Wesley Everest

Wesley Everest (1890—November 11, 1919) was a member of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and a World War I veteran. He was lynched during the Centralia Massacre after killing Ben Cassagranda and Earl Watts and wounding others in self-defense.

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 attacked the IWW Union Hall, although it is debated who initiated the incident. The result was a fight that resulted in deaths of four men, two of whom were killed by Everest.

It was said that Everest 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." [cite web|url=http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/USAeverest.htm|title=Biography of Wesley Everest|work=USA History|publisher=Spartacus educational web site (UK)|author=John Simkin|accessdate=2007-12-12]

Everest was arrested and held in jail. During the evening of November 11, a mob stormed the jail, castrated and tortured Everest, eventually hanging him near the Chehalis River. It was alleged that his teeth were smashed with a rifle butt before the lynching. No one was charged for the crime.

ee also

*First Red Scare

References

*cite web|url=http://libcom.org/history/1919-the-murder-of-wesley-everest|title=1919: The murder of Wesley Everest|accessdate=2007-12-12|publisher=libcom group (Libertarian Communism), London

External links

* [http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=5855116 Wesley Everest at Find A Grave]