Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1864-08-13
Letter from New Dungeness.
NEW DrNGENEss, July g

NEW DrSGENEss, July 20, 1904.
Ed. STANDARD: Dear SIR: In the issue
of the Pacific Tribune of July 10th an article
appears that makes it necessary for me TO ask
the privilege of trespassing still further upon
your columns, to correct errors that the letter
of Skookum'' has shed broadcast.
"Skockum" says "that some people be-
lieve that John Tucker was shot by Indians to
retaliate for the murder Of Lord jim" This
statement is untrue, for nobody believes any
thing Of the kind. Was it Indians that en-
deavored upon two occasions just previous to
the murder 10 take his life Was it Indians
that sent him away, and told him that they
would take his life if he ever came back Do
Indians shoot rifle balls and with patching
upon theml Do Indians, when they 90 on
their marauding expeditions carry with them
bundles of bread made from hop-yeast, ana
fresh made butter and salt beef, like that
found in the bed in which The assassins lay
when they shot their victim
"Skookum" says. "the respectable citi-
zens of Claim, feeling they were in danger of
losing their lives without moments warn
ing, have formed themselves into vigilance
committee" etc, etc. Who does "Skookum"
call the respectable citizens of Claim +! Is it
those who kidnap inoAensive people and send
them out of the United States, without any
form of law or showing of justice? Is it those
that lie in ambush to pounce upon the un-
armed and defenceless and take their lives
without any provocationl Now who has been
in such danger of losing their lives without
notice! have never heard of anyone ever
being threatened by any one Of the parties
exilpd, and during that they have resided in
the county the records of the courts do not
show that any violence has ceen done by them
to anyone. This feeling of fear from these
men, is all trumpcd up and imaginary. 1t
ever had an existence.
Skookum" says "that these men were
English men-of-war's men," and infcrs that
they were consequently not entitled to the pro-
lection of our laws. Now, sir. have yet to
learn that there is any disgrace to be attached
to any person on account of his nativity or
that when aliens come here and take as they
do an oath, without any mental reservation,
to support the Government and laws OF the
country, that they are not entitled to the pro-
pection that the Government is bound to give
to the humblest of its people.
But "Skookum" says that " the civil law
has proved failure to bring the scoundrel.'
meaning Tucker, " to justice" If Tucker
committed faults and errors, let them that have
never themselves erred accuse him. Those
that have accomplished his death should not
slander him after they have silenced his tongue
from replying to them. Such conduit is cow
ardly in the extreme, and besides, the charge
is untrue. The only prosecution there ever
was against any Of these parties was charge
of petit larceny against Tucker and Harry
Martin, Of which they were both convicted at
the September term of the District Court. Mt
Fort Townsend, and sentenced to the county
iail for thirty days. After their term of i'm
prisonment had expired, they both pledged
themselves to live honest and upright lives,
and challenge "Skookum," or any of these
pretended viSilants, to show that they have
not done so. And more, two of the men who
were forced to leave their homes by this mob,
have never been publicly accused OF any crime,
nor can any be fixed upon them, and assert
without fear of successful contradiction, that
Adams and Goold were both Of them entirely
innocent of any crime.
Now Mr.. "Skookum," you say you arc
Union man." and have "voted the Union
ticket for two years past" and that you are
member of this vigilance committee" You
may have so voted, but it must have been
JEFF. Davis's union ticket, or otherwise you do
not act publicly with the committee, for there
il no man who has voted the Union ticket
among the rioters.
"Skookum" says further that they were
assured protection by few who were no bet
ter than themselves" Now it is quite com
mon style of argument to say that these ex-
lied men were IS thieves" and those that do
not approve of banishing them Or taking their
lives are bad as thieves, but it will hardly
frighten anyone whose sympathy would be
worth having Now "a regards the "protcc-
tion," " Skookum" must know that it is false.
As it is patent and wcll-known fact that he
was told bv influential members Of the mob
that he could como back and get his little pro-
perty, and he came here accordingly thinking
be was safe.
Skookum," let me give you little ad-
vice ON this subject Of lettcr-writins. 1t is
this never assail large community Of your
fellows through the medium Of the press with
out affixing your real name to your produc-
tions, a. it looks bad, aud cowardly. espcc ial-
II when you nre vindicating those fifty-four
rifemen, of whom you claim to be member.
and the next time the public has the pleasure
of being enlightened BY your pen. let every
one know who writes. and then the people
will know better how much weight to give
YOUR statements. Do not fancy that you have
been able to keep up your iseognifo. for let
mo assure you that you arc known. aud it is
thought this name Of - Skookum" is all bluff.
a. you are known to bs the vcrcst coward in
the whole community. Your statements also
stamp you a. falsi6er Of the truth. 1fyou
have q spark of manhood left. you will come
out and acknowledge your real name and max"