St. Maries in Benewah County, Idaho — The American West (Mountains)

The St. Marie's "Occupation" of 1918

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018

1. The St. Marie's "Occupation" of 1918 Marker

Inscription. During W.W. I, St Maries was a hotbed of International Workers of America (I.W.W.) unionizing activities. In December 1917, Sheriff E. Noland raided their headquarters near here and arrested secretary William Nelson for advocating sabotage.
On March 15, 1918, 300 "Wobblies" gathered on First Street between College and Jefferson Avenue, and decided to storm the jail and free Nelson. The Sheriff was assaulted while confronting them. An alarm was sounded and a local citizens brigade of 100 armed men assembled at College and Second causing the crowd to disperse.
On March 19, 1918, fifty federal soldiers from Fort Wright and fifty Idaho soldiers from Sandpoint arrived and took partial control of the the city. Tempers soon cooled, curfews were lifted and the "occupation" ended as the troops returned home.
Nelson's trial was moved to Coeur d'Alene, and in April 1918 he was convicted of "criminal syndicalism."

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Labor Unions. A significant historical date for this entry is March 15, 1918.

Location. 47° 18.92′ N, 116° 33.627′ W. Marker is in St. Maries, Idaho, in Benewah County. Marker is at the intersection of East College Avenue and South First Street, on the right when traveling west on East College Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at

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or near this postal address: 130 West College Avenue, Saint Maries ID 83861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Timber Made This Town (approx. ¼ mile away); St. Maries - Steaming with History (approx. ¼ mile away); Hughes House Historical Museum (approx. ¼ mile away); The 1910 Fire (approx. ¼ mile away); Willamette Steam Donkey Engine (approx. 1.2 miles away); Splash Dam at Hobo Creek (approx. 1.2 miles away); Mullan Trail Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); John Mullan (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Maries.

Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 7, 2018

2. The St. Marie's "Occupation" of 1918 Marker

I.W.W. poster image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Period Poster

3. I.W.W. poster

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 19, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 655 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 19, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.