The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1919-11-12
|. W. WIS MURDER FOUR MEMBERS
OF AMERICAN LEGION IN ARMISTICE|
DAY PARADE AT CENTRALlA, WASH.|

cal-Industrial Workers Are
Driven From City BY Infur-
lated Citizens
Centralia, Wash, Nov. 12.-
State troops today patrolled this
city where, during an Armistice
day celebration yesterday, four
members Of the American Le-
gion were shot and killed by men
said to be members of the l. w.
W. and Brick Smith, secretary
of the local post of the Industrial
Workers, was hanged by a mob.
Citizens today planned to drive
all radicals from Centralia,
where they have been increasing
for some time. Centralia was
headquarters for Lewis county
Industrial Workers operating
from here into the logging
camps and other industrial pur-
suits of this section. American
Legion members expressed the
determination that every I. w.
w. must leave the city.
ATTACK PREMEDITATED
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 Her
man Allen, an attorney and
member Of a committee of form
er service men, and others CO.
operating with the authorities
in an investigation, said evidence
had been obtained that it was
premeditated.
One Of the twenty men arr
rested yesterday and last night
in the sweeping search for l. w.
WIS following the attack was
said to have confessed plans
were made months ago Ito get"
Warren Grimm and Arthur Nc
Elfresh, two Of those killed, and
William Schales and Capt. David
Livingston. The four had been
active in suppressing radical ac-
tivities in this community.
OPENED FIRE WITH RIFLES
Without warning, bursts of
rifle fire swept the ranks Of
marching overseas veterans as
they paraded past /. w. W. head
quarters. From that building
and the roof Of a building across
the street bullets came. Per-
sons in the crowd that lined the
streets to honor the returned
heroes also pulled weapons and
began firing.
Grimm, leading a company of
men, dropped mortally wounded.
McElfresh, marching in the
ranks, was killed instantly. Ben
Casagranda died later from his
wounds.
WOUNDED MAN MAY DIE
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 /. 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 i.
w. w. secretary. Hubbard and the
fugitive grappled after a chase in
which Smith fired repeatedly at his
pursuers. AS they clinched, Hub
bard received four wounds in the
body.
HE DID '!HIS DUTY"
Another pursuer overpowered
Smith and he was taken to Jail, later
to be removed and hanged after citi-
zens learned that four of the former
soldiers had died. An attempt to
lynch Smith was made before he was
lodged in Jail.
"You fellows can't hang me-" he
said. II was sent to do my duty and
/ did it,"
THROWN FROM BRIDGE
Smith was tossed from a bridge
over the Chehalis river after rope
was tied about his neck and volley
of bullets sent into his body. The
lynching party worked silently and
in darkness while taking him from
the Jail. At 7:3O o'clock all the city's
electric lights were cut off and eight
men easily overcame the one man on
guard inside the Jail. Smith was
placed in one Of about six darkened
automobiles which stood about the
Jail and rushed to the bridge.
Little was known of Smith. He
came here short time ago. .
Two undertakers last night refused
to handle Smiths body and what dis
posal Of it would be made was un-
known.
NINETEEN /. w. WIS JAILED
Nineteen alleged l. w. WIS We're
in Jail here at 8 o'clock today. The
men were rounded up yesterday and
last night after the firing on the
Armistice day parade.
Company F, Third regiment, ma
tional guard of Washington, arrived