The jail diary of a free speech fighter. Beaten and starved, workers are tortured in Spokane’s lockup for speaking about the union on the streets of the city. A number would die in this process.

‘Capitalist Ferocity’ by James Stark from Solidarity. Vol. 1 No. 5. January 15, 1910.

Following is the diary of James Stark, while confined in the Spokane prisons, for taking part in the free speech fight:

On the 10th day of November I was arrested on the street in Spokane, Wash., for trying to exercise my constitutional right of free speech. I had said but a few words when I was arrested and taken to the city jail. There I was searched, and everything I had on me, including tooth brush, comb and tobacco, were taken away from me by the police. There were nine men arrested with me. As we were passing from the sergeant’s desk to the cell I noticed that some of the men were very bloody. There were six or eight policemen who got in our way, they started to slug and kick us. I noticed after getting into the cell that some of the men that were covered with blood and had their teeth kicked out, eyes blackened and clothes torn.

There were 28 men in the receiving cell, which was seven by eight feet in dimensions. The men were packed in so tight that it took the strength of four po-icemen to close the cell door.

Ten o’clock the same night they took us out of that cell and put ten and twelve of us in other cells of the same size. These cells had four hammocks in them, so it was impossible for more than four to lie down and rest.

November 11–They brought in food, which we refused, as we knew that they were starving the boys at Fort Wright and at the Franklin school. We expected to get trial today, but the cases are continued to November 16.

November 12–More boys coming into jail. No food yet. We are all in good spirits and singing revolutionary songs. It is impossible to think, owing to the singing.

November 15–Knowing that an infant had been killed on the street by the use of the fire hose, we were asking, “Who killed the baby?” All the boys would answer, “Chief Sullivan.” Sullivan was showing some of the upper ten ladies through the jail when these questions were showered at him. Tonight, the 13th, Sullivan makes a speech and says: “If you G–d–s of b–s don’t quit using that gag I’ll put every one of you G–d—b– in the seat box, and keep you there until you eat out of my hand.”

November 16–Was tried this morning, but was not permitted to say a word in my own behalf. Was given 30 days by Judge Mann.

Nov. 17–Taken to the Franklin school house. Rather like the change, as I have a chance to walk around.

Nov. 18–Many of the boys are getting rather weak from starvation. Only getting one-third of a small baker’s loaf twice a day.

Nov. 19–Some of the boys are too weak to stand up this morning. Fellow Worker Blake is very sick.

Nov. 20–Hunger pangs getting fierce. Some of the boys are cramped very badly. We ask for a doctor for Fellow Worker Blake. None arrived.

Nov. 21–Fellow Worker Blake very bad, and we gave him up for dead this morning. No pulse and very cold. Patrol wagon comes after Fellow Worker Blake, after hours of pleading with the guards. They say they are taking him to the hospital in the city jail. Signs of scurvy appearing today.

Nov. 22–They have taken three of the boys to the hospital today.

Nov. 23–More boys coming in from the city jail, which cheers us all up. They are able to sing. Those who are in ten days are too weak to sing.

Nov. 24–Police want us to carry wood from the crematory, a block away, and we refuse, as we are too weak to carry wood. They get a dray and draw the wood.

Nov. 25–Thanksgiving day. We have lots of turkey and chicken, but it was put on the blackboard of the school by those who are lately arrested. There are lots of sketch artists among the new arrivals. Our food today is old sour bread. Three more have been taken to hospital.

Nov. 26–Gordon very weak. hardly talk. Doctors refuse to send him to the hospital. Telling him, he has had one chance.

Nov. 27–Hunger felt worse and worse. The whole subject of conversation is, what we will eat when we get out. Some of the men have their time about in. More go to hospital today.

Nov. 28—Guards want us to carry wood again. We refuse. They keep us without wood all night. The weather is bitter cold. No covering for any.

Nov. 29–Fifteen more of the men very sick, and ask to go to hospital. They are all refused; yet are very sick.

Nov. 30–Fellow Worker Gordon saw doctor this morning. Doctor told him not to talk, or he would lose his voice. He is not able to talk. We got a half pound of tobacco from the outside and a note. Tobacco cheers many up. All are in better spirits, but too weak to walk.

December 1–Took Fellow Worker Gordon and three others to the hospital this morning. As I was cutting wood for the stoves a Washington Water Power conductor jeered at me.

Dec. 2–Two officials came up to look into conditions. The guards lied to them about the conditions in our hearing. I was appointed to go and see these strangers and give a plain statement of conditions as they existed. One of the men said he would see Sullivan and try and get us vegetables and an increase in bread allowance. One of them asked me if the men would build bunks if they would furnish blankets. I replied that I thought they would. On my return I reported to the boys, and all were of the opinion that we had at last discovered an official that was at least human. Tonight our bread allowance is cut in two. A loaf is now cut into six pieces. Some of the boys who are strong enough are making speeches out of the window. At 12 o’clock the guards came in and took out Fisher (a W.F.M. man) as being responsible for the men making speeches.

Dec. 3–The doctor will not take any one to the hospital. There are a number of sick men.

Dec. 4–Fellow Worker F.W. Kroell carried out of the room today. He is too weak to walk. Nothing the matter but starvation. The doctor and some city officials are around this morning. Doctor told me that there are eight or ten cases of scurvy among the men so far. Spaulding and Hanson taken to the hospital; too weak to walk.

Dec. 5–Four more men taken to the hospital today. Looks like a good many will pay the death penalty if something is not done soon.

Dec. 6–This morning 30 men up for sick call. Nine of them are carried out of the room too weak to walk, myself included. Starvation and scurvy is all that ails us. Bowels of some of the men have not acted in twenty days.

Dec. 7–I awake this morning to find myself in the so-called hospital; a vermin infested cell in the city jail. Spaulding, Gordon, Allen and myself in a cell 7×8 ft. We have nothing to lay on during the day time but the bare grates of a cot. They take our mattress and quilt away at 8 a.m. and we don’t get it back until 5 at night. The cell is as cold as a refrigerator. The window is open, and I am informed that it is zero weather outside.

Dec. 8–My time not up, but am turned out with 36 others to make room for more from the school. Am closing the record. Am too weak to walk. Some of the men who had money and trinkets on them when arrested cannot get them from the police. On insisting to get the property back, the police threaten to put us all back in jail. Many have to be carried to the hall.

The most widely read of I.W.W. newspapers, Solidarity was published by the Industrial Workers of the World from 1909 until 1917. First produced in New Castle, Pennsylvania, and born during the McKees Rocks strike, Solidarity later moved to Cleveland, Ohio until 1917 then spent its last months in Chicago. With a circulation of around 12,000 and a readership many times that, Solidarity was instrumental in defining the Wobbly world-view at the height of their influence in the working class. It was edited over its life by A.M. Stirton, H.A. Goff, Ben H. Williams, Ralph Chaplin who also provided much of the paper’s color, and others. Like nearly all the left press it fell victim to federal repression in 1917.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/solidarity-iww/1909-1910/v01n05-jan-15-1910-Solidarity.pdf