The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-05-26
DEATH OF BRITAIN.
His Last Declaration ExOnerat-
ing His Slayer.
BURkE'S STORY OF SHOOTING.
The Penitent Man Died With Forgive
ness on His Lips-Eis Wili-Many
Friends at His Funeral.

George II. Britain, who was shot by
Hotelkeeper Campbell during barroom
rev at Sultan and who died at Providence
hospital Tuesday morning, made depo-
sition a short time before death, IN which
he torgiyes his slayer. and also made
will appointing Frank I. Burke his execu-
tor. The deposition was sworn to before
Louis Henry Legg, a notary public, and Is
as follows:
!, George II. Britain, being first duly sworn.
upon oath depose and say. That | am aware
that ara about - de and wish to make state
ment concerning the row in which was shot at
sultan, in the county of Snohomi,h, state of
Wa hin gton, on the 18th day OF May, 1892, by
one Campbell. was in the "a ocn at the sui
tan hotel and was drinking, and cannot tell just
how the shooting occurred. do not e,ire that
Campbell be- prosecuted in case should die. l
forgive him for shooting me. ! cannot say
whose fault it was that i was shot. If the Lord
will forgive Campbell, will.
As Brittan's illness prevented his sign
ing the deposition, he made his mark with
Edward l.. Smith and Frank I. Burke as
witnesses. The will was executed at the
same time, Mr.. Legg and J. o. Hestwood
being the witnesses. 1t is as follows:
/, George II. Britain, OF Snohomish county,
Wash, being Of sound mind and memory and
considering the uncertainty OF this frail and
trausitorg life, do therefore make, publish and
declare this instrument to be my last will aud
testament i'll manner fol owing that s TO say;
First direct that all my just debts and
funeral eZpcn> es and expenses OF my las; SICK
ness be paid out OF my estate.
second-I give and bequea.h TO nv beloved
mother, Mrs Robert Britain OF st. john, y. B.,
the sum o. 81.
Third I give and bcqueath to nv beloved
brother, Richard p. Britta n, OF ct John, y. b..
my diamond stud. my I'D ring with amethyst
setting, my open-faced filled gold watch, also
my watch-chan
Fourtu--All the rest, residue and remainder
of my properly both real and personal an
whercve situate, ! give, beqIeatI and devise 20
my friend, Charles Lawrence, OF Snonomish
COUNTY, state OF Washington
Lastly, | hereby nominate, constitute and ap-
point Frank I. Burke executor OF my last VIII
ana testament. And ! he:e9y direct that my
executor be not required to give anv bonds
whatsoever. And hereby clothe my executor
with full power to settle nv estate in the man
ner herein provided. hereby direct that let
teTs OF I'm nis:raton letters testam cnt1ry be
not required, AMI that my executor s-t.-e my
estate as herein provided without the inter
yeutIoa OF the superior court OF enonamish
county or any other county OF the state OF Wash
ington, further than the proof OF this my last
viii AMI testament
In witness whereof, have hereunto set my
hand ana sea this 21i day OF May, 1892.
Charles Lawrence, who was Brittain's
partner in the hotel at Dunlap and who
was present at the shooting, was seen at
Bonney q Stewards Yesterday afternoon a
short time before the funeral services We're
held. and in conversation said:
desire TO exoncrate Franz Burke from all
blame connected with the death of George Brit
tain. 50 many repo.,s have gotten around that
the matter does not stand before the publ C in q
clear light BurAe was not present during the
shooting, and in fact knew nothing about it till
he found Britain on the sidewalk outside the
saloon was with him. Britain and were
partners in hotel at Dunlap. He went to seat
tie 10 bay some furniture for the hotel, and on
his return met him at Sultan on his way
he had met two drUmmers and enjoyed
their company. was introduced
to them ami we tegan to drink
Before long We became bois;erous, and, l have
no doubt. GU arre,sOme. I. was the first time
ever saw Britain under the influence Of liquor
and for myself, While / do not drink much, I
was never 50 drunk IN my lie. did not know
OF the shooting until the next DIV, but under
stand that Britain threw a spittoon at Camp
bell Do not think the occasion required fire.
arms, Us we were unarmed aud George was
help essy drunk. As Il is Britain dying wish
that Campbell be not prosecuted, have nothing
more 70 say on that point. Britain was found
on the sidewalk by FEanA Burke, who happened
TO come along he street Britain raised Up and
said: NY God, Frank, I'm shot" Burke taok
him to room in TIL, hotel ana then cal ed a
doctor. Burke did all that cou i be done Tor
one IL trouble and was one OF Brittain's best
friends.
The funeral services over Brittain's re-
mains were held at O'Clock yesterday
afternoon at Bonney & Stewards. Rev.
Clark Davis officiating, and attended by
many of the deceased friends from Sultan.
DunIap and Aberdeen. The remains were
encased IN handsome oak casket. the top
of which was covered with handsome
floral gifts from friends 4 cross made of
white roses and presented by Frank T.
Burke was especially beautiful, and will
be sent 10 the mother in 81. John, y. 3.
Among those present was Timothy
o'Leary, the partner Of Campbell. He
brought 4 beautiful bouquet and word
from his partner that ali bills for expenses
attending the bUria! should he sent 10 him.
Patrick Reilly, a,life-long friend of Brit
tain. was also present. NJ. Davis. in his
remarks, euloglzed the character OF Brit
tain, saying that the deceased was a
church member and 2 strict Methodist.
In closing he alluded briefly TO the unfor-
tuUate affair which resulted in the Young
mans death. After the services the re-
mains were taken 10 Lake View cemetery.
here the Interrup0t roQk r,iacp