Roland D. Sawyer Papers
Collection Number: 6871
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and Archives, Cornell University Library
Title:
Roland D. Sawyer Papers, 1859
Collection Number:
6871
Creator:
Sawyer, Roland D.;
Bedford, Henry F.
Bedford, Henry F.
Quantity:
0 linear ft.
Forms of Material:
American newspapers, documents on microfilm,
gelatin silver print, photographs.
Repository:
Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation and
Archives, Cornell University Library
Language:
Collection material in English
Ettor joined the International Workers of the World in 1906 and was active in leading
strikes in several cities. He came to Lawrence, Mass. during the textile workers'
strike of 1912 to help organize workers and to assist in relief efforts. He and
Arturo Giovannitti, another organizer, were arrested as "accessories to murder"
after a woman striker was shot and killed during a demonstration, although they had
been speaking at a strike meeting three miles away from the murder. They were later
acquitted of all charges.
Ettor writes on letterhead of the Essex County Jail and House of Correction, thanking
Sawyer for his support, attesting his innocence, and his loyalty to the working
class. Collection also contains copies of press releases issued at the time of the
Lawrence textile strike. They include: "Socialist Candidate Speaks for Ettor," in
which Rev. Sawyer, the Socialist candidate for governor of Mass., likened Ettor and
Giovannitti to William Lloyd Garrison and other leaders of the abolitionist
movement; "To Rev. Father O'Reilly Who Denounces the I.W.W. and Socialism," a reply
by Sawyer to Father James T. O'Reilly of St. Mary's Church in Lawrence; "Resolutions
Protesting Court's Treatment of Ettor," about a petition of 300 citizens of
Greenfield, Mass., protesting the imprisonment of Ettor and Giovannitti; and "The
Lawrence Strike was the Most Important Labor War in the History of New England," a
document demanding a speedy trial or release from prison for the two men.
PROVENANCE:
American Textile History Museum Collection, gift of Henry F. Bedford.
American Textile History Museum Collection, gift of Henry F. Bedford.
Names:
Ettor, Joseph J.
Giovannitti, Arturo M.,
O'Reilly, James T.,
Sawyer, Roland D.
Industrial Workers of the World.
Socialist Party of Massachusetts.
Subjects:
Bread and Roses Strike--1912
Children
Labor-related
Socialism
Socialism in the United States
Strikes and lockouts
Strikes and lockouts--Textile
industry--Massachusetts--Lawrence
Textile industry
Textile workers
Textile Workers' Strike, Lawrence, Mass., 1912
Women textile workers
Geographic Subjects:
Greenfield (Mass.)
Lawrence (Mass.)
Lawrence (Mass.)--History--20th century
Form and Genre Terms:
American newspapers
Documents on microfilm
Gelatin silver print
Photographs
Access Restrictions:
Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a
reference archivist for access to these materials.
Restrictions on Use:
This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet
and Procedures for Document Use.
Cite As:
Roland D. Sawyer Papers #6871. Kheel Center for Labor-Management Documentation
and Archives, Cornell University Library.
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housed in 7025m - bx 3
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