May Day. It is International Workers' Day. In honor of that day, let's note this from WIKIPEDIA:
Nathan Wesley Everest (December 29, 1890, in Newberg, Oregon — November 11, 1919, in Centralia, Washington) was an American member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and a World War I era veteran. He was lynched during the Centralia Massacre after killing Dale Hubbard in what the union called self-defense, though the American Legion called it murder.[1]
Wesley Everest was a rank and file member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) who served the the US Army during the First World War.
After the war Everest worked as a lumberjack in Centralia, Washington. The lumber trust became concerned that the activities of the IWW would lead to a strike. It was decided to use the American Legion to force members of the IWW to leave the area.
On 11th November, 1919, the American Legion paraded through the street carrying rubber hoses and gas pipes. They then attacked the IWW Hall. Everest, who was inside, shouted: "I fought for democracy in France and I'm going to fight for it here. The first man that comes in this hall, why, he's joining to get it." Shots were fired by both side and during the fight four men were killed.
Everest was one of the men arrested. That night a mob broke into the jail and as he was dragged out of his cell, Everest shouted: "Tell the boys I died for my class." Wesley Everest was taken to Chehalis River, where he was lynched.
On November 5th, 1916, The Everett Massacre took place. We shall not try to describe this terrible tragedy of the class struggle. We refer every body to the account of it, issued in a book of 302 pages by the I. W. W. This book, “The I. W. W. Massacre,” is written by Walker C. Smith and sold by the I. W. W. Should be read by every red- blooded worker. Five were killed and scores wounded.
The Everett Massacre was one of the foulest deeds ever committed by the dirty hirelings of the capitalist class. It can be compared only to the indescribable horrors of Armistice day in Centralia, Wash., on November 11, 1919. The gruesome death of our Fellow Worker Wesley Everest on that day is enough to stagger the world. We cannot go into details. Read the book “The Centralia Conspiracy,” by Ralph Chaplin. It describes in word and illustration those terrible days.
Fellow Worker Bert Bland, who with a number of others is now serving a sentence equal to life imprisonment in Montesano as a result of the Centralia conspiracy, writes a touching tribute to the memory of the martyr Wesley Everest, which is published herewith.
Wesley Everest’s last greeting was: “Tell all the boys I did my best.” Joe Hill’s last message was: “Don’t mourn. Organize!” Frank Little’s last message is known only to his murderers, but we have no doubt it was like Joe Hill’s.
