Fraser to Furs

Donald McPherson Fraser

Born 1888, Edinburgh, Scotland. Laborer. Migrated to Canada 1908, spent time in US and Mexico before migrated to US (via Canada, without inspection) 1915. Joined IWW 1909; became secretary of Astoria, Washington IWW local. Wrote on his 1917 draft registration card, “Don’t believe [in] militarism.” Arrested February 1919, Portland. Deported March 1919. Subsequent activities unknown.

INS file 54379/2

See also: https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/6482/005243374_01000?pid=71224592

Adolfo Frattesi (Adolph Fratese)

Born 1893, Pergola, Italy. Laborer. Migrated to US 1912. Anarchist. Member, Circolo Studi Sociali of Milwaukee. Brother Vincenzo Frattesi, sister Maria Nardini, and brother-in-law Pasquale Nardini also members. Arrested 1917 after Italian anarchist “riot.” Sentenced to 25 years as accessory to attempted murder of police, but sentence reversed by state supreme court. Then arrested for “teaching or advocating anarchy.” Deported July 1920. Italian authorities appear to have not placed him under surveillance. Subsequent activities unknown.

INS file 54235/70

See also: Robert Tanzilo, The Milwaukee Police Station Bomb of 1917; Dean A. Strang, Worse than the Devil: Anarchists, Clarence Darrow, and Justice in a Time of Terror

Giuseppe Frattesi (Joe, Joseph)

Born 1894, Pergola, Italy. Laborer. Migrated to US 1913. Brother of Adolfo and Vincenzo Frattersi and Maria Nardini. Had a “sweetheart” in France. While living in Racine, Wisconsin, involved in defense campaign for his siblings following 1917 Milwaukee “riot”; radicalized and became anarchist as a result. Moved to Chicago, where arrested May 1919, and again August 1919. Deported December 1919. His trunk containing his possessions was lost by immigration authorities. June 1920 migrated to France, where lived with brother Teodolfo, returned to Italy after a short while. Under Italian government surveillance throughout 1930s; reported to still hold anarchist and antifascist ideas, but not to be politically active.

INS file 54616/182; FBI file OG 8000-177156; CPC busta 2172

Vincenzo Frattesi (Vincent Fratese)

Born 1886, Pergola, Italy. Laborer. Migrated to Agignon, France at unknown date, where fined for assault in 1908 and served 8 days in jail for the same in 1910. Migrated to US 1913. Anarchist. Member, Circolo Studi Sociali of Milwaukee. Brother Adolfo Frattesi, sister Maria Nardini, and brother-in-law Pasquale Nardini also members. Arrested 1917 after Italian anarchist “riot.” Sentenced to 25 years as accessory to attempted murder of police, sentence sustained by state supreme court. In prison, repeatedly cited and punished for infractions, and 1920 declared “insane” and moved to mental hospital. Pardoned 1922 on condition of deportation and deported February 1922. Upon his arrival, institutionalized in Naples as “paranoid”; discharged November 1924. Settled in Fossombrone, where continued to be under surveillance and to hold anarchist ideas. July 1928 recommitted to psychiatric hospital in Pesaro, where diagnosed with “paranoid early dementia.” Still institutionalized as of 1940.

INS file 54235/69; CPC busta 2172

See also: Robert Tanzilo, The Milwaukee Police Station Bomb of 1917; Dean A. Strang, Worse than the Devil: Anarchists, Clarence Darrow, and Justice in a Time of Terror

Giovanni Fruzzetti (Frizzetti, aka Balloni; Gianni Lupo)

Born 1865, Carrara, Italy. Granite cutter; farmer. Migrated to US 1892. Anarchist. Lived in Barre, Vermont (where friend of Luigi Galleani and helped found Cronaca Sovversiva) until 1905, then Quincy, Massachusetts until 1910; when bought a 60-acre farm in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Wife and ten children in US; also supporting six nieces and nephews since his sister-in-law’s death. Health problems due to appendicitis operation. Arrested May 1918; stated belief “in the overthrow of any government by force.” Also told authorities, “My youngest child is feebleminded. My wife cannot leave that child, and she would not be allowed to land in Italy with that child. Therefore, unless I am permitted to return, my wife and I can never see one another again.” Deported June 1919. In Massa Carrara worked a small plot of land and “maintained good conduct,” according to Italian authorities, who also believed (incorrectly) that he was illiterate, and who in 1943 (when he was 74 years old) removed him from their list of subversives.

INS file 54379/351; CPC busta 2192

Timofey Furs (Thomas)

Furs’ URW membership book

Born 1896, Russia. Machinist. Migrated to US 1913. Member of the Union of Russian Workers branch in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Arrested during first Palmer Raids, November 1919. Deported on the Buford. Subsequent activities unknown.

INS file 54709/365; FBI file OG 379709

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