Friday, June 12
Thursday, June 11
Wednesday, 11 June 1919 - The Newsstand
The papers are all about last night's rioting...
Western Labor News
- Last night saw "A Riot Born of Revolution"
Winnipeg
- A Telegram reader upset by 'bohunk' riots:
A school lesson on Fred Coppins' injuries can be found here in pdf. It includes excerpts from newspaper reports.
The New York Times for June 11
- "Riot and violence broke loose on the streets of Winnipeg today. For three hours the strikers fought a pitched battle with the special constabulary in the heart of the city, at Main Street and Portage Avenue, while from windows and roofs of office buildings for three blocks Winnipeg looked on". (full article in pdf)
Western Labor News
- Last night saw "A Riot Born of Revolution"
- A Telegram reader upset by 'bohunk' riots:
A school lesson on Fred Coppins' injuries can be found here in pdf. It includes excerpts from newspaper reports.The New York Times for June 11
- "Riot and violence broke loose on the streets of Winnipeg today. For three hours the strikers fought a pitched battle with the special constabulary in the heart of the city, at Main Street and Portage Avenue, while from windows and roofs of office buildings for three blocks Winnipeg looked on". (full article in pdf)
Wednesday, 11 June 1919 - Riot and Proclamation
The proclamation was issued after a riot last night.A number of people were hurt including recently returned V.C. Frederick Coppins, acting as a special mounted constable. It's hard to tell what exacly happened from reading the newspapers (also see today's Newsstand).
A Telegram article says that he was both "...dragged from his horse by aliens who started murderously kicking him" but two paragraphs further down "... as he was turning, the horse stumbled and fell, throwing Coppins" and then he was beaten.As for his condition, The Citizen reports that he is dying in hospital and that "He was not expected to make it until morning". The Telegram is more upbeat "Unless complications set it doctors hold out hope for his recovery".
The Citizens' Committee have this ad about Coppins in today's Telegram:
Another Special Constable injured is T.S. Morrison of Ruby Street who is recovering in General Hospital from a gunshot wound to the leg. The Telegram says that a man driving by Higgins and Main came across a scuffle between a crowd and constables. He pulled over and shot with the intent to stop the fight and protect the officers. Accounts say that teh fighting did stop !
One of the three 'Austrian aliens' involved in the brawl with offiers was beaten with police batons "having his head severely damaged".
Wednesday, June 10
Tuesday, 10 June 1919
Here's what it looked like on the streets of Winnipeg today. The dismissal of the police force has added to the tension and the first open conflicts between strikers and police are noted. (Images from Manitobia and Tribune Archives.)
Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - The Chief goes, too
Chief Donald MacPherson, a 15-year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Department and chief since 1911, is ordered to take a three month administrative leave to allow for a new acting chief to 'reorganize'. MacPherson refuses and, as with the rest of his force, is dismissed.
The official statement from the Police Commission:
The new acting chief Chris H. Newton is a 20-year member of the force and was deputy chief under MacPherson. According to a Winnipeg Free Press story he had been offered the position of chief in 1911 but declined, making way for MacPherson.
For more on the Winnipeg Police during the Strike.
The official statement from the Police Commission:
The new acting chief Chris H. Newton is a 20-year member of the force and was deputy chief under MacPherson. According to a Winnipeg Free Press story he had been offered the position of chief in 1911 but declined, making way for MacPherson.
For more on the Winnipeg Police during the Strike.
Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - A few good men
The following ad is in today's Winnipeg Free Press. Note that you apply to the now deposed Chief Constable !
Despite the offer to re-hire police officers if thy denounce their association and refuse to ever strike, only 22 of the original members sign back onto the force. In the night a new force of special constables, referred to as "specials", are sworn in.
Despite the offer to re-hire police officers if thy denounce their association and refuse to ever strike, only 22 of the original members sign back onto the force. In the night a new force of special constables, referred to as "specials", are sworn in.
Tuesday, 10 June 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News
Winnipeg Citizen
Winnipeg
Winnipeg Citizen
Tuesday, June 9
9 June 1919 - Out With the Force
Tempers have been simmering at city hall over the police force.
Officials fear that the unionized police force may walk out in sympathy with the general strike. The addition of special constables and federal police to city streets has caused tensions between forces.
The Police Commission refused to deal with the police union and issued an ultimatum: that members of the force must sign a declaration renouncing their union membership and that they will not participate in a general strike. The members wouldn't sign the declaration and, as a result, the entire 277 member Winnipeg Police Force is fired by Resolution of Dismissal passed by council today:
Also see Winnipeg Telegram Police Force Fired
Officials fear that the unionized police force may walk out in sympathy with the general strike. The addition of special constables and federal police to city streets has caused tensions between forces.
The Police Commission refused to deal with the police union and issued an ultimatum: that members of the force must sign a declaration renouncing their union membership and that they will not participate in a general strike. The members wouldn't sign the declaration and, as a result, the entire 277 member Winnipeg Police Force is fired by Resolution of Dismissal passed by council today:
Also see Winnipeg Telegram Police Force Fired
Monday, 9 June 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News for June 9, 1919
- The "Greatest meeting ever held" in Winnipeg last night as Woodsworth addresses 10,000 at Victoria Park.
