100 years ago in Spokane: North Central High grad shot during ‘Wobblies’ riot in Everett

From our archive, 100 years ago

Athol Gorrill, 20, a North Central High School graduate and University of Washington student, was injured in what came to be known as “Bloody Sunday Everett.”

He was shot twice during a riot in Everett involving the Industrial Workers of the World (the Wobblies). Gorrill was part of a group of citizens and sheriff’s deputies attempting to keep a party of 250 Wobblies, on the steamer Verona, from docking at Everett. One bullet was removed from his chest and he was said to be resting well in a local hospital.

Gorrill fared better than many in this violent confrontation. It began when hundreds of Wobblies embarked on the Verona from Seattle to engage in a free-speech fight in Everett. When the Verona pulled up to the dock, it was greeted by the sheriff, backed by a crowd of officers and citizens. The sheriff announced, “You can’t come ashore,” and showed his pistol in a holster. At that point, “a fusillade” erupted.

Seven people – five Wobblies and two deputies – died. More than 40 were wounded.

From the war beat: Former Spokane mayor W.J. Hindley was called for service in the European war as a chaplain in the Canadian army.

Hindley had left Spokane several years earlier to take a job as a pastor in Winnipeg. He said he could embark for Europe soon.