Wesley Everest
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Wesley Everest (1890—November 11, 1919) was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World and a World War I veteran. He was killed during the Centralia Massacre after killing Ben Cassagranda and Earl Watts and wounding others.
After serving in World War I, Everest worked in Centralia, Washington as a lumberjack. He also was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World. During the celebration of Armistice Day in 1919, members of the American Legion, allegedly acting on orders from the local lumber companies, attacked the IWW Union Hall. The result was a fire fight that resulted in deaths of four men, two of whom were killed by Everest.
It was said that Wesley uttered the words, "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 going to get it." [1]
Everest was arrested and held in jail. During the evening of November 11, a mob stormed the jail and tortured Everest, eventually hanging him near the Chehalis River. It was alleged that his teeth were smashed with a rifle butt and he was castrated before the lynching. None of the members of the lynch mob were charged for the crime.
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- Union Mural honors Wesley Everest Columbia Magazine Article.
- Biography of Wesley Everest From Sparticus School.
- Armistice Day Riot Description of the Centralia Massacre
- Wesley Everest at Find A Grave
