The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-15
POKER AND PISTOLS.
Winona Junction the Scene of
Tragedy.
JAS. TOW FATALLY WOUNDED
A Game Of Cards In . Saloon Ends In 8
Row In which James Tow 10 Shot
by John McFee Braith waite.

CoLFAx, Aug. 1.-THE small way
station Of Winona 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 conflicting.
The meager report received at the
sheriff7s Office left the particulars in
doubt. Deputy Sheriff Eacho aud DR..
e. NJ, Boswell set out last night for
Winona and returned at day break with
the man who did the shooting and
with substantial details of the occur
el.c..
Started by . Poker Game.
James Tow, a stock rancher Of Rock
Creek. seven miles from Winona, had
come into Winoua, and was drinking
freely at .McKune's saloon yesterday.
A hobo, who gave his name - John
McFee Braithwai'e. and who gives All
unsatisfactory account OF himself, was
also there INDUCING In liquor. The
men were both very much intoxicated
when they engaged In game Nofpokel
for the drinks. According to Braith.
waite he was losing too regularly, and
he suddenly concluded that Tow was
cheating him. This was about z
o'clock in the afternoon.
II called him down." said Brailli.
waite. this afternoon. :, at the jail,
land We got into quarrel
of words. We were both drunk.
Tow IL bigger man than me,
and he rushed at me all Of q sudden
and began pummeling me. 1 was nc
match for him. Then we separated
for few moments and noticed Tow
had a knife In his hand. The whisky
that was In Us stirred up the wordy
war again and Tow started to attach
ne the second time. I imagined that
lie would use his knife, and to protec,
myself snatched out my pistol and
when he made q dash at me shot him
in the breast. Then went out Of the
saloon and wandered down the river
where remained till nightfalL 1 wal
not trying to escape and I returned Il
the depot at Winona, where the deputy
sheriff found me-" :
It Is believed that Braithwaite wa!
intent on getting away from Winons
on the night freight. Deputy Each<
arrested him at the depot.
Tow Tells H . Story.
Tow says Braithwaite called him OBJ
scene names because he was winning
and that he (Tow) struck him TO
the insult, and was answered by shot
Braithwaite Is evidently hard char
acter. He Is about 80 years of age. II
partially bear out his story both hi
eyes are BACKED and his face otherwis,
shows the signs Of the beating he re
ceived.
Tow was shot through the RICH
luag, the bullet entering between tn
third and fourth rib and passing GU
near the point of the shoulder. Thl
wound will, in all probability, prov
fatal. Tow was brought to the hospita
in this city by this afternoons trair
from Winona. /:
The only person besides the twt
parties to the shooting in the saloon q
the time. was McKune, the proprietor
Tow killed q man ut WalluIa in 1885
and served year in the state peniten
tiary for the crime Of manslaughter.
He has q wife and family at Rocf
Creek.
Braithwaite tramped from Portland
walking into Winona Friday night
He has no particular trade or calling
aud says the last place he worked was
in the mines near Baker City, Or.