History of Socialism in Montana and the Region
Socialism had a definitive foothold in Montana in the early 20th century. In 1903 Anaconda voted socialists into the positions of mayor, treasurer, police chief and three council seats. From there the Socialist Party of Montana grew quickly. Speakers and organizers traveled throughout the state. It was especially popular among the workers/miners of Butte and other industrial cities and among farmers in small rural communities. By 1910-1912 there were members of the Socialist party in 67 Montana communities.
In Missoula, in 1909, labor rights, free speech and the fight to end capitalism took to the streets. These events have been memorialized on the marker erected by the Montana Historical Society at what is now known as Free Speech Corner at the intersection of Front St. and Higgins Ave. On the heels of this first successful free speech fight, IWW organizers moved the campaign to Spokane, where massive civil disobedience there also won the right of worker organizers to free speech. After that the IWW and Socialists took free speech fights over the next decade to dozens of cities across the country.
Butte elected a Socialist city government headed by Mayor Lewis Duncan in 1911. In 1912 the Socialist Presidential candidate doubled his share of national votes among Montanans to 13.6%.
World War I incubated the usual nationalism that war does.And the same time period saw the start of persecution and murder of organizers in Montana. Among other events this included the Anaconda Road Massacre in Butte in 1920 when mining company guards fired on striking miners, killing one and injuring sixteen. The guards went unpunished. In 1917 American Labor leader Frank Little was lynched in Butte. The murders and persecution combined with industrial turmoil in Butte and the war saw decreased interest in Socialism.
In Missoula from 1914 – 1916 Mayor Andrew Getchell and Councilman Hodson were both members of the Socialist Party. As Missoula was a commission form of government, two people equaled a majority. So, for those two years the Socialist party had complete control of Missoula government.
In Missoula, in 1909, labor rights, free speech and the fight to end capitalism took to the streets. These events have been memorialized on the marker erected by the Montana Historical Society at what is now known as Free Speech Corner at the intersection of Front St. and Higgins Ave. On the heels of this first successful free speech fight, IWW organizers moved the campaign to Spokane, where massive civil disobedience there also won the right of worker organizers to free speech. After that the IWW and Socialists took free speech fights over the next decade to dozens of cities across the country.
Butte elected a Socialist city government headed by Mayor Lewis Duncan in 1911. In 1912 the Socialist Presidential candidate doubled his share of national votes among Montanans to 13.6%.
World War I incubated the usual nationalism that war does.And the same time period saw the start of persecution and murder of organizers in Montana. Among other events this included the Anaconda Road Massacre in Butte in 1920 when mining company guards fired on striking miners, killing one and injuring sixteen. The guards went unpunished. In 1917 American Labor leader Frank Little was lynched in Butte. The murders and persecution combined with industrial turmoil in Butte and the war saw decreased interest in Socialism.
In Missoula from 1914 – 1916 Mayor Andrew Getchell and Councilman Hodson were both members of the Socialist Party. As Missoula was a commission form of government, two people equaled a majority. So, for those two years the Socialist party had complete control of Missoula government.
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MISSOULA’S SOCIALIST MAYOR ANDREW GETCHELL
Andrew Moses Getchell was born January 18, 1860, in Glencoe, Minnesota to William and Phoebe Getchell. He married Emma Sweet of Jefferson, Montana in 1893 and honeymooned at the Chicago World’s Fair. They had four children: Alton was a member of the Fire Department, Litton was a chiropractor, Marion chaired the Missoula Selective Board, and Flora was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Union Club and married Undersheriff H. K. Powell. Andrew came to Livingston, Montana in 1888. He was employed with Northern Pacific Railroad prior to and after his term as mayor. He retired as an engineer in 1928. |
Mr. Getchell moved his family to Missoula in 1905. He was elected as Missoula's 23rd mayor in 1914, serving until 1916. Mayor Getchell and Councilman Hodson were elected from the Socialist Party. As two constituted a majority and Missoula was a commission form of government at the time, the Socialist Party was then in complete control of the administration.
Mayor Getchell’s agenda included:
Andrew Getchell died November 14, 1934, at his home when stricken suddenly by a heart attack. Former Mayor W. H. Beacom paid the following tribute to Mr. Getchell, “In the passing of Andy M. Getchell Missoula has lost one of its highest type of citizens. Generous to a fault, his hands were never closed to human need. Strong with likes, charitable with his dislikes. If the breath of scandal touched the garments of a fellow mortal, he would not accept the naked charge as proof of guilt. He had to have proof. One could not know Mr. Getchell at all intimately, without becoming a better citizen.”
Mayor Getchell’s agenda included:
- An active campaign to acquire the municipal ownership of the water works and other public utilities.
- He improved and beautified all public parks as rapidly as finances could be reserved for such.
- Appoint an experienced person as Street Commissioner, who could also act as Inspector.
- Re-organized the Police Department through the elimination of two assistant chiefs and appointing a Chief of Police who would share responsibilities with the councilman in charge of the Department of Public Safety and Health. (At the time this meant the demotion of current Commissioner William H. Houston who had also been the past Sheriff of Missoula. This move made a mortal enemy of Mr. Houston.)
- Instituted regular and systematic fire drills. The drills should occur as often as two or three days a week. He installed up-to-date equipment and did away with the last team of horses used in the Fire Department. The motorized equipment made the operating cost less and gave quicker service.
- Enforced the “Speeding” and “Gambling” laws.
Andrew Getchell died November 14, 1934, at his home when stricken suddenly by a heart attack. Former Mayor W. H. Beacom paid the following tribute to Mr. Getchell, “In the passing of Andy M. Getchell Missoula has lost one of its highest type of citizens. Generous to a fault, his hands were never closed to human need. Strong with likes, charitable with his dislikes. If the breath of scandal touched the garments of a fellow mortal, he would not accept the naked charge as proof of guilt. He had to have proof. One could not know Mr. Getchell at all intimately, without becoming a better citizen.”
