100 years ago today in Spokane: Wobblies released from jail

Wed., Oct. 11, 2017

By Jim Kershner jimkershner@comcast.net

Out of 29 Wobblies arrested at the Spokane headquarters of the Industrial Workers of the World two months earlier, 27 were now walking free.

With the release of ten more Wobblies from the county jail, all of the men except the two leaders, James Rowan and W. Moran were released without charges.

Those two men were turned over to federal authorities and were still facing possible charges for their roles in trying to organize agricultural and industrial strikes.

The Wobblies were all arrested in a raid on the headquarters by military authorities from Fort George Wright.

The released men “appeared in good spirits and thanked … officials for the treatment given them.”

From the breakfast beat: A popular cereal called “Grape-Nuts” ran an ad touting it as a patriotic choice.

“Mixing barley with wheat not only saves wheat for our soldiers and allies, but actually makes a better and more pleasing food — Grape-Nuts, America’s whole wheat and barley food.”

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