1914.08.21: FREE BECKY EDELSON, FUNERAL PLANS OFF

August 21, 1914
FREE BECKY EDELSON, FUNERAL PLANS OFF
Friends Give a Bond for Agitator Who Has Been on a Hunger Strike in Prison.
THEY SAY SHE IS VERY ILL
But Prison Authorities Tell Dr. Davis She Seems to be In Good Health.

1914.08.20: The Lock Haven Express

"I am still fasting," writes Becky Edelson from Blackwell's. Well, well. And here we had gone and forgotten all about Becky. How very careless of us!

1914.08.11: BECKY EDELSON PROTEST

August 11, 1914

BECKY EDELSON PROTEST

Rose Pastor Stokes Heads Meeting to Warn Commissioner Davis.

A woman's mass meeting to protest against forcibly feeding Becky Edelson attracted 300 women and a few men to Murray Hill Lyceum last night. Rose Pastor Stokes presided.

 A resolution calling upon the Attorney General to investigate "tortures inflicted upon Becky Edelson, not contemplated in the sentence passed upon her by a Magistrate," was voted down, and a substitute was passed notifying Commissioner Davis that the women held her "personally responsible" for Miss Edelson's well being.

When forcible feeding was under consideration a women asked if those present favored letting Miss Edelson starve to death since Commissioner Davis could not release her and must feed her or let her die.

"The Commissioner can resign as a protest against the outrageous alternatives presented by the judicial system," shouted some one, and the sentiment was applauded.

Elizabeth Gurley Flynn hailed Commissioner Davis as "The Asquith of America," and Mrs. William English Walling denounced the newspapers. Miss Matilda Robbins said Miss Edelson was "a captive revolutionist, giving her life in protest against denial of her rights."

1914.07.30: MATTEAWAN CURE FOR HUNGER STRIKERS.

July 30, 1914

MATTEAWAN CURE FOR HUNGER STRIKERS.

New York.--Having refused to eat until released, Jane Est, the anarchist agitator, has been transferred to theMatteawan asylu. Commisioner of Correction. Katherine B Davis says that Becky Edelson now imprisoned at Blackwell's Island, will receive the same treatment unless She changes her tactics.

See also:

El Paso Herald, July 31 ,1914
Washington Herald, July 27, 1914
Porthsmouth Daily Times, July 27, 1914
East Oregonian, July 31, 1914

1914.07.28: I.W.W. TRIALS BEGIN TODAY

1914.07.28:
I.W.W. TRIALS BEGIN TODAY
Becky Edelson, Hunger Striking on Eggs, to Attend Under Suppoena

...

1914.07.28: I.W.W. TRIALS BEGIN TODAY.; Becky Edelson, Hunger Striking on Eggs, to Attend Under Subpoena.

I.W.W. TRIALS BEGIN TODAY.

Becky Edelson, Hunger Striking on Eggs, to Attend Under Subpoena.

Trials of nine I.W.W. agitators are to begin before Justine Moorhouse in Tarrytown this morning. The prisoners are to be tried separately, and the building will be guarded heavily by the police. 

Becky Edelson will leave the workhouse this morning and be taken to Tarrytown to appear as a witness and a defendant in the trials. She was subpoenaed yesterday.

All the other defendants will assemble at the Ferrer School in East 107th Street at 7:30 A.M. With their followers, they will take trolley cars to Hastings to Tarrytown by a New York Central train. 

Miss Edelson's aged mother, Mrs. Lena Edelson, sat in the office of Assistant District Attorney Ellison, yesterday, weeping about her and denouncing Alexander Berkman and other anarchists. She cried out that the District Attorney ought to do something "to stop the hunger-striking foolishness." Mrs. Edelson lives with friends at 2,704 West Third Street, Brighton Beach.

Dr. Katharine B. Davis, Commissioner of Correction, said Becky Edelson's physical condition remained excellent, and that no forcible feeding would be attempted for some time. the young woman refused all meals offered to her, but early in the morning she took the whites of two eggs.

1914.07.23: READY TO FORCE REBA TO DINE TO BREAK HER STRIKE

July 23, 1914

READY TO FORCE REBA TO DINE TO BREAK HER STRIKE

Commissioner Davis Says She Will Stand No Nonsense From Anarchist.

BERKMAN THREATENS.

Predicts Violence if Girl Agitator Is Injured by the Authorities.

Reba Edelson, the I. W. W. hunger striker, was still on strike, to all appearances, in the workhouse on Blackwell's Island today. But the authorities are puzzled over her excellent physical condition and her cheerful demeanor. She is a bouncing, buxom female for one who has not eaten since the beginning of the week.

If it is found that Reba is really fasting and that none of the prisoners has been smuggling food to her she will be wrapped up In blankets and forcibly fed as soon as signs appear that her abstention from food is injuring her health.

 The prison authorities on Blackwell's will from now on watch every loaf of bread passed out to women prisoners. Of course it is not their intention to prevent the Edelson girl from declaring off her hunger strike, but they want to know whether the Edelson girl is a sincere fanatic or a plain every day clever little faker. 

