The Rise and Fall of Anarchy in America. George N. McLean
know it at that time.”
“How often did you drill with the armed section?”—“Only twice.”
“How often did they drill?”—“Once a week.”
“Have you got any information from any other members of the organization? If they drilled after that?”
Objected to and withdrawn.
“Did you ascertain from any of the defendants if they drilled after that?”—“I did not.”
“Have you had any other talk with Parsons outside of these utterances?”—“I have.”
“Have you had any talk with Spies, Fielden, Parsons, and other defendants as to the purposes of their organization?”—“I have talked frequently with Parsons and Fielden at various times and at various places. I cannot recollect as to what was said at each place and when it was said.”
“Can you give me the substance or purport of what was said at any time?”
Captain Black objected, unless time and place were given.
“What was the object of the armed section as was expressed by the members?”—“At the first meeting of the armed section the discussion arose as to what the company should be called. Some one suggested that the company should be amalgamated with the German organization, and the company was to be called the Fourth Company of the Lehr und Wehr Verein. This idea was opposed, and finally it was decided that it should be called the International Rifles. It was further said and understood by all the members that in case of a conflict with the authorities the International Rifles were to act in concert with the Lehr und Wehr Verein, and obey the orders of the officers of that organization.”
“What was said at any time as to when this revolution was to take place—when was to be the culmination of the conflict?”—“The 1st of May was frequently mentioned as a good opportunity.”
“What 1st of May?”—“This present. As far as I remember it was at a meeting at Twelfth street Turner hall on one occasion in December, and it was the defendant Fielden that said the 1st of May would be the time to strike the blow. There would be so many strikes and there would be 50,000 men out of work—that is to say if the eight-hour movement was a failure.”
“Have you ever met any of them at the Arbeiter Zeitung office?”—“I have.”
“What conversation did you have?”—“I had a conversation with Parsons some time in March. The conversation took place in the Alarm office in the Arbeiter Zeitung building. This office is situated in the back of the building.”
“Well, state what you remember of the conversation.”—“I asked Parsons if he did not think it advisable to get some papers printed in the Scandinavian language, as I thought I could make use of them. I intended to distribute them among the Scandinavian people along Milwaukee avenue and that neighborhood. Parsons replied: ‘Yes, it is a good idea, and the best thing you can do is to bring the matter up in our next meeting. Bring it up before the meeting, and I will see that it is attended to. It is no use, we must have the Scandinavians with us.’ ”
“Did you have any talk with any of these defendants about the purposes and objects of the social revolution, so-called?”—“I have had numerous conversations with Fielden and Parsons but I cannot remember distinctly what was said.”
“What was Parsons’ relation to the Alarm?”—“He was the editor.”
“Did you ever see a book by Most called ‘The Modern Science of Revolutionary Warfare?’ Look at that book and state whether you have seen it before.”—“I have.”
“Where?”—“I have seen it at meetings at Twelfth street Turner hall; at No. 54 West Lake street, and also at No. 106 Randolph.”
“Who had charge of the distribution of it?”—“The Chairman.”
“Of the respective meetings?”—“Yes, sir.”
“Were they sold or given away?”—“They were sold.”
“Do you know whether or not any steps were taken to distribute the Alarm?”
“There were a number of those present at that particular meeting who bought a number of copies of the Alarm, and said that they would try their best to sell them and obtain new subscribers.”
“Do you know a man named Schneider and one Thomas Brown?”—“Yes, sir.”
“Did they belong to the American group?”—“Both of them.”
“Did they belong to the armed section?”—“Both of them.”
“Where usually did the American group meet before the time you ceased your connection with it?”
“During the last few meetings it met at No. 106 Randolph street.”
“Prior to that where did it meet?”—“It had met at No. 54 West Lake street, also at No. 45 North Clark street, and on the Lake front.”
“Did you ever meet with the American group at No. 107 Fifth avenue?”—“No, sir.”
“No. 636 Milwaukee avenue was the place mentioned as the proper place for drilling. Were you ever there?”—“I was there.”
“Did they meet more than once there?”—“I don’t know.”
“Do you know what the hall is called?”—“I do.”
“What is it?”—“Thalia hall.”
“When you joined this organization did it cost you anything?”—“Ten cents.”
“How often did you pay the contributions?”—“Once a month.”
“How much?”—“Ten cents.”
“When you joined the armed section did that require any special contribution?”—“No, sir.”
“What was Fielden’s office in the group of the armed section?”
“He was Treasurer and Secretary of the organization—of the group.”
“Did he hold any office, or was he simply a private in the armed section?”
“He held no office while I attended there.”
CROSS-EXAMINED.
Cross-examined by Mr. Foster:—“Where were you before you came here?”
“I was a police officer in England eight years.”
“In uniform?”—“Part of the time.”
“How long did you do detective service there?”—“Three years.”
“At what place?”—“In Lancashire.”
“How long have you been with Pinkerton?”—“Three years.”
“What did you do before you became a detective here? Were you ever in any legitimate business?”
Mr. Grinnell—“In any other legitimate business?”
Witness—“I was storekeeper at the Windsor hotel.”
“Was that meeting at Baum’s hall a public one?”—“It was.”
“March 1 you became a member?”—“Yes, sir.”
“Were your antecedents inquired into?“—“No, sir.”
“You just paid your ten cents and were received?”—“Yes, sir.”
“Is not that your experience, that anybody who could pay 10 cents could be received?”—“Yes, sir.”
“Did you ever see anybody excluded?”—“No, sir, except reporters. I have seen reporters