The Murder of Frank Little
Little was a labor leader who fought tirelessly for the rights of workers in Butte, Montana, during a time when labor disputes were often met with brutal violence. Little was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World union and served on their executive board. He was also a passionate advocate for peace and a vocal opponent of the First World War. However, his outspoken views made him a target for those who disagreed with him.
In the early hours of August 1, 1917, Little was beaten by six men, abducted, and then hanged from a railway embankment. A note was pinned to his leg that read, “First and last warning.” No one was ever arrested for his lynching, and the case remains unsolved to this day. His murder serves as a reminder of the sacrifices that have been made in the fight for workers’ rights and social justice.