1920.02.27: DESERTS THE "REDS"

“Sweet Marie” Ganz, who threatened the life of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and served time in jail for it, has renounced her allegiance to the red flag.

 

1914.07.29: TARRYTOWN SENDS 8 'REDS' TO PRISON

July 29, 1914

TARRYTOWN SENDS 8 'REDS' TO PRISON

Justice Moorhouse Imposes Imposes Sentence of Sixty Days Each in Penitentiary.

BECKY EDELSON UNMASKED

Gives Testimony In Whispers Until She Forgets Herself--Police Head Resigns.

...

1914.07.07: MURPHY FLEES CITY, FEARING FRAME-UP

July 7, 1914

MURPHY FLEES CITY, FEARING FRAME-UP

Police Can't Find Only Man Who Escaped Alive from the Room Where Bombmakers Died.

BERKMAN ADMITS HE'S GONE

Caron's Mother Won't Claim Body--Aldermen to Prevent Public Funeral--Delay Tarrytown Trials.

...

1914.07.06: FIND BERG'S BODY IN BOMB WRECKAGE

July 6, 1914

FIND BERG'S BODY IN BOMB WRECKAGE

Head and Feet Blown Off and the Trunk Pinned to the Wall by a Pile of Debris.

POLICE HUNT FOR MURPHY

Believe He Can Tell of Others Concerned in Conspiracy Against Rockefeller.

VICTIMS TO BE CREMATED

Anarchist Berkman Plans a Public Funeral and Warns Justice Moorhouse to "Go Easy" Today.

...

1914.07.05: FOUR DIE, SCORE HURT IN I.W.W. BOMB PLOT

July 5, 1914

FOUR DIE, SCORE HURT IN I.W.W. BOMB PLOT

Mightiest Infernal Machine Ever Used in New York City Wrecks Six-story Tenement House and Kills Two of the Conspirators Who Were Involved in Agitation Against Rockefellers.

ANARCHIST RING IS IMPLICATED

Many Blown Out of Beds Across the Street From Explosion and Seriously Injured; Persons Knocked Down Two Blocks Away; Emma Goldman's Assistants Arrested.

NEW YORK, July 4.—Three men and a woman were killed today when a dynamite bomb, said to be the most powerful ever used in this city exploded with tremendous force in an apartment tenanted by Industrial Workers of the World. The upper part of the six-story tenement house in which the bomb was being made, was wrecked.

A score of persons were seriously injured and much property damage was done in a wide radius from the scene of the explosion. Those dead and those who escaped injury in the apartment included I.W.W. men who were defendants in the trial to begin Monday in Tarrytown, N.Y., where they were arrested for creating a disturbance a few weeks ago. They went to the village to make demonstrations outside the Pocantico Hills estate of John D. Rockefeller, where John d. Rockefeller, Jr., had retired after being heckled in front of his office at 26 Broadway, in this city, by I.W.W. members and sympathizers, including members of Upton Sinclair's Free Silence league. Their activities here arose from the coal mine strike troubles in Colorado, where Mr. Rockefeller, Jr., had mining interests.

Bombs Meant for Officials?

As soon as one of the bodies of those killed in the explosion had been identified as that of Arthur Caron, who came here from Boston and who was one of tho defendants in Tarrytown, the police began their investigation of the explosion on the theory that a bomb was being constructed by Caron and others for possible use at the I. W. W. hearings in Tarrytown on Monday. Since the arrest of the agitators in that
village there have been rumors of threats against town officials if the defendants were not released.

Late today the police escorted from the office of Emma Goldman's publication. Mother Earth, to a police station a group of agitators, including Marie Ganz, arrested some time ago for making outdoor speeches in which she threatened to shoot John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Miss Ganz was released this morning from the Queen's county jail after serving a term as the result of her speechmaking.

Blown to Pieces.

