The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1894-08-16
POKER AND PISTOLS.
Winona junction the Scene of
Tragedy.
JAS. TOW FATALLY WOUNDED.
A Game OF Cards In Saloon Ends In a
Row In which James Tow Is Shot
by John McFee Braithwaite

CoLFAX, Aug. l2.--Tho small way
station OF Winona Junction, 25 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 confiic ing.
The meager report received at the
sherill's Office left the particulars in
doubt. Deputy Sheriff Eacho and DR..
&. Nj, Boswell set out last night for
Wiuona and returned at day break with
the man who did the shooting and
with substantial details of the occur
eIcA.
Started by n Poker Game.
james Tow, stock rancher of Rock
Creek, seven miles from Winona, had
come into Winonn, and was drinking
freely at McKune's saloon yesterday.
A hobo, Who gave his name as John
Melee 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 a game of poker
for the drinks. According to Braith-
waite he was losing too regularly, and
cheating him. This was about
o'clock in the afternoon.
II called him down." said Braith-
waite, this afternoon. at 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 puinmeling me. | was no
match for him. Then we separated
for few moments and | noticed Tow
had knife in his hand. The whisk y
that was in US stirred up the wordy
war again and Tow started TO attack
me the second time. imagined that
lie would use his knife, and to protect
myself | snatched out my pistol and
when he made dash at me shot him
in the breast. Then L went out of the
saloon and wandered down the river
where remained till nlghtfall. l was
not trying to escape and l returned tt
the depot at Winona, where the deputy
sheriff found me-"
1t is believed that Braithwaite was
intent on getting away from Winons
on the night freight. Deputy Eacht
arrested him at the depot.
Tow Tells HIS Story.
LOW ShJs DrailuWdite culleu uliu on
scene name s because he was winning
and that he Tow struck him TO
the insult, aud was answered by shot
Braithwaite is evidently hard char
acter. He is about 80 years of age. #,
partially bear out his story both hi
eyes are BACKED and his face otherw is,
shows the signs of the beating lie re
ceived.
Tow was shot through the RICH
lung, the bullet entering between III
third and fourth rib aud passing on
near the point of the shoulder. Tn
wound will, in all probability, prov
fatal. Tow was brought to the hospila
in this city by this afternoons trail
from Winoua.
The only person besides the tw
parties to the shooting in the saloon a
the time. was McKune, the proprietor
Tow killed Il man at Wallula in 1886
and served year in the state peniten
tiary for the crime of manslaughter
He has wife and family ut Roc
Creek.
Braithw waite tramped from Portland
walking into Wlnona Friday night
He has no particular trade or calling
and Gays the last place he worked wa
in the mines near Baker City, Or.