“Be ready for the command ‘eyes right’ or ‘eyes left’ when we pass the ’reviewing stand’,” Grimm told the platoon commanders just as the parade started.

The procession covered most of the line of march without incident.  When the union hall was reached there was some craning of necks but no outburst of any kind.  A few of the out-of-town paraders looked at the place curiously and several business men were seen pointing the hall out to their friends.  There were some dark glances and a few long noses but no demonstration.

“When do we reach the reviewing stand?” asked a parader, named Joe Smith, of a man marching beside him.

“Hell, there ain’t any reviewing stand,” was the reply.  “We’re going to give the wobbly hall ‘eyes right’ on the way back.”

The head of the columns reached Third avenue and halted.  A command of ‘about face’ was given and the procession again started to march past the union hall going in the opposite direction.  The loggers inside felt greatly relieved as they saw the crowd once more headed for the city.  But the Centralia and Chehalis contingents, that had headed the parade, was now in the rear—­just where the “scorpion sting” of the 1918 parade had been located!  The danger was not yet over.

“Let’s go!  At ’em, boys!”

The Chehalis division had marched past the hall and the Centralia division was just in front of it when a sharp command was given.  The latter stopped squarely in front of the hall but the former continued to march.  Lieutenant Cormier of the secret committee was riding between the two contingents on a bay horse.  Suddenly he placed his fingers to his mouth and gave a shrill whistle.  Immediately there was a hoarse cry of “Let’s go-o-o!  At ’em, boys!” About sixty feet separated the two contingents at this time, the Chehalis men still continuing the march.  Cromier spurred his horse and overtook them.  “Aren’t you boys in on this?” he shouted.

At the words “Let’s go,” the paraders from both ends and the middle of the Centralia contingent broke ranks and started on the run for the union headquarters.  A crowd of soldiers surged against the door.  There was a crashing of glass and a splintering of wood as the door gave way.  A few of the marauders had actually forced their way into the hall.  Then there was a shot, three more shots ... and a small volley.  From Seminary hill and the Avalon hotel rifles began to crack.

[Illustration:  Elks Club, Centralia

It was here that the Centralia conspiracy was hatched and the notorious “secret committee” appointed to do the dirty work.]