The cross examination today disclosed that all the eleven defendants, who are out on bail, met her last eight,
with Alexander Berkman. anarchist, and others at the headquarters of the Francisco Ferrer school, to devise a way to aid the persons facing trial Monday. The conferees included leaders of the so-called Antimilitant [sic] league, which seeks to discourage workmen from joining the state National Guard.

Present at this meeting, according to statements to the authorities, were Carl Hanson, a member of the staff of Mother Earth, and Carl Berg, 24, a carpenter, one of the Tarrytown defendants. Hanson was blown to pieces in the explosion. Part of his body was

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BOMB MAKER KILLED BY HIS INVENTION

(Continued from Page One)

found on a church roof and part on car tracks, in the street. Berg is missing and is counted among the victims. The other person known to have been killed is Mary Claves [sic], 26 years old, a cigar maker, who occupied an apartment adjoining the one in which the explosion occurred.

Find Dry Batteries.

In support of the police theory that a bomb was being made for use in Tarrytown, a search of Caron's apartment disclosed two dry batteries, wired for use, a loaded revolver, cartridges and a partly constructed blackjack, together with a bowl of yellow substance thought to have been used in bomb construction.

Statements to the police indicated that the group at the Francisco Ferrer school disbanded about midnight last night. Earon [sic], Hanson, Berg and a fourth man, Mike Auspenti, who came here from Chicago about two weeks ago, left together and went to the apartment where the explosion occurred at 1626 Lexington avenue, between One Hundred and Second and One Hundred and Third streets on the upper east side.

Hanson's half sister, Miss Louise Berger, who rented the top floor apartment occupied by herself, Hanson and Caron, told the inquisitors that the four men reached home at 1 o'clock this morning. At 7 o'clock when she left her home, she said, Berg and Caron were asleep and Hanson was washing dishes, and Auspenti was lying on a couch.

Anarchists Involved.

All were dressed. There were no traces of an explosive or of the material for making a bomb anywhere in the apartment, she said. The explosion occurred at 9:25 a.m. and she was notified of it, she declared, while at the Mother Earth office.

Alexander Berkman explained how the group allied with him happened to be at the Mother Earth office when the police arrived. He said they had gathered to go on a Fourth of July picnic in a New Jersey town.

Berkman smoked cigarettes and answered sharp questioning. He denied he had counseled violence at the coming Tarrytown trials. He and others planned to go to Tarrytown, he said, and listen to the proceedings. 

"We were prepared," he explained, "to utter protests if our comrades were not given a fair trial, but that was all we contemplated."

Berkman denied that he had written threatening letters to Tarrytown officials.

"You did send a telegram some time ago to the judge at Tarrytown demanding the release of the I.W.W. prisoners, didn't you?" asked Deputy Police Commissioner Rubin.

"Yes, I sent a telegram containing resolutions condemning the arrest and brutal treatment of the men and women," replied Berkman.

"The resolution was adopted at the Ferrer group and I was instructed to forward them to the judge. I simply carried out instructions."

Berkman said he was unable to account for the presence of the explosive. He volunteered to produce himself and his followers at the coroner's inquest.

Many Blown From Beds.

There were thirty-five apartments in the Lexington avenue building. All except two were occupied and the tenants were made homeless. The loss of life was not greater, according to the police, because so many of the dwellers had started off early to spend the holiday at various resorts. The Lexington avenue front of the structure was wrecked as far down as the second story.

Of the many known to have been injured, seven were removed to hospitals. Some of those who received minor hurts were occupants of buildings across the street. They were blown from their beds or otherwise hurled about violently by the concussion. As far distant as two blocks from the wrecked tenement persons were thrown down by the shock.

The entire top of the southeast front of the building crashed into the street, tore a thirty-foot hole in the sidewalk and partly filled a stretch of the new Lexington avenue subway excavation.

