Miscellaneous newspaper articles about Clearwater County
August 4, 1936
Fitchburg Sentinel, Fitchburg Massachusetts
TROOPS PATROL STRIKE AREA
Orofino, Idaho, Aug. 4-National guardsmen patrolled the North
Idaho loggers' strike picket lines today and found tense quiet reigning after
Sunday night's battle in which five strikers were wounded by gunfire and seven
woodsmen beaten.
Strikers were reported congregating in large groups today in
the Pierce territory.
Col. F.C. Hummell kept 60 of his troops here last night,
sending 20 under Capt. Hanry Brenn to Fromelt camp, scene of Sunday's outbreak.
Guardsmen, rushed into action when Gov. C. Ben Ross ordered
military rule yesterday, were alert for signs of the "further violence" which
Sheriff Joel Wilson of Clearwater county predicted.
Hospital officials here reported the condition of the wounded
strikers unchanged. Mike Selz and E.L. Gentry, the two most seriously wounded,
were reported in a critical condition.
August 9, 1936
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada
ARBITRATION FAILS IN LUMBER STRIKE
Orofino, Idaho, Aug. 8-Settlement of the Clearwater county
lumber strike appeared no nearer today, after Governor C. Ben Ross conferred
with strikers at Pierce, Idaho, 40 miles east of here, and with company
officials.
In a friendly meeting with the strike committee at Pierce,
Governor Ross said he heard their side, the story consisting of demands they
made when they led a walkout of 2,500 loggers in June.
On his return from the center of the strike zone, he met with
C.L. Billings, general manager of the Potlatch Forests, Inc.
August 21, 1936
Reno Evening Gazette, Reno Nevada
LUMBER STRIKE NEARING CLOSE
Orofino, Idaho,
Aug. 21-North Idaho's seven week logging strike apparently drew toward a close
today, with 4 p.m. tentatively set for the end of martial law in Clearwater
county and court action instituted against eight men accused of the shooting
which brought the military rule.
Announcement by General Manager C.L. Billings of the Potlatch
Forests, Inc., of the company's logging operations policy was awaited as the
final action in the denouncement of the labor controversy, which started June 28
with the walk out of an estimated 2,500 lumberjacks. Billings gave no indication
of an immediate pronouncement.
August 24, 1936
The Helena Independent, Helena Montana
IDAHO MARTIAL LAW IS FORMALLY ENDED
Orofino, Idaho, Aug. 23-With troops already withdrawn
strike-torn Clearwater county's martial law, effective since a bloody picket
line clash in which five men were shot three weeks ago, ended today by
proclamation of Gov. C. Ben Ross.
Ross revoked the martial law order after I.W.W. strike
leaders announced officially "the strike is ended."
In announcing the end of the eight week walkout, P.E. Stover
and James E. Whalen, I.W.W. strike committee leaders, asserted the strikers
voted to return to work under "military duress."
RESULT
The strikers dropped their demands for a minimum wage of $5 a
day and shorter hours when C.L. Billings, general manager of Potlatch Forests,
Inc., largest operator in the Clearwater district, was adamand against them.
Stover contended, however, that the strikers won their main point-better camp
living conditions.
March 26, 1956
Bennington Evening Banner, Bennington Vermont
HELICOPTER ARREST
Orofino, Idaho-Squad cars, paddy wagons, police launches,
sheriff's horses-none of these was of any use when the government decided to
arrest Bill Moreland.
Authorities flew a helicopter into the remote North Fork area
of Idaho's Clearwater County to pick up the 55-year-old hermit.
Morland was charged with illegal entering of a government
building. Authorities said he stole food supplies stored in the woods for the
use of rangers and snow surveyors.
Morland was jailed in lieu of $1,000 bond and his trial date
was not set.
Back to Clearwater County Home
©Shauna Williams