

Hopedale History
October 2022
No. 408
Strike at Draper Company, Part 1
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Twenty-five years ago – October 1997 – Loomis Fargo Bank Robbery: The second largest cash robbery in U.S. history ($17.3 million, mostly in small bills) occurs at the Charlotte, North Carolina office of Wells Fargo. An FBI investigation eventually results in 24 convictions and the recovery of approximately 95% of the stolen cash.
The remains of Che Guevara are laid to rest with full military honours in a specially built mausoleum in the city of Santa Clara, Cuba, where he had won the decisive battle of the Cuban Revolution 39 years before
Fifty years ago – October 1972 – The first publication reporting the production of a recombinant DNA molecule marks the birth of modern molecular biology methodology.
Alex Comfort‘s bestselling manual The Joy of Sex is published.
Following a visit to South Vietnam, U.S. National Security Advisor Henry Kissinger suggests that “peace is at hand.”
President Richard Nixon approves legislation to increase Social Security spending by US$5.3 billion
One-hundred years ago – October 1922 – Greco-Turkish War of 1919-1922 ends in Turkish victory.
In Italy, the March on Rome brings the National Fascist Party and Benito Mussolini to power. Italy begins a period of dictatorship that lasts until the end of the Second World War, but at the same time becomes the predominant power in the Mediterranean.
British Broadcasting Company is formed.
Rose Bowl sports stadium officially opens in Pasadena, California.
News items above are from Wikipedia. For Hopedale news from 25, 50 and 100 years ago, see below this text box.
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IWW Strike at Draper Company – 1913
From Milford Events for Fifty Years
March 22 – Threat of I.W.W. strikes in Hopedale and at Milford Iron Foundry, since the visit of Joe Ettor and Arturo Giovanniti, leaders of the Lawrence strike.
April 1 – I.W.W strike at Draper Co. plant started. The Milford men assembled in Lincoln Square, marched to Hopedale, and made a noisy demonstration. They tried to dissuade by force employees from entering the plant, but were unsuccessful as Chief Samuel Kellogg had a large force armed with baseball bats guarding the entrance to the plant.
The men returned to Milford to Driving Park Hall for a meeting, about 600 being in the crowd.
Draper Co. stated that no demands were made by the strikers, that many in the parade were not their employees and that the I.W.W. was responsible for the outbreak.
Worcester, Boston, Clinton and South Framingham policemen with State Police, under the command of Capt. Proctor, and Worcester County Deputy Sheriffs came upon the scene. Hopedale swore in several policemen. Milford is in the most uncomfortable situation in its history.
April 2 – The first clash of strikers and police occurred this morning when strikers resisted efforts of police to take baseball bats from them. Joseph M. Coldwell returned here yesterday and assumed leadership of the strikers, who asked for increased wages, etc., which were presented to Draper Co. officials today and were refused.
April 8 – Twenty-three members of the Metropolitan Police arrived in Milford for duty during I.W.W. strike. Women and children paraded through the streets of Milford and Hopedale, carrying many placards. Milford and Hopedale are heavily guarded by police.
April 10 – Thirty-five iron moulders employed in Milford Iron Foundry discharged this morning when they reported for work. Leader Coldwell threatens general strike of all “foreigners” employed in Milford factories in retaliation.
April 10 – Milford Board of Trade adopts resolution asking Selectmen to refuse use of Town Hall to strikers because of labor unrest.
April 10 – Four unknown men fired several shots into a Hopkinton-bound car of the M & U Street Railway Co. The car contained employees of Draper Co. The only person wounded was George Davis of Hopedale, hit in fleshy portion of hip by 32-calibre bullet.
April 14 – After the parade to Hopedale this morning strikers marched to Greene Bros. manufactory and William Lapworth and Sons elastic web manufactory, and urged the employees to leave their work. There were 50 girls from Greene Bros. and 25 at Lapworth’s who quit work. There were 428 men in the morning parade.
April 14 – Ex-Gov. Draper announces the company’s willingness to discuss wage conditions with former employees.
April 15 – Girl pickets and loyal workers at the fabric mill battled, many girls being scratched and bruised. Arrival of officers quelled the outbreak. The iron foundry at Draper Co. received 35 new employees today.
April 16 – Rioting in front of Lapworth mills today, resulted in two officers being injured and many persons clubbed. Men, women and girls numbering 150 participated. Conference to end the strike fails. Draper Co. refusing to deal with I.W.W. Motor trucks used to transport Lapworth’s girl employees to and from work, Metropolitan Police guarding them.
April 18 – Town of Hopedale adopted stringent by-laws against parading, etc. at a special town meeting.
April 19 – Mass meeting held in Lincoln Square by strikers at which 4,000 people gathered.
April 22 – Draper Co. strikers again attempt by force to prevent employees going to work. Strike pickets and police clash.
April 24 – Emilio Bacchiocchi, 32 years old, of Milford, a Draper Co. striker, shot and killed in the Spindleville section of Hopedale, while picketing. Great excitement prevailed. Leader Coldwell arrested for infraction of Hopedale by-laws; with being a dangerous and disorderly person and with uttering threats and menacing speeches. Coldwell arraigned in District Court and his case continued. Joseph Bianco, attached to the Italian Consulate in Boston was at the trial. On Coldwell’s promise not to again lead the strikers to Hopedale the charge against him for violating by-laws was not pressed.
April 26 – Funeral of Emilio Bacchiocchi, slain striker. About 2,000 were in the funeral procession, business places of Italian-speaking residents were closed-many of them for the last two days and some having crepe on the doors. Services were in the afternoon in Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, after which the procession marched through the streets and to St. Mary’s Cemetery, were services were again held at the grave.
To be continued.
Hopedale News – October 1997
















Hopedale News – October 1972









Hopedale News – October 1922

