The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1919-11-12
L.W.W.'S KILL
FOUR SERVICE
MEN;LYNCnED
Parade Sprayed With Bullets
From Radical Headquarters
-Overseas Soldiers Victims
of Assassins.
TROOPS ARE SUMMONED
(By Associated Preas)

(By Associated Preas)
CENTRALIA, Wash. Nov. 12.-State
troops today patrolled this city. where
during an armistice day celebration
yesterday 4 members of the American
legion were shot and killed and S
members OF the Industrial Workers OF
secretary OF the local branch of the
Industrial Workers, was hanged by a
mob.
The reason for the attack which
came as the head Of the parade swung
past l. w. W. headquarters, today had
not been developed fully. but Herman
Allen, an attorney and member OF
committee Of former service men and
others cooperating with the authort-
ties in an investigation, said evidence
had been obtained that it was pre-
meditated-
Citizens today planned to drive all
radicals from Centralia, where they
have been increasing for some tine.
Centralia was headquarters for Lewis
county. industrial workers operating
from here into the logging camps and
other industrial pursuits of this sec.
ton. American legion members ex-
pressed determination that every l
w. w. must leave the city.
Out to "Get" Men.
One Of the 20 men arrested in The
sweeping search for I. w. W.'s follow
ing the attack was said to have con-
tessed plans that were made months
ago to "get" Warren Grimm and Ar
thur McElfresh, two OF those killed.
and William Schales and Captain
David Livingston. The four had been
active In suppressing radical activities
in this community.
Without warning bursts Of rifle IRE
swept the ranks of marching over.
seas veterans as they paraded past
I. W. w. headquarters. From that
building and the roof Of a building
across the street bullets came. Per-
sons in the crowds that lined tie
street to honor the returned soldiers
also drew weapons and began firing.
Grimm, leading a company of men,
dropped mortally wounded. McEl-
fresh. marching in the ranks, was kill
ed instantly. Ben Casagranda died
later from his wounds.
John Earl Watt, George Stevens.
Jacob Phitzler and E. Eubanks also
fell wounded, the first named prob
ably fatally. Stevens was shot when
he attempted to disarm an L w. W.
standing on the street.
The fourth death of a parader was
added when Dale Hubbard recently
returned overseas man, gathered a
small band and started after the l. W.
tive grappled after a chase in which
of
suers. AS they clinched Hubbard re-
ceived wounds in the body.
Smith is Lynehed.
Another pursuer overpowered Smith
and he was taken to Jail later to be re-
moved and hanged after citizens learn
ed that four Of the former soldiers
had died. An attempt to lynch Smith
was made before he was lodged in
the Jail
"You fellows can't hang me" he
said. Il was sent to do my duty and
l did It,"
Smith was tossed from a bridge
over the Chehalis river after a rope
was tied about his neck and a volley
Of bullets sent into his body. The
lynching party worked silently and in
darkness while taking him from the
Jail
At 1880 o'clock all the city's electric
lights were cut off, and 8 men easily
overcame the one man on guard in
side the Jail. Smith was placed in one
OF about six darkened automobiles that
stood about the Jail and rushed to the
bridge.
Little was known Of Smith he
came here short time ago.
Two undertakers refused to handle
Smiths body and what disposal would
be made was unknown.
Clashes between the L W. W. and
Centraua citizens have occurred at In
tervals during the past two years. The
first trouble occurred when a radical
spoke against Red Cross bazaar. AT
that time crowd removed all furni
in the street.
to the capital from the eastern part OF
receipts Of news OF the disc fders here
Warren Grimm was commander OF
the local post Of the American Legion
He returned recently from Siberia
and had been practicing law with his
brother. During his college days q
the university of Washington. he &C
quired fame as an athlete. He was 81
years old and is survived by a wife
and baby daughter.
McElfresh was "a years old. He re
turned from France last May after II
months overseas.
| Hubbard served with the Twentieth
Engineers in France. He was married
only two weeks ago.
Casagranda served with the Ninety
| first division in France.