The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-01
An Opium Casket Hid in a Cabin
Just North of the Boundary.
Terry Made No Pretense of Hon
esty-Baird Refuses to Resign-Bu-
chanan Denounces His Accusers.

he would do so he would take all the re-
sponsibility on himself (Terry). In dis
cussing the right and danger of plotting
Cinnamon across the line Terry told him
there was no trouble, as Poor, a deputy
sheriff of King county, would take care
of them. They asked the hotel keeper if
he did not mean Holden, and he said
mo, the name was Poor"
1t has been noticeable that the Seattle
papers have endeavored to extenuate the
part taken by z. L. Holden in the Chi
nese escapade at Sedro. Whether in the
right or wrong so far as the shooting is
concerned, it is generally believed here
that Holden has acted in concert with
Terry in the smuggling of opium and was
expected to cooperate with him in ham
ding the Chinese. Your correspondent,
to give full and fair exposition of the
situation at the time of Holden's visit to
Terry at Sumas, some two weeks ago,
interviewed Mr.. d. B. Lucas, the city
marshal, and Mr.. C. III. Harrison, the
butcher, who saw the men bring the large
box, supposed to contain opium, to the
road near the old Barker cabin. Mr..
Lucas made the following statement:
Before o. T. Holden came to sumas Inspector
Coblenz, who had come up from Tacoma by
the Bellingham Bay road, came to me and
told me that Holden would arrive
in Sumas on the 800 p m.
Lake Shore train, and said that he would like TO
have me go over to the depot and notice who
met him and talked with him, as he was suspi-
cioned of being a smuggler. though United
States officer. went to the depot as requested,
and found ]. E. Terry on the platform, appar-
emily waiting for the train. knew Terry, as he
had come to me several times previously and
made overtures to ME to help him through Su-
mas with opium He told me he had 600 pounds
cached within half mile OF the line. l had
talked with him twice particularly on this sub
ject, but took little stock in what he said. When
the train arrived at the depot I was
surprised to see Terry jump on the
train, shake hands with Holden,
who had been described by me to Coblentz,
and ride with him to the exchange platform,
near the boundary. Holden did not seek the
customs officer here, but went Immediately
across the line into British Columbia with Ter
~. They went up the wagon road, on the west
side of the railroad, and were gone about two
hours. When they returned they took room
al the Albany, over the Board of Trade saloon,
and slept together. officers Snyder, Coblentz,
and another man and myself all were standing
at the Bellingham Bay British Columbia de-
pot when they returned, but no greeting or word
was spoken, though they could plainly see us.
The next day Snyder, ,Coblentz and Holden met
and went riding together Holden was expected
to show up what he was after, but did not. They
returned at about o'clock p. m. After this
Holden went over to Cline's dance hall. As
went there on my rounds, about So'clock,
/ saw Terry and Holden leaving there.
They came down little frequented street east
OF the railroad, where lost track of them in the
dusk OF the evening. An hour and half or two
hours later, about 1880 or IL o'clock p. m,
met C. II. Harrison, who informed me that he
had ust mt horseback
he had seen two men near the old Barker cabin,
on the British side, with large box and gave
me description of them. The description an
syered to that of Terry and Holden. About
midnight OF little after on the same night
met Harrison again ON the corner near the
Board of Trade saloon, and we walked together
to Palmer's restaurant which was open and we'll
lighted II was also moonlight l then
two men come across the open ground from the
direction of the new hotel and old Barkers
cabin. They passed in front of the restau-
rant, and at once saw that it was Terry and
Holden, but said nothing. As soon as they
passed Harrison nudged me and said:
'.Those are the men saw packing that box
near Barker's cabin" Holden and Terry again
slept together, but at the Hotel dc Barker. in
stead of the Albany, where Inspector Coblentz
had engaged room next the one occupied the
previous night. Holden left Sumas the next
morning on the Seattle, Lake Shore & Eastern
British Columbia. Inspector Coblentz secured
the Nooksack river country, and returned two
days later, when Inspector Baird arrived.
snyder Baird and went out to the Barker
cabin and saw tracks OF men and where some
thing large and heavy had been set down in the
shed, and also among the ferns where il showed
plainly We traced the route 1t was carried to
the road, but could follow i: no farther On
Thursday last saw Terry again. He came to
Sumas from British Columbia, invited me to
take drink with him at the Board OF Trade and
went down the Bellingham Bay & British Co
lunbia road on foot, with his coat on his
shoulder.
Mr.. c. H. Harrison, who buys and kills
the beeves for the meat market on Garfield
street, said:
About two weeks ago, late in the evening, 1
should think between Q and 10 o'clock, was
coming in from Mr. Rogers place, about a mile
from Sumas, where had been to look at some
cattle When I arrived near where the road
turns TO the west, near the old Barker cabin,
ssw two men come out of the brush from the
roadside and set down a large box. They had q
cord tied around each end of the box. 1t looked
like rope the size of q clothes line. The moon
was bright SO could see plainly. They had
pole running the full length of the box, and il
stuck out about foot and a half at each end, 1
should Judge. They were just in the act of set
ting it down when / came upon them. had
heard them plainly as they pushed their way
through the thick brush before / got
10 them. One OF the men / i'm
mediately recognized I did not know
his name. but had eaten at the Queen
chop house in Sumas several times at the same
time ne was eating He was man OF medium
height, about five feet nine inches, heavy set,
wore blonde beard Of about three or four
weeks growth, aud had on kind of dirty-gray
suit OF clothes He set one foot up on the box,
threw his hand on his knee and waited in that
position as II resting. could see that his pants
were frayed out at the bottom. He had no coat
on-a large belt and scabbard and revolver
hung az his side. The other man was taller and
wore q dark suit He stood sideways 20 me, so l
only saw the profile OF his face. had never
seen him before. He wore derby bat and
stood by the box, with his hand resting the
muzzie OF a Winchester rife. wanted to look
closer, but / didn't like the looks OF the
outfit, go did not look back. When /
rived in town I hunted up d. B. Lucas.
the marshal, and told him what had seen.
Later we were standing near Palmer's rsstsu-
rant when these same men came by. then
said 10 Lucas: There are those men | saw
now" He then said 10 me: Those are the men
lam watching" den't know the names Of