where a large mulligan, donated by citizens and prepared by our advance committee was in waiting to satisfy ravenous appetites acquired by days of walking through snow. You may have some idea of conditions at this place when we say it was necessary to clear away four feet of snow to prepare a fire and secure wood. At this place the “May Roberts Theatrical Co.” which had just concluded an engagement sympathized with us and the proof of it was shown by offering all transportation to Dunsmuir, 15 miles distant, if we would attend the show in a body. We gladly accepted this offer: 105 tickets were bought and at 5 o’clock all were comfortably seated in one of the S.P. fast trains. On arrival at Dunsmuir we found awaiting us at the opera house coffee and sandwiches supplied by the “Mav Roberts Co.” The show was attended by all and the opera house used as a dormitory that night. The day following was spent in bathing and resting and preparations were made for a 47 mile hike to Kennett. This town was reached after some hardships and suffering, the walking being exceptionally bad, owing to the recent ballasting of the track. All made it, however, although some were 30 hours, most of them with only a cup of coffee and three hot cakes under their belts when leaving Dunsmuir. At Kennett a very good meal was in waiting at the W.F. of M. hall in the Raglan building. A three days’ rest was necessary to get the army in marching order for an 18 mile hike to Redding, and here we accepted the generous hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Clineschmidt, the proprietors of the Temple hotel. Two days elapsed before we resumed our march to Cottonwood, 19 miles nearer Fresno. The same generous welcome was extended, and after breakfast of cornmeal mush and coffee we continued our march through a drenching rain storm to Red Bluff. In strong contrast to the other towns, the city officials insisted on treating us as a mob of disorderly, unorganized men, tramping through the country together to facilitate procuring food. After stopping here only as long as necessary, we were glad to leave the next morning, rather preferring to face the raging elements than the hospitality of the above named town. Marching the whole day in weather that every man placed himself in danger of being taken ill, we arrived at Vina and here welcomed as only a man with a very extensive vocabulary could properly express. Here the official information was received in regard to the surrender of Fresno to the I.W.W. forces. Vina being too small a town to disband in, it was decided to continue to Chico, 21 miles farther, where we arrived on Sunday, March 5th. The object of our mission being attained, a meeting was held on the 7th in Argonaut hall and the 92 members left of the original 133 (20 went by boat, two left behind disabled, the rest going ahead by train, with no desertions) decided to disband, and thus came to end the memorable march of free speech fighters from the Northwest on Fresno.

The Fresno Brigade were not the only ones to disband, however. The California State Police, in charge of Chief Kindelon, numbering about 35, were also ordered to their respective stations. These police were with the army from the time we left Siskiyou and never interfered with the marchers except at the above named station, when some of the members insisted on riding: this, however, was easily settled by the majority, who agreed to walk. Afterward all became quite well acquainted, the police giving information, tobacco and often were seen slipping nickels and dimes into the hat at street meetings. At this time we wish to mention those who so ably and generously assisted us on the trip. At Hornbrook we met Sheriff Dudley, who took charge of and sent to the hospital one of our party who. had his feet frozen in crossing the Siskiyous. He also assured us of the co-operation of his forces in passing through that county. This was appreciated by all concerned, as we were now in the state of California. The May Roberts Theatrical Co. paid our fares from Sisson to Dunsmuir, which would have been a bad walk, owing to the deep snow, also sup- plied a supper at the latter place and allowing us the exclusive use of the opera house. J.M. La Due next morning threw open for our convenience a restaurant in his saloon, also supplying us with food for the day. At Kennett we were received by Henry Evans, Secretary of the W.F. of M., and Karl Sheide, member of 432. I.W.W., who had arranged for our accommodations while there. We were allowed the use of the W.F. M. kitchen as well as Mr. Raglan’s hall to meet and sleep in. To Fellow Workers Sheide and Evans we owe a debt of gratitude which cannot be paid in mere words. At Coram, six miles below, a small party of us were supplied with supper, bed and breakfast by Messrs. Williams and Wilson. In Redding we were boarded by Mr. and Mrs. Clineschmidt, proprietors of the Temple hotel. At this well known hostelry we were supplied free of charge with five meals for the entire army as well as beds for 20 who were suffering from the effects of the trip. May Roberts also donated $15.00 at this place. Red Bluff, after some pressure was brought to bear upon the city fathers, they supplied us with a store building for the night and food for two meals, but not near enough to half satisfy the tired marchers. This burg stands out in bold relief and great contrast to all other towns through which we passed, as it is the only town visited by, as where we were unable to obtain the sympathy, and respect of all citizens.

At Vina we were granted the privilege of a saloon operated by Dan Potter, cooked in his yard, and the entire saloon was turned over to the wet and tired army for the night. Pape Bryan and his son Ed also provided necessities for the marchers. At Chien we were royally received by the local Chico of the S.P., who provided for us. And last, but not least. Mr. and Mrs. O.E. Swift in providing a place to stay over night and breakfast for the undersigned, making it possible for the committee to write this the only official account of the Fresno Brigade’s march from Seattle, Wash., to Chico, Cal. It will probably be impossible for the committee to give an accurate financial account, but approximately $250.00 was received and expended on the trip besides food stuffs supplied by citizens of various towns through which we passed. On disbanding and final adjustment of our accounts we find ourselves short the amount of $6.00 to pay hall rent occupied by us while in Chico and that it has been necessary for one of the committee to remain behind and pay in labor this deficit of $6.00, which Fellow Worker Fred Heyer volunteered to do. With many thanks to all who assisted in our march, we are for Free Speech Forever,

T.M. PEARSON, FRED HEYER, M. CLYDE, F. MILLER, W. MISON.

The Industrial Union Bulletin, and the Industrial Worker were newspapers published by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) from 1907 until 1913. First printed in Joliet, Illinois, IUB incorporated The Voice of Labor, the newspaper of the American Labor Union which had joined the IWW, and another IWW affiliate, International Metal Worker.The Trautmann-DeLeon faction issued its weekly from March 1907. Soon after, De Leon would be expelled and Trautmann would continue IUB until March 1909. It was edited by A. S. Edwards. 1909, production moved to Spokane, Washington and became The Industrial Worker, “the voice of revolutionary industrial unionism.”

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/industrialworker/iw/v3n03-w107-apr-06-1911-IW.pdf