The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-18
POKER AND PISTOLS,
WinOna junction the Scene Of Bloody
Tragedy.

WinOna junction the Scene OIL bIoouy
Tragedy.
CoLFAx, Aug. 1.-THE small way
station Of Wjnona Junction, Is miles
west Of Colfax, yesterday experienced
bit of midwest tragedy. No salts
factory account of the affair could be
obtained last night, and the reports
that reached Colfax were conf1ic ing.
The meager report received at the
sheritf7s office left the particulars in
doubt. Deputy Sheriff Eacho and Dr.
G.. M, Boswell set out last night for
Wiuona and returned at daybreak with
the man who did the shooting and
with substantial details of the occur
cLc..
Started by . Poker Game.
James Tow, a stock rancher Of Rock
Creek, seven miles from Winons, had
come into Winous, aud was drinking
freely at McKune's saloon yesterday.
A hobo, who gave his name as John
McFee Braithwai e, and who gives an
unsatisfactory account OF himself, was
also there INDUCING in liquor. The
men were both very much intoxicated
when they engaged in game OF poker
for the drinks. According to Braith-
waite he was losing too regularly, and
he suddenly concluded that Tow was
cheating him. This was about
o'clock In the afternoon.
II called him down." said Braith-
waite, this afternoon, ut the jail.
land We got into quarrel
of words. We were both drunk.
Tow Is bigger man than me,
and he rushed at me all of sudden
and began pummeling me. was no
match for him. Then we separated
for a few moments and l noticed Tow
had knife In his hand. The whisky
that was in US stirred up the wordy
war again and Tow started TO attack
me the second time. imagined that
he would use his knife, and to protect
myself snatched out my pistol and
wnen he made dash at me l shot him
| in the breast. Then went out of the
saloon and wandered down the river,
| where remained till nightfxll. l was
not trying to escape aud l returned Ia
the depot at Winona, where the deputy
sheriff found me-"
| It Is believed that Braithwaite was
intent on getting away from Winons
on the night freight. Deputy Eacho
arrested him at the depot.
Tow Tells His Story.
Tow says Braithwaite called him OBJ
scene names because he was winning,
aud that he (Towl struck him fol
the insult. aud was answered by a shot
Braithwaite is evidently hard char
acter. He is about 80 years Of age. TX
partially bear out his story both hi
eyes are blacked and his face otherwise
shows the signs of the beating he re
ceived.
Tow was shot through the rlgh,
luae, the bullet entering between The
third and fourth rib and passing ou
near the point Of the shoulder. Thu
wound will, In all probability, prove
fatal. Tow was brought to the hospita
In this city by this afternoons trair
from Winona.
The only person besides the tw'
parties to the shooting In the saloon a
the time. was McKune, the proprietor
Il Tow killed u man at Wallula In 1885
and served year In the state peniten
tiary for the crime Of granddaughter
He has wife and family at Rocl
Greek.
Braithwaite tramped from Portland
walking into Winona Friday night
He has no particular trade or calling
and says the last place he worked wa
. in the mines near Baker City, Or.