The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-27

The many miles Of travel this cut saved
was greatly appreciated by the Squak set
tiers, because it was not only to their adj
vantage in . commercial sense, but also
made them feel that they wee much
nearer to the mother settlement. Another
short cut was made by means of q foot
path starting from Coal creek on the east
ern shore of the lake. This was 30 rough
that only persons well acquainted with
the country would have taken advantage
of it. While it was not practical. yet it
furnished means of reaching the settle
ment. in case Of necessity. IN one day.
whereas the water route took twice as long.
Even at that time the great fear OF the
settlers, who were few in number, was the
Indians. Ifa young man in Seattle went
hunting his mother cautioned him to "be
very careful of the indians" Many peo-
pie now living in or about the city will re-
member that in the fall of 1854 there were
fears Of an Indian uprising. How the
rumors started or on what they were
founded would be hard to state, neverthe-
less the fact remains that there was gen.
erai feeling Of uneasiness. During the
summer there had been trouble on the
Snohomish river between white men and
members Of the Snohomish tribe. Three
of the latter were killed, and among them
chief. These facts alone would have led
a person well versed IN the Characteristics
Of the Washington Indian to look for
trouble Of some kind, although to judge
from what direction and in what manner
would have been difficult.
Casio at that time had several OF the
Snohomish Indians working for him, but
the thought of fear never entered his
mind. He had great influence over his
workmen and was looked up to by them
as sort Of white "tyee" or chief. Any
one that knew Casio could not but like
him, he was 80 free-hesrted, kind and
considerable of every person he met.
whether as friend and equal or as his
servant. He had one fault, however,
which goes hand in hand the world over
with a tree heart-he loved liquor and now
and then drank too much. He also got in
the habit of giving it to the Indians in his
employ. On several occasions the true
Indian nature, under the influence OF
stimuants, came out, came out, and it re-
guired all his authority to avoid blood
shed. His neighbors, who could be num-
bered on the fingers of both hands, with
some to spare, cautioned him not to give
"a redskin whisky and arouse the devil"
but he laughed at them, and when they
warned him of treachery, thought they
spoke nonsense. He would not believe
that the men whom he had treated so
kindly and befriended in every conceiva-
BILE manner would do him harm under
any conditions. He reasoned that his
neighbors did not judge the character of
the native correctly and underestimated
his influence. There was no reason why
he should not give his Indians liquor if he
so desired.
H. acted on this decision on the after
noon OF November Z, 1864. and then went
to his home for supper. The Indians got
gloriously drunk and then commenced to
thirst for blood. In the crowd were two
of the Snohomish tride, boodthirsty
brutes, and still seeking revenge for the
death of their tribesmen and chief on the
Snohomish river the summer previous.
Their resolve was made. Casto's life
would atone for that of the chief, his wife
and friend, John HOlstead, for the other
two. They secretly took their guns and
went to Castos house. The curtain of the
room wherein all three were seated at the
supper table was up. and the breast Of
Casio was in plain view of the assassins.
There was no hesitation on the part Of the
Indians. The first shot crashed through
the window and pierced Casio in vital
spot. He arose to his feet, staggered and
fell upon lounge. His wife sprang to
his assistance. but the rifle spoke again
and she fell to the floor. The third shot
hit Holstead. but not fatally, and the In
di ans. determined to complete their bloody
work, ran to the front door. They were
met by Holstead, who fought like de-
mon, but at length fell. his body stabbed
| in more than twenty places. Not content
with the slaughter already done. the blood
thirsty wretches drove their knives into
| the body of Casto's beautiful wife in a
manner most inbuman. Having finished
| their bloody work of revenge they left the
house, never for moment thinking their
| lives were in danger. In this particular
| they made a fatal error.
The shots fired had attracted Klickitat
Indian named Aleck TO the scene As fate
had it, he was a true friend to the white
man and held Casio. his employer, in high
regard. 1t took him but brief period to
comprehend the situation, and he deter
mined to avenge the death Of his master,
wife and friend. He concealed himself
and when the bloody brutes came out OF
the house he crept up behind them. One
shot was enough TO end the earthly career
of one. but the other took to his heels
Aleck followed him with Ratchet he had
drawn from his belt. and. being feeter of
foot. caught up. Then with one swift blow
| the skull of the fleeing Indian was cleft.
| and as he fell headlong to the ground
| Aleck jumped on him, and again and
| again the bloody Ratchet drank blood un.
| til the head that but few minutes before
had human shape looked like q chopped
| pumpkin.
While this series of bloody deeds was
| being enacted the few neighbors became
| wild with alarm. and. thinking that an
| Indian war had broken out, started tor
| Seattle Immediately. The band was made
up of n Mr.. Bush and family and three or
| four single men who had ranches in the
| valley.
They reached Seattle the morning of the
| 9th and told the news, stating their fears
of an Indian uprising. A party consist
| Ing of all the able bodied men in the town
| Immediately started Tor the scene of the
| tragedy 10y the short cut, and arrived there
| in the evening. The sight that met their
| eyes WAS horrible. In the bushes WAS
| found the body of the Indian who had
| been shot, and not far distant were the re-
| mains Of the other. covered with blood and
| dirt mixed. In the house the sight was
even more horrible. Holstead Law IN the
front room in pool OF clotted blood. his
body literally punctured with knife