The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-27
Murder of the Hon. B. II. Kendall OF
Olympia, Washington Territory.

Murder of the Hon. Es. Il. Kendall Of
Olympia, Washington Territory.
From the n Y Tribune
On the 4th of January last, the Hon. B.
f. Kendall, of Olympia, Washington Ter
ritory, and late Superintendent of Indian
Affairs for that Territory, was killed in his
Office at Olympia by a man named Horace
Howe, jr. The deceased was native of
Bethel, Oxford county, Maine, where his
parents now reside. He left home when
a mere boy, in 1914, with no fortune but
a strong heart, clear head, and a fine
muscular figure, and set his face toward
the nearest academy. BY economy, close
application to his books, and teaching a
part of the time to earn money to pay his
expenses, he was graduated at Bowdoin
College in Maine, with the highest honors
of his class, in the summer of 1862. He
then studied law year and was appointed
to clerkship in one of the Departments
at Washington. He soon resigned this,
and joined, as astronomer, the expedition
under the late Gen. Stevens to survey the
northern route for the Pacific Railroad.
On reaching the Pacific coast he decided
to settle down and practice law at Olympia.
He soon became the leading lawyer of the
Territory was for several years Librarian
and Secretary of the Territorial Legislature,
and interested largely in numbering and
navigation. Though born and educated
Democrat, he early took strong ground
against the Pro-Slavery, despotic and Sc
cessiOn tendencies of the party, and hence,
though perhaps the best educated and
ablest man of his age in the Territory, he
received no favors from the last two Ad-
ministrations. In the Spring of 1861 he
returned to Maine for a short visit, and
with kindness of heart peculiar to him
purchased a homestead in his native town
and gave it to his parents. The last of
April he was in Washington and volunteer
ed to protect the city. In May he was
told that Gen. Scott was without definite
and trustworthy information of the state
Of affairs in the Seeded States lie APP
piled to the Vice-President for letter of
introduction to the General, and on pre-
senting it told him that he had no military
experience, but that he could explore the
traitors, and report as well as a military
man. The General told him he would
very possibly be killed before he got
back Mr.. Kendall answered that in a
crisis like this every good citizen owed his
life to his country, and should be willing
to give it if necessary that he was ready
to start, if his services were accepted, as
soon as he could receive his instructions,
and it must be understood that he should
take no pay whatever beyond his ne
cessary personal expenses. The Gen
eral told him to consider the matter
twenty four hours, and then call on him
and give his decision. He returned pune
tually, and when asked what his decision
was, replied, g gave you that twcntyfour
hours ago" The old warrior asked him
how soon he could start; he said in thirty
minutes. He received his instructions, and
in half an hour was on his way to Norfolk.
His journey of a month through Rebellion
would fill volume He visited Norfolk,
Portsmouth, Wilmington, Charleston,
Montgomery, Mobile, New Orleans, jack
son, Knoxville, Richmond and Manassas.
He communicated with leading Union men
through the South, where such existed;
attended Senator johnson at several meet
ings to see that he was not assassinated,
had an interview with jeff. Davis at Mont
gomery, and Letcher at Richmond, and
coming directly through Manassas reported
to Gen. Scott, and was highly compli-
mented in writing by the General for his
courage, ability and success, and thanked
for the Importance of his information.
In the Summer of 1861, he was APP
pointed by the President Superintendent
of Indian Affairs for Washington Territory.
In the winter of 1862, without any notice
or cause stated to him, he was removed,
and friend of the delegate from the Ter
ritory appointed in his place. He was al
ways outspoken in his denunciation of
wrong doors. Howe's father had got mixed
up in the wanton destruction by fire of
some valuable buildings, an account of
which appeared in paper edited by Mr..
Kendall. To revenge himself he attacked
Mr.. X. with a bludgeon, and in elfdefense
Mr.. X. shot him with a pocket pistol, in
flicting a severe though not dangerous
wound. A month afterward, January 7,
when the affair was believed to be settled,
Howe's son entered Kendall's office, asked
to see him moment in his private office
they stepped in, closed the door, and soon
a loud report of pistol was heard, and
Mr.. Kendall came staggering out shot
through the heart He died Immediately,
but the murderer was apprehended, and is
awaiting his trial