This warrant comes from the file of a criminal case in which the defendant, William “Big Bill” Haywood, and other Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) members were accused of violating Sections 6, 19, and 37 of the United States Criminal Code and Section 4 of the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917. The case file also includes the indictment, subpoenas, motions, and the verdict.
Haywood was the leader of the Western Federation of Miners and a founding member and leader of the IWW, commonly referred to as the “Wobblies.” He assembled unionists, and intimidated company bosses for improved labor conditions. He and other leaders were convicted of obstruction of military service and sedition and sentenced to 20 years in federal prison.
