The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-10-09
Suicide Of Skookum Smiths
Son Near Olympia.
He WAS a SLAVE or DRINK.
First Shot His Father-in-Law, and
Wanted 80 Kill His wife.
Tho Navy Yard Commission Looks at
Fidalgo Island and Beliinsham nay
Harbors-Grand ARMY Dsy q tho
Spokane Exposition.

OLYMPIA, Oct. 3D. -[Special.1 - Frank
Smith, son of the late famous ssSkookum"
Smith, Of Tacoma. tried to murder his
father-in-law last night, and also tried to
kill his wife. He then shot and killed HIM
self. The tragedy occurred eight miles
from Olympia on the roadside. Smith is
well known in Olympia. He came here
about five years ago, and was Interested in
the steamer Fleetwood. He finally drew
out of this and engaged in the real estate
business. He had large real estate inter-
ests, and was at one time quite wealthy.
He married the daughter Of w. H. Fife, OF
Tacoma. from whom he was divorced, and
afterwards married the step-daughter OF
John P. Crins, Of South Union, who is the
divorced wife Of Cal McFadden. Mr.. and
Mrs. Smith lived on Eighth street, west of
Main. Smith has long been addicted to
strong liquor, and was often delirious. He
has threatened his wife,s life before, and It
Ii said that ut one time went 50 tar as to
IRE ct her, just grazing her clothing. It
has now been learned that he attempted TO
take his own life about two weeks ago.
After drinking heavily. he took an over
dose of laudanum and his life was only
saved by the efficient work OF the physi-
clans. During the past week he has been
in . bad condition, and threatened his
wife's life 90 often that she left him to live
with her stepfather. She had been at
South Union about three days. and came
in yesterday to get her trunks. At about
8 O'Clock she started for home accompanied
by Mr.. Crins. During the day she was
warned to be on her guard, as Smith was
in such condition that he would probably
carry ont his threats.
As the party reached Tumwater last
night, Smith rode up and the three talked
the matter over. He declared he could not
live without his wife, but Crins told him
that they would come to town again on
Saturday, and would have Z talk about it
then. With this they parted, Smith riding
ahead. On the way it is known that
Smith endeavored to secure rife ct four
distinct places, but without success. At
the house of Rev. Mr.. Hopkins, at South
Union. he stated that he wanted rife to
kill some grouse, or game, and was given
g 38-caliber Winchester. Armed with
this, he rode back half . mile
and secreted himself behind large
fir and awaited the approach of his
victims. As they neared the tree, in
the vicinity Of South Union, he fred the
first shot, which took effect inone Of Crins'
arm. He then ran to the head Of the
horses. but Crins brought the whip around
with = slash, cutting Smith across the face.
Crins quickly whipped up the horses, and
Smith ran along side. Hating moment,
he fired three more shots at the Occunants
of the wagon. One of them lodged in
Crins' right arm and compietely shattered
the bone, the third ball struck Crins in the
side of the breast and lodged in some pa
pers and q memorandum book in his
pocket. At the third shot Crins fell back
ward into the wagon. Mrs. Smith whipped
up the horses and drove with all speed to
South Union. Smith fired parting shot at
her, which grazed her dress near the
shoulder. Smith then mounted his horse
and rode after the wagon to the edge of the
woods. On reaching there he turned his
horses head and rode back to the spot
where he had lain in wait for his victims,
crouched down. and with the same rifle
brought his own life to an end by blowing
ont his brains.
News of the tragedy reached Olympia
before midnight. and DR.. Armstrong drove
to the scene to care for the wounded man
Crins. This morning Crins was brought in
to st. Peters hospital and DR.. Flannipan
extracted the pieces OF bone from his arm.
The wounds are serious. but the doctors
say the wounded man will recover.
The body of Smith was brought to the
city at 2o'clock today, and was taken to
the undertaking establishment of Rabbe-
son Il Harmed. Coroner Hartsock went
out to the scene and empanelled Jury.
The body was found short distance from
South Union.
He had placed the muzzle of rife in
his mouth, and the bullet passed out of the
back OF his head. His mouth was black
ened with powder. Robert P. Shoecraft
was the principal witness. He related the
movements of Smith, who arrived in the
city yesterday at 10 a. M. In the testi.
mony Mr.. Shoecraft stated that when
Smith asked if his wife had left him. and
he told him yes, he said he would arm him.
self and go to Crins' house. Shoecraft
says:
1t was his intention to kill his wife first and
then kill himself. He urged me to 20 with him,
and on my declining 10 do so he said that
might al well 60 with him. for certainly would
have to make the trip later In the day. He then
left me, saying be would go alone
Later in the day Mr.. and Mrs. smith
appeared at my Office and stated that
they wished to see me. Mr.. Smith then asked
his wife if she had lett him for good, to which
she replied that she had. After filling ou,
deed TO lot, Smith asked when he could leave
Olympia for Seattle. / told him either on the
Potter or Multnomah He then bade his wife
and myself good-by. and that is the last time l
saw him alive"
Did he threaten to use his pistol In the
Officer"
He threatened my life, stating that had
made some remarks which refused to retract
Then it wos that seized and dissmed him.
The jury then rendered a verdict that
Frank f. Smith had met death at his own
hands by placing the muzzle of a rifle in
his mouth and firing, the bullet coming
out through the back of his head. The
body will remain in charge of the under
takers until directions for its disposal are
received from his friends in Tacoma.
John P. Crins is an old pioneer, having
located in this neighbornood about thirty
two years ago. He was painter by trade.
and lived in house on Ninth street,
which. with the ground, was recently sold
for $7,0C0.