Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-04-09
BATTLE,
indians Fight With Knives.
The Battle Resulted From the Theft
Of a Wife.

SPOKANE. April 9.-The blOOdiest
fight in tie history Of Spokane county
took place at al Indian camp three
miles below Spokane, on the bank Of
the Spokane river. The result is that
two Indians are dying from knife
wounds ana two others are in jail.
The tragedy arose from the theft Of
an Indians wife. That was about a
year ago. Que-ton-kin, a Spokane
brave, Of considerable reputation as
marksman and athlete, was much de-
voted to his tawney-hued kloochman,
Maya quita. He faucied that she
was too much admired by the stalwart
John Alexander, member Of the tribe,
One day. at the entrance TO the tele-
phone exchange in the Hazel block,
this city, Que-ton-kin found Alexan-
der and Maq-a-quita 10 close consulta-
tion. The green-eyed monster over
mastered his reason and he went in
for vengeance.
Alexander was severely cut In vital
parts, but rallied sufficiently to ap-
pear 10 court and testify against his
assailant. Que-ton-kin was sentenced
to the penitentiary for one year, and
was released at the expiration OF
eight months, under the rule for COM
mutation on account of good behavior.
Since his return, the Indians say,
Que-ton-kin has repeatedly threatened
to kill Alexander at the earliest fa-
yOrable opportunity. The occasion
occurred at the convention OF the
United States court, when Indian S
were gathering in from all the reser-
vations adjacent to Spokane. Que
ton-kin procured two quarts of whis-
key and invited Alexander TO join
him in social festivities.
The fight was terrific. Indian Mo-
ses is supposed to have supported Que
ton-kin. Indian Louis Savie rushed
in at the thickest of the battle, to
protect his friend, Alexander.
Four keen blades flashed simultane-
ously in the moonlight and the clash
ingof steel was heard above the
shrieks of women, the wailing OF chil'
dren, and the soughing of the wind
through the pine boughs. The scene
judged from accounts given by Indian
oye-wltnesses, was picturesque and
thrilling.
When Que-ton-kin had finished his
work with mis- knife, TO his satisfac-
tion, they say, he put Alexander's IS
head on a stone and battered it with
a rock in his brawny fist, fracturing
the skull in three places and ripping
the scalp open in frightful manner.
Louis was stabbed in. the back +,
under the left shoulder, the blade
penetrating the cavity of the lungs.
Those who saw him said he was
breathing through the wound. He
was taken uptown and to the office of
County Physician Byrne, but he be-
came suspicious and refused to be
treated Alexander was practically
disemboweled and left in camp.
A warrant was sworn out before
Justice Backus for the arrest OF Que
tod-kin and Moses by John Pu-chen,
father of Louis Sayie, accusing them
OF stabbing and killing Louis.
Deputy Sheriff Rutherford, assisted
by Indian Interpreter Nolan, took
Que-ton-kin aud Moses into custody,
They apparently expected this and
made no effort to get away.
The prisoners will be arraigned be-
fore Justice Backus. Inasmuch as
they and their victims are reservation
Indians, there is question as TO
jurisdiction, whether the state or the
federal court has power TO deal with
case OF this character. Justice
Backus stated that he would consider
that matter upon arraignment of
the prisoners. In the meantime the
physician expects 10 investigate the
condition OF the other men.
Catauh Cannot BE Cured