The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-23
MURDERED BY Indians.
BLOOD CURDLING STORY OF FATE
OF THE JESSIE EXPEDITION.
IL the Report Is True Seattle Pros
pecfors Were Saved From kus-
kokwim's Cruel Waters Only to
Meet n Worse Fate-NOne Spared.

PORT TOWNSEND. Nov. "a blood
eurdiing tale comes from the north. that
the passengers and crew of the steamer
Jessie, wrecked last June while trying 10
enter the mouth Of n kushowkim river.
towing the barge Minerva, were murdered
and robbed by Indians after reaching sn0re,
instead of being drowned as reported.
The Jessie was a small steamer fitted
out by company 10 prospect the kuskow-
kim river in Western Alaska She left Sc
attic in the latter part OF May on the barge
Admiral, which was lowed TO the mouth OF
the kuskowkim river by the steamer LAX
me. The Jessie was launched on the south
ern side or the mouth Of the river and from
there. with her own barge Minerva, made
an attempt 10 enter the kuskcwkim.
The channel is very crooked and treacher-
Gus and Mr.. Wehber, a Moravian mission
airy who Joined the party at Dutch Har-
Dor. being familiar with the channel. agreed
TO act as pilot AS the Jessie reached the
mouth Of the river a severe storm came up
and the little craft was thrown on the
beach. together with the barge. On the
Minerva was an Indian who reported at
Bethel. late in July. that the entire party
excepting himself was drowned.
Such was not the case according 10 the
statement Of r Malakoff. who is just from
Nunivak island, about 100 miles north OF
the mouth of the kuskowkim river. He
says that just before he left Nunivak ISL
and the Indian wife Of a hunter and trader
named Marsten returned to Nunivak from
kuskowkim. where she had been visiting
relatives, and reported that when the
steamer and barge went ashore in the
breakers large number of Indians We're on
the beach and rendered assistance in get
ing the whites ashore and IN saving the
supplies from the barge
After being comfortably camped the In.
dams demanded the larger portion of the
supplies as payment for their services in
saving lives and property. which, accord
ing to the Indian womans story, was re-
fused. A consultation was held by the IN
dams. who decided TO kill the party and di-
vide the spois. A few nights later while
all were asleep. the Indians made rush
on the camp, killing the entire party of
eighteen, including Missionary Weber, his
wife and child.
The Marsten woman further stated that
during her visit there, after the massacre
the Indians were having a feast, and many
of them became very drunk. a quarrel
ensued over the possession of some arti-
cies taken from the murdered people. 4
few days after the feast she made inquiries
of an old Indian woman. who claimed that
she was opposed TO numbering the ship
wrecked crew. but was threatened with
death II she gave warning to the whites
man said, were stripped OF clothing and
valuables, then taken IN canoes to a con-
siderable distance from shore and thrown
into the sea Several bodies came ashore
near the mouth OF the kuskowkim but
We're in an advanced state of decomposi-
ton. The Indians were wearing the cloth
ing and jewelry belonging to the unfortun-
ate gold seekers.
Malakoff's story is confirmed by letter
received by Messrs. Barneson Il Chiicott
from Marsten.
The expedition consisted of fifteen men in
command OF Capt. Murphy. fitted out for
two years prospecting trip on the Kus-
kowkim river. Missionary Weber. wife
and child Joined the expedition at Dutch
Harbor and were on their way TO the scene
OF their missionary work at some point on
kuskowkim river
Marsten, in his letter to Barneson & Chill
colt. who owned an interest in the Jessie
asks an investigation and says that the In
dams on the kuskowkim are becoming very
insolent They claim that section as their
hunting and fishing grounds ard do not
want whites 10 trespass, and threaten 10
make trouble for all prospectors who At
tempt to prospect the river.