- Under the headline "The Winnipeg Revolutionary Strike" a full 12 pages of text outlining the Citizens' position on the strike.
Winnipeg Telegram Strike Edition for June 9, 1919
- Premier Norris' Cabinet calls for the Alien Act to be passed by parliament to deal with the "foreign agitator and alien enemy of Canada"
- The Walker Theatre closes for June due to the stage hand strike.
- More want ads appear looking for replacement workers.
Monday, June 8
Sunday, 8 June 1919 - Psst...looking for a job ?!
The papers don't publish today but if you have yesterday's Telegram look at all the jobs on the go now - permanent ones, too:
They're not hiring for Grand Beach as the place isn't ready for summer visitors yet due to the strike:
They're not hiring for Grand Beach as the place isn't ready for summer visitors yet due to the strike:
Sunday, June 7
Saturday, June 6
Friday, 6 June 1919 - Law and Order
Government leaders are putting into place new law and order provisions.
At a meeting in the premier's office yesterday that included Premier Norris, General Huntley Ketchen commander of military forces in Manitoba, Commissioner Aylesworth Perry of the NWMP and other authorities "plans were completed for the introduction of military rule in Winnipeg". Discussions also included having the military delivery of food to rural areas.
Ketchen
Perry
Ketchen is a tough-talker declaring that he will restore order. He feels that the current patchwork of regular police, volunteer police and special constables is not ideal for keeping order and that there are "too many mistakes are being made" and that mistakes could cost lives.
After yesterday's declaration by Mayor Gray forbidding mass gatherings, it is noted that the Specials are ready to break up street parades. When it was rumoured that a march might be called for today a Telegraph reporter quotes the mayor as saying "Tell the O.C. to have all of his mean ready and the mounted police in their saddles".
A parade never materialized.
At a meeting in the premier's office yesterday that included Premier Norris, General Huntley Ketchen commander of military forces in Manitoba, Commissioner Aylesworth Perry of the NWMP and other authorities "plans were completed for the introduction of military rule in Winnipeg". Discussions also included having the military delivery of food to rural areas.
KetchenPerryKetchen is a tough-talker declaring that he will restore order. He feels that the current patchwork of regular police, volunteer police and special constables is not ideal for keeping order and that there are "too many mistakes are being made" and that mistakes could cost lives.
After yesterday's declaration by Mayor Gray forbidding mass gatherings, it is noted that the Specials are ready to break up street parades. When it was rumoured that a march might be called for today a Telegraph reporter quotes the mayor as saying "Tell the O.C. to have all of his mean ready and the mounted police in their saddles".
A parade never materialized.
Friday, June 5
Friday, 6 June 1919 - The Newsstand
- Today's front page shows how large, and eventful, the marches are becoming. One story is of tells of "Ten Thousand Marchers" and that a "clash" was narrowly averted.
- Another story openly accuses the Committee of 1000 of having "armed thugs" watching the marches ready to cause trouble in the crowd. It tells of one such man being arrested and the mayor chasing the paddy-wagon down Main street demanding that the man be released from custody. A scuffle ensues when the Mayor leaves his car.
The front page also carries this notice for strikers:
Winnipeg Citizen
- Again uses the "child murderer" tag to describe the Strike Committee, accusing them of wooing dairy workers to consider strike action just days after a 'truce' was reached allowing the delivery of milk to resume.
- They, too, tell the story of the Mayor intervening in the arrest of an armed man on Main Street. Apparently, the man was a federal officer.
- Carries the headline "Mayor Gray is Assaulted", also recounting the arrest story.
- One of the strike's prominent women leaders, Helen Armstrong, appeared in court today after an altercation between strikers and newsies.
- Today's editorial "The Influx of Undesirables" says that the increasing unrest of the marches is attracting "professional agitators and crooks" from across the country to Winnipeg. The "riff-raff" of various vices are coming because they know there is no police force in place.The New York Times
- "Winnipeg Quieter with Soldiers' Aid"
The strengthening of Winnipeg's police force by 1,000 war veterans as special constables caused an increase in minor strike disturbances today. There were personal encounters but no serious demonstrations occurred.
Thursday, 5 June 1919 - The Great War Veterans' Association Takes Sides
Tensions have been growing within the ranks of returned Veterans over their position on the strike. By this time, there are both pro and anti strike Veteran groups marching.
The largest umbrella group for the men is the Great War Veterans' Association. It was established in 1917 after a number of failed or modest attempts by the government to assist soldiers upon their return:
Officially, the GWVA was neutral but that changed today. At a boisterous meeting at the GWVA hall the following resolution was put forth from the floor over the attempts of the chair to overrule it.
The motion passed with the required majority. The GWVA is now on-side with the strike.
The next day it was announced that the GWVA executive voted to cancel all meetings of the organization until fourteen days after the strike was declared over.
