The recent massacre of Colorado striking families is foremost on the minds of 1914’s May Day celebrants.

‘Local Centervale Comrade Celebrate May Day’ from The Washington Socialist (Everett). No. 174. May 7, 1914.

Go To It, Comrades!

Winchester, Wash., May 2, 1914. Washington Socialist, Everett, Wash.: Dear Comrade–I write to inform you that we of the Centervale local are still alive. We mustered up a crop of rebel comrades, some of whom were not in our ranks but were sympathizers and who were all against the murdering of innocent women and children, and had a grand old May Day parade. At 9:30 we raised the Scarlet Emblem on the district school house. This is one of the few school houses that ever flew a red flag, the emblem of international Socialism.

A very well selected program was in order, with speeches by Comrade Lake and others. Comrade Mrs. T.E. Jones spoke of the Colorado murders by the thugs of Rockefeller. Many other struggles between the greedy master class and labor were discussed. The meeting was a great success in all ways and closed by the jubilant crowd singing revolutionary songs.

At the close of the meeting the salute to the red flag was fired by the Socialist rifle club.
Then all comrades formed in line for a three-and-a-half-mile parade. The red flag was carried at the head.

The most conspicuous banner in the ranks was carried by Comrades Oliver and Matthew Dishaw on whose milk-white background was inscribed in red letters the future battle cry of the American revolution: “Remember the Colorado Massacre.”

On arrival at headquarters, the stirring news of the call to arms by the Colorado State Federation of Labor was received through the medium of your paper. A company was immediately organized and is awaiting further developments.

The day has arrived when we must get together as a body of intelligent working men and take possession of what rightfully belongs to us.

Will close with best wishes to the Washington Socialist, the paper which prints the truth.

Yours for the revolution,
JOSEPH DISHAW.

PDF of full issue: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn88085769/1914-05-07/ed-1/seq-1/