What happened to Big Bill was that he got framed on a murder charge and the I.W.W put all of its energies into saving his life -- which they did, but pretty much sapped the organization's energy -- which is usually considered the government's point in the whole thing. He spent years in jail. Funny things happen to people when they are desperate. I don't remember that, though it's been years since I did any reading on the Wobs, but Bill wasn't bailed; he was jailed.