The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-06-05
Wednesday, June B, 1879.
A FOUL MURDER.

On Thursday afternoon iast - 'Fma-
linn was received by Justice Dweiiy,
of Port Gamble, that two squaws were
icing dead on the beach near Big Spit.
=. Hoods Canal, few miles above
port Gamble. Mr.. Dwelly sent an
Indian to bring the bodies down to
Gsmble. The Indian returned with
Int one of the bodies. which showed no
bruises. or signs of having been muir
dered. Search was immediately made
for the other body. which was found
near where the first was picked up
This one, however. was badly bruised
about the head, as if
BEATEN WITH 4 CLUB
Or bottle, and the neck was scratched
and torn. showing finger prints as from
severe beating. Upon searching in the
vicinity for some clue to the murderers.
q man was found on Big Spit, who gave
the name of John Flaherty, and was
taken into custody on suspicion. This
Flaherty is q sort of vagahond or
tramp who has been loafng around
Port Gamble for O month or two. living
on clans and what he could steal. On
being questioned he stated that early ON
the morning of the previous day. he
started up the beach to dig clans for
his breakfast, but before he got to his
destination he came across camp of
five men on the beach who were asleep.
La the camp he found two bottles Of
whisky and loaf of bread, which he
stole. abandoning the idea of digging
clans. and started back down the beach.
He had not proceeded far. before he
met the two squaws, subsequently
found dead. He gave the squaws q
drink out of one Of the bottles of
whisky, and also gave them the other
unopened bottle. They all three then
proceeded back to the camp of the five
men on the beach. These men were
fishermen. and men that had been
working around logging camps a
little. One of the squaws presently
stated out into the woods o
short distance to procure some
water, and was followed by q man
named West. He stated, however, that
he only followed her about twenty
yards, but his pipe was picked up
about fifty yards from the camp.
WARRANTS WERE ISSUED
For the arrest of all six of the men,
and the trial and inquest lasted three
tlays. Sufficient evidence could not be
obtained to fasten the guilt upon any
one. aud on Saturday afternoon the
Coroner's jury brought in verdict
that the two squaws came TO their death
by being
FOULLY DEALT WITH
by party or parties to them un-
known. 1t came out in the evidence,
however, during the inquest. that the
man Flaherty had furnished the Indians
whisky, he having confessed the same,
and that he had also committed lar
ceny, some articles that were stolen
from a resident of Port Gamble having
been found liz his possession. lie con-
fessed 10 the larceny. and said he would
return the articles, which consisted of a
suit of clothes and some other things, ii
the Court would Re lenient with him.
The man West. before mentioned. was
also found to have
SOLD LIQUOR TO INDIANS
On the reservation commonly known as
Boston. about q month or two ago.
They were both arraigned before Judge
Dweliy on Friday. Flahcrty on charge
of selling liquor to Indians and grand
larceny. and West on a charge of sell.
ing liquor to Indians. They were both
convicted, and their bail fixed at 81 900
each to appear at the next term of the
District Court. Failing To give bail.
they were committed to the custody OF
the U. s. Deputy Marshal.