The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-11-12
KLONDIKE JUSTICE.
GOLD HUNTERS LYNCHEO A MAN
WHO STOLE PROVISIONS.


Tho Pitiful Fate OF William q. Martin, of
Missouri-He Had Robbed II Miner of N
Side of Bacon, and the KlondiIsers Made
an Example of Him.
A letter from Juneau, Alaska, tells
of the lynching of William G. Martin
d Missouri for stealing food ut Lake
Bennett.
Martin had sold what he could of his
provisions at Skaguay, abandoned the
remainder, and started in for the Klon-
like with less than a sixty-pound pack
On his back. Being so light" his ar
:lval attracted particular attention
from camps of boatbuilders. His pack
was secretly examined to see how
much grub he had. 1t was noticed that
he had about twenty pounds of bacon
among other things, but no sugar.
Martin camped back on the side of the
hill In the brush alone. He must have
heard how scarce provisions are ex-
pected to be in Dawson City next win
ter. He was suspected and watched,
out it was not still after he had tried to
buy provision.
The second day it was seen that he
had sugar for his coffee, and that
night his pack was uncovered and
side of bacon branded with the private
mark OF one of the campers was found
A poor attempt had been made to OBJ
literate the mark. The investigators
reported the facts to the few campers
who had not yet turned in, and al
though 1t was late, the entire camp
was quietly aroused and Il miners
meeting held. 1t was the general SEN
tlment that an example should be
made of the thief. The question was
put. The reply to the motion was an
instantaneous rising to the feet OF ev-
cry miner, and a crowd of about sixty
determined men E:oved off into the
brush, in the direction where Martins
dying campfire could be seen dimly
ilickering. Martin was asleep. He
was unrolled roughly from his blan-
kcts and stood blinking on his feet
I'VE stand no stealing in this camp.
Your time has come" Martin was told.
He started to speak, but said nothing,
and stood trembling from head to foot.
DO you want to leave a message to
your friends?" he was asked.
No. said the man on the brink of
the grave.
DO you want to pray?"
NO, said Martin.
IF there is anything you want to
say. say it quick" SAID the spokes-
man.
a slipknot had been made at the end
Of long painter o. the boat, and the
Moose Yves put over Martins head
Boys" said Martin, with falter-
ing voice, you know how 1t is when
man has mortgaged his all, starts for
the Klondike, and secs that he cant get
there. If | am not hanged my life is
not worth much to me anyhow I've
got 1000 pounds of stuff at Skaguay,
and I'll promise on my life to carry it
in here for you"
Enough of that. 1t would not save
you If the stuff was here
Martin was half dragged down to the
shore of the lake. 1t took less than
two minutes to lash two slender pines,
dressed for maSts, in n forked upright,
and drop another mast from the rock
on the bluff over between the forks
May / write a message. boys?"
asked Martin.
BE quick about It," was the an
swcr.
Poor Martin took letter from his
pocket and kissed It. Then he tore it
up, saving only the back of the envel-
ope, stopped, pulled off his rubber
boots, and, placing the paper on the
sole Of one, wrote in darkness the fol-
lowing in a dim and trembling hand:
Hoping that with the money |
might make in the Klondile, sacrifice
would go out the door and love return
through the window, left you. Kiss
Ted, but never tell him. (Signed) Gid"
lii the morning Martins body was
seen turning first one way and then
back, Ike a kettle dangling over
fire, his hands tied behind him with
pack strap. On the other half of the
envelope which Martin tore in two
were his name and the postmark ST.
Louis.