Great Falls daily tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1895-1921, 1920-02-14
Confession In Centralia
l.W. W. Shootings But
tressed by Another
Wobbly Member.
Gun Which Fired Bullet
That Killed Grimm Is
Declared to Have Been
Brought by Fugitive.

Montesano, Wash, Feb. 13.-Ameri-
can Legion members marching in the
parade in Centralia last Armistice dav
had halted and were marking time when
the first shots were fired into their
ranks, according to T. c. Morgan, states
witness at the trial of II alleged I. w.
W, charged with the murder of Warren
shootings.
The first shot came from opposite the
[. W. ". hail. Morgan declared He
testified that he thought they came
from either the Avalon or Arnold hotels
The shooting from across the street
from the hall was followed quickly by
shots from the Roderick hotel, upstairs
over the hall, Morgan testified, qualify
ing the assertion by stating that he
thought they came from upstairs over
the hall"
Says Soldiers We're in Ranks
AT the time these first shots were
fired, were the soldiers standing in
ranks" W. H. Abel, of state counsel,
asked
They were closing up as near as /
could see, answered Morgan. They
wards the hall that / could see.'
Morgan was found hiding in an ice
chest in the rear of the I. ". w hall
after the shooting. With him in the
chest were James McInerney, Ray
Becker and Mike Sheehan. three of the
defendants. In the original informations
charging murder. filed in the justice
court at Centralia. Morgan was named
as defendant. but his name was not
included in the amended information.
Davis Had Fatal Rifle.
Morgans testimony also tended 10
establish the states contention that the
disputed 1856 rifle. from which it is
alleged Grimm met his death, was in the
lall before the shooting and was taken
70 the Avalon hotel by a man named
who is still at large. Morgan testified
hat man named Davis was in the hall
before the parade started. that he start
ID out, walking stiff-legged. but return
ID and took rifle from the leg of his
rousers and wrapped it in black over
,oat and then went out in the direction
# the Avalon. Barnett went to the
Avalon ahead of Davis, Morgan testified.
Saw Lawyer Smith Confer.
Morgan was in the T. ". W. hall at
he time Of the shooting. he testified
ut did no shooting himself. Britt Smith.
e said, offered him a gun. but he shook
is head negatively.
Elmer Smith. Centralia attorney. one
# the defendants, went to the I. W. W
lall shortly before the shooting Morgan
estified. He said Elmer Smith and
Britt Smith held conversation. but
hat he did not hear any of it. He
loticed, however. he said, that Brits
smith pointed towards the Avalon ana
.rnold hotels. He heard Elmer Smith
ay. he said, that he was going back 10
rotect his own office in case it was
ttacked.
Keep your mouth shut" was the m
truction of Britt Smith to those in the
all. according to Morgan. This. he said,
'as an instruction to all in case any
+ them were caught.
Other Witness Saw 1t.
Clarence Sherwood. a 17-year-oln
'entraia youth. testified TO being near
he railroad tracks. northeast OF the
Gene of the shooting at the time th,,
larchers We're fired upon He de-
cribed the shooting as sounding like
motorcycle exhaust" saying the shots
eemed to scome from both the hill and
-om the direction of town
After the shooting, he testified. he
Nv John Lamb, one Of the defendants
inning northeast from town. Two men
Lamb, he said, both carry
& guns.