The police threw a strict guard about the building after ordering everybody out. Not a shovelful of earth was allowed to be moved. Every precaution was taken to prevent the destruction of any possible clew [sic] that might be contained in the debris. Tomorrow a systematic examination will be made in search of evidence which may support  the police theory that a bomb was to be taken into the Tarrytown courtroom. It is thought Berg's body may be in the ruins, unless it was blown to bits. It is not believed other bodies are there. Already the firemen have come across parts of a human body. It is thought they are portions of the body of Hanson, who, according to the police was a staff writer on Mother Earth, an anarchistic publication with which Berkman and Emma Goldman are associated.

With Caron and Berg dead from the explosion of the bomb apparently of their own making, nine defendants remain to be tried in Tarrytown Monday.

See also:

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1914.07.05: BOMB-WRECKED BUILDING AND ITS HEROES

July 5, 1914

BOMB-WRECKED BUILDING AND ITS HEROES

SCOUR ANARCHIST HAUNTS FOR BOMBS

New York Detectives Scent I.W.W. Plot on Rockefeller in Fatal Explosion.

...

1914.07.05: 4 SLAIN BY BOMB I.W.W. ARE FILLING

July 4, 1914

4 SLAIN BY BOMB I.W.W. ARE FILLING

Two of Victims Were Indicted for Tarrytown Raid.

7-STORY HOUSE WRECKED

Round-Up of Anarchist follows Terrific Explosions.

HELD A MIDNIGHT COUNCIL

1914.07.05: I.W.W. Bomb Kills Four; Injures Score

July 5, 1914

I.W.W. Bomb Kills Four; Injures Score

LEXINGTON AVENUE TENEMENT BUILDING  WRECKED BY ANARCHISTS.

IS AN ACCIDENT

DEADLY MISSILE GOES OFF WHILE IN PROCESS OF MANUFACTURE

UNEARTH BIG PLOT

POLICE DISCOVER EVIDENCE THAT CULPRITS PLANNED AWFUL CRIME.

TO AID ACCUSED

Some of Defendants in Trial to be Begun for Disturbances at Tarrytown are Among Those Killed--Friends Schemed to Help Them.

New York, July 4--Four persons, three men and a woman were killed and a score seriously injured when a dynamite bomb in process of manufacture exploded in an apartment tenanted by Industrial workers of the World. The bomb, said to have been the most powerful ever used in this city exploded with such force as to cause serious property damage within a wide radius from the scene of the explosion.

Those dead and those who escaped injury in the apartment included I.W.W. men who were defendants in the trial to be begun Monday in Tarrytown, N.Y., where they were arrested for creating a disturbance a few weeks ago. They went to the village to make demonstrations outside the Pocantico Hills estate of John D. Rockefeller where John D. Rockefeller, Jr., had retired after being heckled in front of his office at 26 Broadway, in this city by I.W.W. workers and sympathizers, including members of Upton Sinclair's free silence league. Their activities here arose from the coal mine strike troubles in Colorado. As soon as one -- the bodies of those killed in the explosion had been identified as that of Arthur Caron, who came here from Boston and who was one of the defendants in Tarrytown, the police began their investigation of the explosion of the theory that a bomb was being constructed by Caron and others for possible use at the I.W.W. hearings in Tarrytown. There have been rumors of threats to town officials if the defendants were not released. 

Make Arrests.

Late today the police escorted from the home of Emma Goldman's publication Mother Earth to a police station, a group of agitators, including Marie Ganz, arrested some time ago for making out of door speeches in which she threatened to shoot John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Miss Ganz was released this morning from the Queens county jail after serving a term of ?? result of her speech-making.

The cross examinations late today disclosed that all the eleven defendants, who are out on bail, met her last night with Alexander Berkman an anarchist and others at the headquarters of the Francisco Ferrer school to devise a way to aid the persons facing trial Monday. The conferees included leaders of the so-called anti-militarist league, which seeks to discourage workmen from joining the state national guard.

