Centralia: Tragedy and Trial
Centralia, Tacoma: Grant Hodge Post No. 17, Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2, 1920. First edition. 8vo, 79pp. Signed by Major General Leonard Wood at his foreword. Photos, map. Staple bound in beige wrappers with green lettering and illustration. Heavy rubbing to spine, wrinkling and soiling to wraps. Ownership signature on title else clean internally and very good.
Very scarce publication which recounts the events of the 1919 Armistice Day Tragedy in Centralia, WA from the side of the American Legion. The Centralia Tragedy between the Legionnaires and IWW Wobblies resulted in six deaths including a lynching, multiple wounded, and several prison terms, with the events leading up to and during the conflict being bitterly disputed by the two sides. The ensuing trial was a national headline and contributed to the Red Scare. Lampman's book which was published shortly in the aftermath while tensions were high, of course described the event as a massacre planned by the IWW, painting them as anarchists.
OCLC cites 4 holdings for this publication, and this copy particularly scarce signed by Wood. Item #9208
Price: $250.00