The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-21
rHIEf LESCHI'S FATE.
I. Contemporary Account of
His Murders.
~roay or CAPTURE AND TRIAL
,scueer Newspaper Tells or His Ar.
rsss-Evfdence at His Trial
Jury Disagreed.
<roey OF CAPTURE AND TRIAL

- history OF 1n-ei l<escm ara the COM
.nscatson from Col. g. o. Halter ques-
s.salzrs have brought 70 light a
.ssy Of the Pioneer and Democrat, a
ssner published in Olympia by ]. ".
| RI and dated November 3. 1856, con-
.ssrsnr the particulars OF his crimes and
: - capture and trial. The character
s,.ss Of the warrior as set forth are said
: s accurate. The article follows:
sxsoring that there would be a multi
.,ssfv of contradictory statements put In
srru;arson with regard to the capture and
- OF the notorious Leschi. the acored-
80 leader and ruling spirit among the
herrEe Indians In the war on this side OF
| - mountains. as also many pervsrs.ons
= ruth connected with the surrender
ed killing OF Qylemufh. half brother OF
fxx.sa. and the repute6 murderer OF lieut.
lanes McAllister. of Capt. Eaton's COM
sany OF rangers, which occurred over a
- ago we have taken some trouble 20
seertain the facts in both cases, and are
"a 70 believe that what follows Is mainly
street.
sLeschi with a, very few followers. had
fsr some time been seciudedly sncamped on
~ upper Nisqually. and on Thursday, the
fsh inst, per arrangement, two Indians.
guxxy and E-h-kuk- ah, having ascer-
tasnsa his whereabouts. visited his camp.
Nssy remaining short time, they de-
eyed him of some distance. TO the place
xsers they had secured their horses. when
t5<y sslddenly bounced upon, bound him
and placing him on one Of the horses. car
od him that night a captive to Stella
sesnl where he vas delivered over 20 Mr.
fs Ford, r. who for some time previous
bad In charge the making OF arrangements
% bring about his apprehension. Next
esy the i4th) Mr. Ford arrived here with
Is prisoner and surrendered him 70 Coy.
EtsTens
"A, this time the regular term OF the
Trtsd States district court OF Pierce
ecunty had been brought 10 a close: but
q Judge chenoweth had not then left for
lis home In Island county, Gov. Stevens
Immediately sent an express 10 him at
ee.!acoCm informing him OF the capture
Il Leschi. and suggesting 20 him the pro-
yysty Of calling a special term Of court in
oder that he might have his trial at once
no murders having been laid to his
charge In this, Thurston county. With
sass Judge Chenoweth chaerfully COM
r.sed; and on the 18th Leschi was re-
nzn3ed to Steilacoom. and on Monday.
shA nth, his trial was commenced and
concluded. The case was submitted, the
tsry charged and retired at o'clock in
re evening: and after a consultation OF
dss hours being unable to agree upon a
verdict. WERE discharged. IL is understood
10. nine OF the Jury were in favor OF con-
vsctlon and three for acquittal.
The indictment found against Leschi
vas for tho murder Of Col. a. r. Moses,
on the s1st OF October. 1866. who. II Is well
remembered by our citizens. in company
with Mr. Joseph Miles (who was muir
dsTed on the same day.. Messrs. A. Il.
Rabbeson Tidd, Bright, Bradley and Dr.
Burns, were on their way in with an ex-
press from the commands OF Capts. Hayes,
Maoney and Slaughter. who were then re-
crossing the Cascade mountains.
u s. Smith. esq. and Frank Clark. esq,
conducted the prosecution. and II. II.
crosbie, ESQ. and William III. Wallace.
esq. appeared for the defense Both
SIDES, we are told. were ably argued. and
no disposition was manifested TO take I'M
due advantage of the prisoner by opposing
counsel. The only evidence adduced in
any wsv favorable TO Leschi. was that OF
Or. Tonne (chief factor OF the Hudson
Bay Company at Fort Nisquaily) and the
Indian Snggy. Or. Tolmie testified that
previous to the breaking out OF the war.
leschi was and always had been. good
Indian friendly 70 the Bostons. etc.
slaggy testified that he was present when
Moses and Miles were killed. and that he
knew, at that time, Leschi was on the
other side OF the Cascades. This evidence,
We believe. had little weight with the jury,
As Il Is well known that he Oeschi), was
IN Olympia on the 9th or 2sth of October,
and those murders were committed on the
list Of that month.
The evidence on the part of the prose-
eat1on was positive. and with the excep-
tons as above stated that OF the defense
faFy corroborated that Of the prosecution
throughout. Not one OF the witnesses
that was examined, with the exceptions
referred 20. expressed doubt as 70 the
grit OF the prisoner as charged.
The evidence OF A. Il. Rabheson. ESQ.
vas conclusive and TO the point. lie tes-
tiled that on the slSt OF October. lass. the
DAY on which the party were attacked.
aud Messrs. Moses and Miles were muir,
cered Ne saw Ieschi Quiemuth and an
ether Indian issue from the brush and take
sposst.on on the rad in front OF him. at a
distance OF not 10 exceed th3rty-hve or
forty feet: that then and there lseshci de-
feeraiely leve'eti his gun at him and fired;
thai Immediately afterward either Quie-
mash or the other Indian fired that he
had known Leschi for years. and could
nos Re mistaken IN identifying him. This
s precisely what Mr.. Rabbescn has stated
On al occasions from first TO last since the
numerous encounter the party 20 which
he belonged received from the hostile In
dams over one year ago.
The failure OF the fury TO agree UPON a
verdict. with the character or the evitence
before them. we are informed. created gen.
eras surprise. The attorneys for the pris-
oaer expressed no doubt but ne would be
eonvctei and merely lahored 20 dis
Charge a duty imposed upon them profess
sasafly and Judge Cheuowcth - SAID 20
have heen as.onishe8 when. on concluding
rs charge. be was informed that II was
seosssary % clear the court room, expect
ne that verdict OF guilty would be pro-
neuncea from the Jury box.
X r. not our business 20 question the
motives % those that hung the Jury. IL Is
tae opinion OF some with whom we have
e0aveTsed tha, Nat they been detained
n1t3 morning they would have brought N
verdict OF guilty Others incline 20
fa'nk that repugnance 10 capital punish
nsnt had souaethsn 20 90 IN preventing
a agreement. and not the existence or
ssv doubts ~ tAe prisoners guilt. whilst
e,aers aver that s. was the determination
= those that hunS tho Jury that leSc N
Neusd not be pronounced guilty. lei me
ssaae-sce have been what 4t might against
ksm
He Is now kent in close connrerent n
hs guard house OF Fort S,eilacccTn -
AVA \ further trial a. tha next term of
ne district court 81 either this place or
ccvelarsi
We learn trat there are a number or
s.asr Indictments found against hini-one
~ tae grand tury % King county. Tor nav
20 aeen engaged n the massacre or The
s@-ssaees On White river last fall Or white
4 Lucky Escape.
De Drufisr rapegci.
hoapner. the E2mekeeper. arrived home
s.ssn the Inn a. 4 e. ~. lie Was IN the at
% UNDRESSING n hass his xxffs awohSc and