Present at this meeting, according to statement to the authorities, were Carl Hanson, a member of the staff of "Mother Earth" and Carl Berg, 24, a carpenter, one of the Tarrytown defendants. Hanson was blown to pieces in the explosion. Part of his body was found on a church roof and part on car tracks in the street. Berg is missing and is counted among the victims. The other person known to have been killed was Mary Claves [sic], 35 years old, a cigar maker, who occupied an apartment adjoining the one in which the explosion occurred.

Find Evidence.

A search of Caron's apartment disclosed tow dry batteries, wired for use; a loaded revolver, cartridges and a partly constructed black jack, together with a bowl of yellow substance thought to have been used in bomb construction. 

Statements to the police indicated that the group at the Francisco Ferrer school disbanded about midnight last night. Caron, Hanson, Berg and a fourth man, Mike Auspenti, who came here from Chicago about two weeks ago, left together and went to the apartment at 1626 Lexington avenue, where the explosion occurred.

There were 35 apartments in the Lexington avenue building. All except two were occupied and the tenants were made homeless. The loss of life was not greater, according to the police, because so many of the dwellers had started off early to spend the holiday at various resorts. The Lexington avenue front of the structure was wrecked as far down as the second story.

 Of the many known to have been injured, seven were removed to hospitals. Some of those who received minor hurts were occupants of buildings across the street. They were blown from their beds or otherwise hurled about violently by the concussion. As far distant as two blocks from the wrecked tenement persons were blown down by the shock. 

The entire top of the southeast front of the building crashed into the street and tore a 30 foot hole in the side walk.

1914.07.05: Exploded in Apartment Occupied by Tarrytown Disturbers.

July 5, 1914

Exploded in Apartment Occupied by Tarrytown Disturbers.

ONLY ONE ESCAPED ALIVE

Victims Are Arthur Caron, Carl Hanson, Marie Chavez, and Charles Berg.

"MIKE" MURPHY GOT AWAY

Staggered Dazed Into Street and Disappeared After Telephoning to Berkman.

BATTERY IN CARON'S ROOM

Bomb Wrecked Three Floors of 1,626 Lexington Avenue and Spread Debris for Blocks.

TENANTS BURIED IN WRECK

Police Dig Them from Ruins and Find Seven Badly Hurt--Dog Basket Saves Baby.

PARTS OF BODY ON A CHURCH

Anarchist Berkman Identifies Dead as some of Those Called for Trial at Tarrytown Tomorrow.

...

1914.06.26: TRAIL ROCKEFELLER TO MAINE, I.W.W. CRY

June 26, 1914
TRAIL ROCKEFELLER TO MAINE, I.W.W. CRY
Leaders Propose a Summer's Free Speech Demonstration in Seal Harbor.
BERKMAN NOT GOING WEST
Changes Plan Upon Hearing of Rockefeller Departure--Mayor Dampens Ardor

...

1914.06.24: EGGS, CLODS AND ROCKS HURLED AT THE SPEAKERS

June 24, 1914

EGGS, CLODS AND ROCKS HURLED AT THE SPEAKERS

Abbott, However, Says a Great Victory Was Won for Free Speech

...

1914.06.23: I.W.W.’S TO CONTINUE FREE SPEECHWARFARE

June 23, 1914

I.W.W.’S TO CONTINUE FREE SPEECHWARFARE

Undaunted by Shower of Eggs and Stones Anarchists Will Visit Tarrytown.

BLACK EYES SHOW HANDIWORK OF MOB

Conference Will Be Held Today to Decide Upon Date of Next Invasion of Rockefeller’s Town.

UNITED PRESS SPECIAL.

New York, June 23.—“We’re going to speak in Tarrytown, permission or no permission. We’re going to denounce John D. Rockefeller in his own village whether they stone and egg us or not. A conference will be held today to decide when we will speak again.”

This was the declaration here today of Leonard Abbott, president of the free speech league, who will his followers was mobbed last night in the up-river village by residents displeased with attempts to make it a free speech forum.

Show Stains of Eggs.

