The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-06
They WANT MARTIAL LAW
Criminals Are Flocking to Dyea
and Skaguay.
MORE TROOPS ASKED FOR
A Brutal Double Murder at Skaguay
Deputy United States Marshal
Shot Down by the Proprie-
tor of a Dive.

Skaguay, Jan. 81. via Seattle, Feb. 5.
A petition is being circulated here
and at Dyea, asking the war depart
ment to send 300 troops here, that law
and order may be preserved. The pc
tition also asks that martial law be de-
clared. The petition is being signed by
nearly all the best element. 1t reads as
follows:
ITO the Honorable Secretary of War,
Washington, ID. G.:
I'VE. the undersigned citizens and
business men of Alaska, respectfully
petition and set forth
That there is an extraordinary con-
dition of affairs existing at and near
Dyea and Skaguay. Alaska. which calls
for prompt attention from the proper
authorities.
AS result of the recent discoveries
of gold in and near Dawson City, n. w.
T., Canada, during the past two years
there is an enormous rush of people
to that country from all parts of the
world. and 1t is estimated that there
will be 250,000 people start for the gold
fields of Alaska and Northwest Terri
tory, Canada, during the present year,
and not less than 70 per cent will at
tempt to get in by way of the Chilkoot
and White passes. Even at this early
day the full capacity of every steam
and sailing ship on the Pacific coast is
taxed to its utmost capacity to carry
the passengers and freight that is be-
ing offered, and they are being dumped
off at these two points to the number of
300 day, which will soon be largely
increased.
In view of the fact that there is no
civil government i'll the territory of
Alaska, and no one with sufficient au-
thority to enforce the laws of the land
much less to prevent crime and disor-
der, and in view of the large number
of the undesirable and criminal classes
who are now flockng to our commun-
ity TO prey upon the unwary and inno-
cent pilgrim, and in order to have some
one with sufficient authority and suf-
ticient numbers to prevent disorder and
blockades on the trails leading to Lakes
Linderman and Bennett, and to pro-
tect the property of citizens of the
United States;
I'VE, the undersigned, petition that
immediate action be taken by the prop
er authorities; and believing this to be
an extraordinary emergency we believe
that martial law should be declared in
all this part of Alaska comprising the
communities of Dyea and Skaguay
and the trails leading therefrom to the
international boundary; and that suf-
ficient troops, not less than 300, be inn
mediately dispatched to these points TO
enforce the laws and preserve order"
1t is stated that Governor Brady will
order one of the government cruisers
now stationed at Sitka to this place to
preserve order. The cutter will arrive
in a few DAYS.
Good prospects have been found on
the Big Salmon river. Prospect holes
have been sunk to the depth of A. feet
but water interfered, with the work be-
fore bedrock was reached.
The recent order ba Canadian
customs officials at Lake Tagish pro-
hibiting any person from passing there
with less than 1000 pounds of provi-
sions for each man, has had the effect
of stopping many people who had
started for Dawson with less than
that amount.
A double murder occurred here at 2
O'Clock this morning. Deputy United
States Marshal J. NJ. Rowen formerly
city marshal of Mount Vernon. Wash,
and Andrew McGrath. a native of Con-
cord Ont. We're shot and killed in Jake
Rice's variety theater by Ed Fay. a
bartender. FAY is being guarded by
committee of citizens. Tomorrow he
Will be tried by a committee of II per-
sons. Judicial forms will be followed
as closely as possible. II lis the gen
eral opinion that If found guilty Fay
will he hanged The theater has been
closed by the citizens. The murder had
sad sequel in tho death of Rowcn's
wife and child. which was born short
time previous to the murder of it's
father. Rowen was on his way TO OBJ
tain medical assistance for his wife
when the shooting occurred. The
shooting grew out Of a brawl i'm which
McGrath was a participant. He be-
came involved in A quarrel with one Of
the female attaches OF the theater
whom he accused of stealing $40 from
his pocket. Rice. the proprietor Of the
place. and number of heelers. II is
alleged, jumped on McGrath. innictinE
several wounds in the back of his head.
Mccirath escaped and went out of the
place TO get a gun. He met United
States Deputy Marshal Eowen and told
him his story. Rowen started TO Rice's
place with McGrath, the latter enter
ing the house first. Rowen followed.
When McGrath entered the house he
immediately took off his coat and
struck Fay with his fist. Fay immedi-
ately drew his revolver and fired. the
bullet striking McGrath in the groin
He dropped 10 a chair without "A word.
Rowen turned To pull his revolver from
his hip pocket. when a ay fired again,
the bullet striking Rowen i'm the stom-
ach. Rowen reeled but did not fail.
and reached the street. where e friend
found him and took him to DR. Moore's
office, a block distant. where he died
nf internal hemorrhage two hours
later.
The shooting in the theater woke m
a sleeping man named Jones. who drew
his revolver and began To shoot indis-
cTiminately. \ bullet from his revol-
Yer went through both OF Hi La
mont's thighs. inflicting slight wounds
Fay claims IN justification of the muir
der that he acted IN e1f-defenSe. as
McGrath went out Of the saloon 10 get
gun.