Also see "From Great War Veterans' Association to the Legion"
The largest umbrella group for the men is the Great War Veterans' Association. It was established in 1917 after a number of failed or modest attempts by the government to assist soldiers upon their return:
"... the returning soldiers began to create their own organizations. The most powerful of these was the Great War Veterans' Association. Through these organizations, the soldiers pressured the government to give preference to veterans when hiring and to increase pensions for common soldiers, widows, and the disabled". source
Officially, the GWVA was neutral but that changed today. At a boisterous meeting at the GWVA hall the following resolution was put forth from the floor over the attempts of the chair to overrule it.
The motion passed with the required majority. The GWVA is now on-side with the strike.The next day it was announced that the GWVA executive voted to cancel all meetings of the organization until fourteen days after the strike was declared over.
Also see "From Great War Veterans' Association to the Legion"
Thursday, 5 June 1919 - The Newsstand
Western Labor News
- Today's big news, of course, is the endorsement of the Great War Veterans' Association for the strike.
- Reporting on Tuesday night's Strike Committee meeting, this interesting bit: "The time has come when the strike must be taken out of the hands of Winnipeg alone" as it now involves "the whole Dominion" and negotiations with Ottawa
Winnipeg Citizen
- Accuses the Strike Committee of "An attempt at wilful murder". It stems from minutes they obtained from a strike subcommittee explaining why, in part, the committee dropped the "Permitted by Authority of..." card system for milk delivery and are now allowing the city to set up milk depots. "Their action was upon the point of killing babies" the story accuses.
- This small notification also appears:
Telegram Strike Edition
- Has the first major report of physical violence so far. Most takes place as pro and anit returned solders marches meet near city hall. "Rioting and street fighting ran rampant in Winnipeg today for over an hour" the Telegram reports. No serious injuries were reporte. Eight arrests were made.
- More on the milk and bread depots being set up by the city. The Telgram interprets it as a sign that the strike may be ending.
- Today's big news, of course, is the endorsement of the Great War Veterans' Association for the strike.
- Reporting on Tuesday night's Strike Committee meeting, this interesting bit: "The time has come when the strike must be taken out of the hands of Winnipeg alone" as it now involves "the whole Dominion" and negotiations with Ottawa
Winnipeg Citizen
- Accuses the Strike Committee of "An attempt at wilful murder". It stems from minutes they obtained from a strike subcommittee explaining why, in part, the committee dropped the "Permitted by Authority of..." card system for milk delivery and are now allowing the city to set up milk depots. "Their action was upon the point of killing babies" the story accuses.
- This small notification also appears:
Telegram Strike Edition- Has the first major report of physical violence so far. Most takes place as pro and anit returned solders marches meet near city hall. "Rioting and street fighting ran rampant in Winnipeg today for over an hour" the Telegram reports. No serious injuries were reporte. Eight arrests were made.
- More on the milk and bread depots being set up by the city. The Telgram interprets it as a sign that the strike may be ending.
Thursday, 5 June 1919
Concerned about the size of the daily marches now taking place, the mayors of Winnipeg and St. Boniface order that: “By virtue of the authority vested in me, I do hereby order that all persons do refrain from taking part in any parades.”(source)
Thursday, June 4
Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Strike May End Soon ?
Interesting item in today's Red Deer News. The sympathetic strike vote is taking a long time to organize. Why ? Many feel that the Winnipeg Strike will be settled very soon and by the time they organize, there will be nothing left to support.
Wednesday, 4 June 1919 - Anti-strike veterans
Preparing to march, June 4, 1919By this time the sight of 'pro-strike' veterans' daily marches to the legislature prompted those on the other side of the issue to mobilize. Today was one of the largest of the first 'anti-strike' marches by veterans.
Veterans reach city hallFor a good essay on the returning soldiers, including a summary of the 'pro-strike' and 'anti- strike' sides see Idionng's The Third Force: Returned Soldiers in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 (it's also the image source for the 2 MB Archives photos above).
Wednesday, June 3
Tuesday, 3 June 1919 - Marches Get Larger
The daily parade of veterans to the Legislature continue:
On June 3 a parade formed again in Market Square, just behind the City Hall, but soon returned to nearby Victoria Park, where Roger E. Bray, a socialist who had become the spokesman for the returned soldiers, announced that the soldiers had met with the Premier also with unsatisfactory results.
source
source
As reported in the New York Times:
Premier Norris of Manitoba and his Cabinet were publicly called on to resign by speakers of the delegation of returned soldiers, strikers, and strike sympathizers, who took possession of the Provincial Legislative Chamber today for the third time
One paragraph in that article mentions that the protesters tore down the sign out front of the Board of Trade building:
Some fear, as mentioned in the Telegram's editorial yesterday, that as the crowds grow well into the thousands and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees that the "one fool" needed to start violence will be easier to come by.
Protesters outside Board of Trade Building, Main Street
Library and archives Canada ID 21834
One paragraph in that article mentions that the protesters tore down the sign out front of the Board of Trade building:
Some fear, as mentioned in the Telegram's editorial yesterday, that as the crowds grow well into the thousands and the temperatures soar over 30 degrees that the "one fool" needed to start violence will be easier to come by.
Protesters outside Board of Trade Building, Main StreetLibrary and archives Canada ID 21834
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