Abbott, Alexander Berkman, the anarchist, Helen Goldblatt, “Becky” Edelson and about 50 other anarchists and I.W.W.’s bore visible marks today of their attempt to talk freely in Rockefeller’s burg. Several had black eyes, several faces showed cuts from stones and the clothes of others needed cleaning of stains where eggs had splashed. But all were determined to carry on their fight and eager to return again to talk in the village, mob or no mob.

Big Victory Claimed

“It was a big victory” said Abbott today. “In spite of showers of stones and vegetables and eggs, from a huge crowd who gathered to hear or hoot, we kept the free speech flag waving for from an hour to an hour and a half. We said what we had to say. It was pretty hard for the women, several of whom were hurt, but luckily, none of their injuries were serious.

“Tarrytown people, rejoicing in Rockefeller’s $30,000 a month payroll, cannot deprive us of our right of free speech. We are going to talk there. If they don’t want to listen that’s their business. We can’t bring them to our meetings. But there are many people in Tarrytown who do want to hear what we have to say and no one is going to stop us saying it.”

1914.06.10: JOHN D.'S BESIEGERS--CHIEF AND STAFF

June 10, 1914
JOHN D.'S BESIEGERS--CHIEF AND STAFF

Alexander Berkman, leader of I.W.W. surrounding John D. Rockefeller's estates at Tarrytown, N.Y., and his chief aides. At his left is Mary Yuster. The other woman is Helen Harris.

(NOTE: Helen Harris is Helen Goldblatt.)



1914.06.06: REDS IN LEGAL TRAP NOW HIRE ATTORNEY

June 6, 1914

REDS IN LEGAL TRAP NOW HIRE ATTORNEY

Anarchists Who Scorned Lawyers Learn Time to Ask Jury Trial Has Lapsed.

LONG SENTENCES EXPECTED

Tarrytown Prepares to Send Twelve Agitators to Penitentiary--Sheriff Gives Them 'Phone Privilege.

...

1914.06.02: TROUBLE IS ANTICIPATED AT TARRYTOWN, N.Y.

June 2, 1914

TROUBLE IS ANTICIPATED AT TARRYTOWN, N.Y.

WHEN "FREE SPEECH" ADVOCATES ARRIVE FROM NEW YORK THIS AFTERNOON

Fire Department Ready to Wet Down the Crowd if Trouble is Started Extra Police on Duty.

(By United Press)

Tarrytown, N.Y., June 2.--Tense with excitement and the fear of serious trouble when expected "free speech" advocates arrive here from New York to continue  wordy warfare against John D. Rockefeller, all Tarrytown today prepared to receive the invaders. Four or five hundred I.W.W. members from New York are expected at any hour to insist on the right of free expression and to force it from the community known as "Rockefeller's town."

The village fears that weapons may be used in the promised invasion and that bloodshed may ensue. The fire department  of the town today had its hose all ready for a quick connection. in addition to this extra men have been sworn in as policemen and arms have been dealt out.

Leonard Abbott, head of the Ferrer School of Socialism in New York, Alexander Berkman, companion of Emma Goldman, the anarchist, and Helen Harris, known from her flaming hair as "Helen of Troy" are expected to be the directing forces of the invasion.

Thirteen I.W.W. prisoners arrested here in Sunday's invasion still are held in jail at White Plains. They will be brought here on Saturday for trial and trouble is surely looked for then. Among the White Plains prisoners is Becky Edelson, successor to "Sweet Marie" Ganz, as woman leader of the free speech hosts. there were reports that the prisoners had started a hunger strike. This was denied by the jail officials.

1914.06.01: TARRYTOWN POLICE ROUT I.W.W. FORCES

June 1, 1914

TARRYTOWN POLICE ROUT I.W.W. FORCES

Resort to "Football Tactics" with Those Remaining After Sending 15 to Jail.

