Roland D. Sawyer Papers

Collection

Identifier: 6871

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Scope and Contents

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.

Dates

1912

Creator

Sawyer, Roland D. (creator, Person)
Bedford, Henry F. (creator, Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Access to the collections in the Kheel Center is restricted. Please contact a reference archivist for access to these materials.

Conditions Governing Use

This collection must be used in keeping with the Kheel Center Information Sheet and Procedures for Document Use.

Biographical / Historical

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.

Extent

.1 cubic feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

American Textile History Museum Collection, gift of Henry F. Bedford.

Processing Information

The ATHM # references the accession number given to collections by the American Textile History Museum (ATHM). These numbers have been kept and tracked for researchers looking for former citations. The ATHM accession number for this collection was 1993.131.11-16a-b.