The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-03-16

Peter Clancy Bean. OF Williams, Cal.
was brutally murdered Monday, March Z.
on the frozen surface Of the Skagway
river six miles up in me hills II is sup
posed that the murder was committed by
foe. pads, with robbery as a motive.
They were evidently frightened away
before they had completely searched the
body, for some 500 was found on the re-
mains.
The officers have been unable TO find
any trace of the murdereEs. although they
have been on the trail since the killing
Was reported Tuesday morning. The news
OF the murder was brought to this city
yesterday by David Falkner, of Califor-
MIA. who came down on the steamer Isl
ander.
Early on the morning of March Bean
started out of Skagway with the first in-
stalment of big outfit which he intend
ed 10 sledge across the White pass he
tad 10 pounds on the sled. He took the
customary route up the river and over
the ice. Before evening he had drawn his
sled to the first stopping place. which is
known as Porcupine hill
He unloaded the sled, cached his sup
plies. and after eating a lunch started
down the river about O'Clock, drawing
his empty sled. \ terrible Storm was rag
Ing AT the time Bean started out- Ii Was
very dark and a bitter. icy gale was blow
ing down the river. He was in a hurry
hat n
make an early start, and did not heed
those al the hill who counseled him to
remain there over night.
An hour later "A packer coming un the
river came upon Beans dead body living
beside the empty sled. The snow and ice
was dyed bright red from the blood
which had flowed from Ss-caliber bullet
wound through his left breast. Ills face
Was powder burned. and his open pocket
book lay near the body. giving mute tes-
iimony as 10 the motive of the murder
There appeared 10 he no trace of the
murderers. and the packer went on TO the
camp at the hill.
The body WAS taken 10 Porcupine hill.
and the next morning the news was
brought TO Skagway.
United States Marshal MctnnIs went
out after the body. He found 500 ard a
draft for 500 or a Seattle bank in a nelt
fastened around the body. In an inside
pocket was sSi.so ia change ard d miners
license from the Canadian government.
the blood marks s,in showed plainly on
the Icy trail. The poin. ~ whicA the
murder WAS committed. according 10 Mar
shall McInnjs. VAS six miles from Skas-
way and 4 mile from Porcupine hill. His
version ot the murder Is that Bean was
held up by one or more hiShwaymen. lie
probably attempted to resist and as re-
sal; Was shot. The men We're evidently
very close TO him as IS shown by the pow
der marks on his face.
I. : believed that i've sAotS we're fred
ARD .hat the one fred With the revolver
close - BcaU head missed the mark but
let1 powder barns
The scene ~ the murder j. one OF the
lonel!est spots on ;he trait snd 10 one was
camping ,r the immediate vicinity. No
shafts were heard ard there s. no suspicion
as 80 ,ae tden.l,s ot he murderer-
They are probably from the ranks ~ the
hundreds of desperate men vho hang
around SkaSnay's tens Of vice
peaa aas ahout .hsr,S give years # axe
h}e fees 'en and haI< inches ju aslSas
ard Weighed l-o pounds Ho asd oeea 's
SasSway hat a ia DAYS and has friends
say was very careful not 80 show any g