Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1897-09-17
LiNCHiNd OF AN ALASKA
GRIlR NIEAIlER

| N'1hA ~ - - ~ iAtI IA
A letter from Juneau, under
date OF September 6, tells of the
lynehing Of William Il. Martin, of
Missouri, for stealing food at Lake
Bennett. The tragedy occurred
on Sept. Ord.
Martin had sold what he could of
his provisions AT Skaguay, ahan'
doned the remainder and started in
f'r the klondlke with less than u
! 90 pound pack on his haek. DO
ing 50 Eight his arrival attracted
particular attention from camps Of
boat builders. His paok was sec.
tetly examined to see how much
grub he had 1t was noticed that
| he had about 20 pounds Of bacon
among other things, but no sugar
Martin camped back on the side OF
a hill in the brush alone. He must
have heard how scarce provisions
are expected to be in Dawson CITY
next winter
The second day il was seen that
he had sugar for his coffee and that
night his pack was uncovered aud
a side of bacon, branded with the
private mark of one of tho camp.
ers, found, A poor attempt had
been made to obIiterate the mark,
The investigators reported the facts
to the few campers who had not
yet turned 10, aud although il was
late the entire camp WAS quietly
aroused and miners meeting
held. IL was the general senti.
inent that m example should be
made Of the thief, The question
was put. The reply to the motion
was an instantaneous rising to the
feet OF every miner, and n crowd of
nbnnt sixty determined mon moved
eff into lhe brush, ~ the direction
where Martins dying camp fro
could be seen dimly hickering.
Martin WINS asleep. He was un-
rolled roughly from his blankets
blinking on his feet.
1--WE stand no stealing in this
camp. Your time has come"
Martin was toll, lie started to
speak, bat said nothing, and stood
trembling from head to foot.
"Do you want to leave n message
to your triends?" he wus asked.
No" said the man ON the brink
OF the grave.
"Do you want to pray?"
"No," said Martin.
"lf there is anything you want
to say, say it quick" said the
spokesman.
A shpknot had been made at the
end of long painter of the boat,
aud the moose was put over Mar.
TINS head.
Boys" said Martin, with falter.
ing voice, "you know how It 10
when man has mortgaged his all
starts for the K!oudise and soes
that he can't get there. II ] am
not lung my life is not worth
much anyhow. I've got 1000
pounds of stuff at Skaguay. and I'll I
promise on my life to carry il in
here for you "
Enough Of that. Ii would not !
= We You if the stuff was here"
Mnrtln was half dragged down to
the shore of the lake,
MAY write "A message, boys?"
nsked Martin.
I" BE qniek about it," was the
answer.
poel Martin took letter from
bis pocket and kissed it. Then be
tore II up. saving only the back of
tho envelope, stopped, pulled off
bis rubber boots, and, placing The
paper on the sole Of ona, wrote in
darkness the following in dim
and trembling hand:
Hoping that with the money |
might make in the klondike, encri.
fee wonld go ont the door and love
return through the window, / 1T
you- Kiss Ted, hut never tell him.
{ (Slgned) GIp.'
Ia the morning Martins body
was seen turning 6rst one way and
hen back, like kettle dangling
,ver fire, bis hands tied behind
lin with a pack strap On the
,ther half - tie etveloie which
Martin tare ia two were hls namo
.nd tbe postmsrk 81 louis.