"Miss Edelson is in fine shape," declared Dr. Katz the resident physician at the Workhouse this morning. She is as good physically as she was when she came hero. No, she has not eaten any regular meals served her," added the physician. Beyond this assertion he would not venture.

The Edelson girl began her supposed fast on Monday afternoon. She was then in the Tombs. Up to noon today seventy-two ours have elapsed since she partook of prison food sent her at the regular meal times. Although water has been placed in the girl's cell she apparently has not partaken of any of it.

"She needn't think that I'm going to sit three months with my finger on her pulse, looking after her welfare," said Commissioner Davis. "I'm not.

"And I hope she doesn't get the idea that she's going to be offered chocolate bonbons or ice cream sodas to induce her to eat. (See also this article that mentions they gave her bonbons in April.) She may eat or fast, just as she wants, and if she fasts I'm going to have her forcibly fed. There will be no foolishness about the matter.

"She's not a mental defective, like Jane Est, the other agitator, whom we sent to Matteawan. The mind of the Est woman was affected, but Reba's is perfectly normal. The only thing wrong with her is that she wants all the notoriety she can get. It's a shame the newspapers give her any attention. If she were ignored completely she would soon come to terms.

"Forcible feeding is nothing extraordinary. It is frequently done at the Bedford Reformatory, where I had charge of a large number of girls who were difficult to deal with. It won't hurt her a bit."

"They are not dealing with a Jane Est when they have Reba Edelson on their hands. Miss Edelson is not a girl, but a determined woman," said Alexander Berkman, the Anarchist leader today. "If anything should happen to her we shall hold the authorities morally and legally responsible."

Berkman announced that large groups of Anarchists from various cities will meet tonight at the Ferrer school headquarters, 63 East One Hundred and Seventh street. They will represent Boston, Providence, Paterson, the Mother Earth faction, the Anti-Militant League and other organizations. (Note: I suspect that it was the Anti-Militarist League.)

"Reba Edelson is a political prisoner and not a common felon," said Berkman. "The officers who arrested the young woman said they did so for protection. But Miss Edelson will be out very shortly and then she'll be heard from again--perhaps in a surprising manner."

1914.07.23: 'BECKY' SCORNS FOOD

July 23, 1914

I. W. W. Woman's Nerve Still Stronger Than Appetite.

NOT GOING TO MATTEAWAN

"If She Doesn't Eat, She Will Be Fed,” Commissioner Katherine Davis Says. Is Not Insane and Will Be Sent to No Hospital, She Declares—Could Go Thirty Days Foodless.

Special to The Washington Post.

New York, July 22.—If Becky Edelson's appetite^ doesn't force her to break her hunger strike, Katherine Davis, commissioner of corrections, will resort,' before many days more, to forcible feeding. 'And the feeding will be done in the penitentiary on Blackwells Island, not at Matteawan. Becky, who is serving three months for disturbing the peace in connection with the I. W. W. riots in Printing House square. Is being closely watched by the physicians of the institutions. She declined her fourth, meal today.

Just as soon as the doctors think the girl's physical condition calls for nourishment a tube will be placed in her throat and she will receive at proper intervals a life-sustaining dose of milk and egg and whisky, no matter how vigorous her protests.

Won't Be Sent to Matteawan.

Commissioner Davis does not regard a refusal to eat as a sign of Insanity, and the anarchist firebrand will not be sent to Matteawan because of her strike. So far she "has-not shown any sign of-mental derangement, and she will be kept at the island.

"If the Edelson woman doesn't eat she will be fed," said. Correction Commissioner Davis today. ,'We have had a great deal of experience .In forcibly, feeding prisoners, and there is nothing exceptionable or difficult in this case.

"Miss Edelson is not turning things upside down at "the penitentiary. She is not an exceptional prisoner go far as the routine of the institution is concerned, and she will not make any trouble. Neither will she be sent to. Matteawan if her mental .condition remains the same as at present.

"The case of Jane Est wag different. She also refused to eat, but .was insane, in the opinion of .the physicians. It was not her hunger strike, that landed Jane Est in Matteawan, but insanity.

"She was- held under observation the prescribed three days by the physicians, who satisfied themselves she was not sane and, sent her; to the asylum.

Jane Est was given three months in June for disturbing a public meeting. She was one of the I. W. W. church raiders.

The fact that this hunger strike is being handled entirely by women has caused city officials to show unusual interest in- the case. Assisting Commissioner Davis are a woman physician, .a woman matron, and a woman nurse. Four hospital interns have been assigned to watch Miss Edelson constantly to see she does herself no harm.

Hope for Collapse Today.

"Becky herself. hopes for a complete collapse .tomorrow; but she is so healthy and well nourished that Commissioner Davis thinks she could go without .food .thirty days without harm. The usual custom is to allow at least four days, to elapse before forcible feeding is resorted to.

If Becky is hoping for the early use of the tube to end her martyrdom she may be sadly disappointed. She won't get any nourishment, until the doctors, think she needs it, unless she breaks her strike and eats.