THREATEN A BIG INVASION

Say They'll Fill Jails to Overflowing if Not Permitted Publicly to Scold the Rockefellers.

1914.05.24: I.W.W. FOLLOWERS IN A STREET ROW

May 24, 1914
I.W.W. FOLLOWERS IN A STREET ROW
Threaten Proprietor of Hall Who Refuses to Let Them Hold a Protest Meeting
TWO MEN ARE ARRESTED
Berkman and Becky Edelson Then Assail the Police at Corner Demonstration.

1914.05.22: JOHN D., JR., BACK AT WORK.

May 22, 1914

JOHN D., JR., BACK AT WORK.

Tormentors Over Colorado Strike, Silenced Mostly By Jail.

New York, May 23.—John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has returned to work after twenty days spent at the country estate of his father at Pocatlco Hills. Since May 1 when he went into retirement, most of his tormentors under the leadership of Upton Sinclair, have been silenced, several by being sent to jail. Sinclair is in Colorado and Marie Ganz and the Rev. Bouck White are serving sentences on Blackwell's Island, the latter for having broken up the services at the Calvary Baptist church ten days ago. Mother Jones alone remains in the lecture field, and nightly denounces the Rockefeller interests In the Colorado coal districts.

Mr. Rockefeller's secretary said yesterday he is making no investigation of conditions in Colorado.

See also:

1914.05.21: COMES OUT OF HIS RETREAT

May 21, 1914

COMES OUT OF HIS RETREAT

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Returns to New York.

New York, May 21.—John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has returned to work after twenty days spent at the country estate of his father at Pocantico Hills. Since May 1, when he went into retirement, most of his tormentors, under the leadership of Upton Sinclair, have been silenced, several by being sent to jail. Sinclair is in Colorado and Marie Ganz and the Rev. Bouck White are. serving sentences on Blackwell's island, the latter for having broken up the services at the Calvary Baptist church ten days ago. "Mother" Jones alone remains in the lecture field and nightly denounces the Rockefeller interests in the Colorado coal districts.

See also:

1914.05.20: ROCKEFELLER BACK; I.W.W. SIEGE RAISED

May 20, 1914

ROCKEFELLER BACK; I.W.W. SIEGE RAISED

Financier Returns to Desk After 19 Days of Illness and Worry.

“MOTHER” JONES NOW CHIEF TORMENTOR

Statement That Oil King’s Son Is Afraid to Interview Her Denied

For the first time in nineteen days John D. Rockefeller, Jr., cured of his “cold” and up to his ears in work, is back at his desk in the Standard Oil Building, whence Sinclair's "mourners” drove him the first of May. Since his retreat to Pocantico most of his tormentors have been silenced or placed in jail.

Upton Sinclair is in Colorado. Marie Ganz is on Blackwell’s Island for six months. So is Bouck White, who broke up the service at the Calvary Baptist Church ten days ago,and with him is Milo Woolman, an anarchist and I.W.W. Becky Edelson and Sam Hartman are still about, but their talk lacks “punch” and the crowds do not respond. The Church of the Social Revolution is still flickering.

“Mother” Jones, alone of the agitators, has stuck to her guns, denouncing Rockefeller at nightly meetings. She declares Rockefeller is afraid to see her, and that her request for an interview was refused without even being read.

This, however, Mr. Heydt, secretary to the financier, denied.

“If ‘Mother’ Jones comes to the office she will be treated courteously,” he said, “and get a hearing. Her letter was not opened because it is the invariable custom of the office to open no letter sent by registered mail unless it bears the sender’s name on the outside. Hers didn’t.

“She can’t see Mr. Rockefeller himself, however. He’s too busy—and it would do no good. He’s a minority stockholder in the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company and can’t influence its dealings with the miners, etc.

“No, he’s not making any personal investigation of conditions out there. Why should he?”

“He will not comment on the sentence imposed on White, but he stands behind Dr. Woelfkin and the church. He has been much affected by the things said and printed concerning him.”