The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-09-19
LYNCHINa A K1oNDIKE TH1EF
Tho Gold Hunters Hanged n Man who stole
Provisions.

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. IA letter from
Juneau. under date Of Sept. 6. tells of the lynch
Ing of William g. Mart N OF Missouri for steal
ing food at Lake Bennett. The tragedy oc-
CURED on Sept. 3.
Martin had sold what he could OF his pro-
visions at Skaguay. abandoned the remainder
and started in for the Klondikc with less than a
siXty-pound pack on his back. Being 80 light
his arrival attracted particular attention from
camps Of boatbuildcrs. His pack was secretly
examined TO sec how much grub he had. 1t was
noticed that he had about twenty pounds OF
bacon among other things, but no sugar. Mar
tin camped back on the side of the hill in tho
brush alone. He must have heard how scarce
next winter. lie was suspected and Watched.
but 1t was not till after he had tried to buy pro-
visions,
The second day it was seen that he had sugar
for his coffee. and that night his pack was un-
covered and aside of bacon branded with the
private mark Of one of the campers was found.
A poor attempt had been made to oblitcratc the
marx. The investigators reported the facts to
and. although it was late. the entire camp was
quietly arou ed and q miners meeting held. 1t
was tnS &c Gral sent ment that an example
put. The reply TO tho motion was an insta ta-
noous rising to the feet OF every miner. and q
into tho brush, in the direction where Martins
dying campfire could be seen dimly rickerinE.
from his blankets and stood blinking on his feet.
tlnc nus come, Martin was told. lie started
to speak, but said nothing. and stood trembling
from head to foot.
DO you want to leave u message to your
friends = he was asked.
NO" said the man on the brink Of the grave.
do you want TO pray T.
NO" said Martin.
III there is anything you want to say, say it
quick, said the spokesman.
A slipknot had been made at the end Of a long
painter of the boat, and the moose was put over
Martins head.
"Hoys." said Martin. with faltering voice,
" you know how IL is when n man has mort
gagged his all, starts for the klondikc. and sees
that no cant get there. II ! am not hanged my
lie is not worth much 10 ne anyhow. Two got
promise on my iifc To carry It In here for YOU"
Enough OF that, 1t would not save you II
the. stun was here
Martin was half.draggcd down to the shore OF
the lake. 1t took less than two minutes to lash
two slender pines, dressed for masts, in n fOrked
OIL the bluff over between the forks.
tin.
Be quick about it, was the answer.
Poor Martin took a letter from his pocket and
kissed IL. Then he tore 1t up, saving only the
PACK OF the envelope, stopped, pulled off his rub.
Der boots. and, placing the paper on the sole OF
one, wrote in darkness the following In a dim
and trembling hand:
"Hoping that with the money Knight make in
the klondikc. sacrifice would go out the door
ana love return through the window. l left you.
Hiss Ted, but never tell him. lSignedl GID"
In the morning Martins body was seen turn.
ing first one way and then back. like n kettle
dangling over "a lire. his hands tied behind him
with a pack strap. On the other half OF the en-.
velope which Martin tore in two were his name
and the postmark ~, Louis,