The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-03-09
A Tragedy Of Pioneer Days.

The recent suicide of w. N. White
in Seattle has recalled to the minds of
the few of the original pioneers on
Puget Sound who are still in the land
of the living one of the most tragic
of the many tragic incidents of the
early settlement of the Pacific North
west, of which White, then a young
lad, was witness.
The story referred to as told is as
follows: In 1851 William White, the
father of w. N. White, travelled across
the plains from Wisconsin and select
as his future home place near Olym-
pia. At the time the district was very
sparsely settled, all the inhabitants,
however, living close together. After
getting his log house built and making
garden spot he sent for his family to
come to him and help him wage war
on the Western forests. AS soon as
they could make the proper prepara-
tions they sailed over the rolling
plains in prairie schooner, accom-
panying other adventurous ones, who
had the nerve to strike out into the
almost unknown wilds of the North
west. At last, after long days of travel
and long nights of vigilant watch,
the little band of emigrants completed
their journey. White met his wife
and five children and took them to
their future home. Everything went
on smoothly, though rumors were fly
ing about to the effect that the Ind
ians all along the Pacific coast were
becoming hostile and at any time
might take to the warpath, that red
trail which leaves the settlers home in
ruins and often times sweeps his
dearest treasures from the earth. One
Sunday during the latter part of 1852
Mr.. White and his family went to
church at the little village of Olym-
pia. After spending several hours in
social intercourse with their neighbors
the horses head was turned home
ward, Mr.. White walking along in
front. When about half way home,
suddenly, with unearthly whoops from
both sides of the road, half dozen
hideously painted savages jumped
forth. The horse, frightened by the
sudden appearance, became unmana-
geable and ran away. White remain
ed behind and for several minutes
held his own, but at last he was over
come by the great number of Indians.
Mrs. White and the children were car
.ried swiftly by the frightened horse
to the village, and Immediately she
notified the men who gathered about
what had happened. They armed
themselves and quickly started for the
scene, but alas! too late, poor White
was dead. Mangled and torn his
body was discovered thrown aside in
the underbrush, while the red devils
who had done the dastardly deed had
vanished like spirits. But the spark
OF revenge had been lighted in the
breasts of these sturdy backwoodsmen
and they swore to avenge the death of
their companion. For days and days
the search was kept up for the band,
and at last several of the members
were caught. 1t goes without saying
That but few legal technicalities were
raised or motions for new trials made
for those particular reds were quickly
sent to join their companions in the
happy hunting grounds.
Mrs. White still residesInear the scene
OF this early tragedy and is now Mrs.
Ruddell. She is cousin of Mr.. VIII
lis, who tells the story. Mrs. Chief
Justice Dunbar, one of her daughters,
was baby in arms when she took
this fearful ride. The other children