I disagree with Julie McDonald in her April 2 column where she contends that The Centralia Armistice Day Tragedy Centennial Committee “is a waste of time.” I think that a little more work by dedicated committee members will accomplish the committee’s stated mission: To hold an unbiased, balanced observance on the Centennial anniversary of this tragedy, 11 November 1919 - 11 November 2019 and create a static memorial for heritage tourism and local school education.
In focusing on the static memorial and education aspect, in November 2018 the committee began work on a draft monument inscription intended to help correct the less-than-accurate inscription on the back of the Sentinel Statue. And to recognize the lynched Wobbly and those imprisoned under questionable circumstances. Final draft approval would rest with the city council. Working through January of this year, and six revisions, the unfinished work looks like this today:
“DRAFT MONUMENT INSCRIPTION (Revision 6)
The Centralia Armistice Day Tragedy, 11 Nov. 1919
“During the parade, Centralia American Legionnaires broke ranks to raid the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) — Wobbly — Union Hall, and drive them from town. In self defense the Wobblies opened fire and killed four Legionnaires, all local World War I Veterans.
“That night, one of the shooters, Nathan Wesley Everest, a Wobbly and also a veteran, was dragged from jail and lynched from the Mellen Street bridge by a vigilante mob. No charges were ever filed in Everest’s death.
“Due to the Legionnaire deaths, 10 Wobblies, and their lawyer Elmer Smith, were charged with 1st degree murder. In a highly controversial trial, eight Wobblies were convicted of 2nd degree murder: Britt Smith, Bert Bland, Commodore Bland, Ray Becker, James McInerney, John Lamb, Eugene Barnett and Loren Roberts. These men served from 10 to 18 years in state prison. Dedicated 11 November 2019.”
At the January committee meeting, the IWW inscription proposal outlined in Julie McDonald’s column was presented with the demand that no revisions by the committee would be allowed. The committee majority accepted that demand.
At least three of the minority committee members have objections to the IWW wording.
1. The IWW logo at the top of the inscription makes it a political statement, by a private organization, on public property. Thus, likely furthering community conflict.
2. The wording does nothing to further understanding on the 1919 incident.
3. The comments that the Wobblies were “unjustly imprisoned” is an opinion that flies in the face of the Washington State Supreme Court decision confirming the Grays Harbor Superior Court jury verdict. Distasteful and corrupt as that trial may have been, until such time as that decision might be overturned by the court, it legally stands. To etch a contradiction in stone on city property is likely not a good idea.
Hopefully, the committee can rededicate itself to its original purpose and continue its work through negotiations. More information on the work is available on the committee’s Facebook page.
Jay Hupp
Shelton
