The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-27
william Mehan, Of Juneau, Killed
in His Boat.
ON The m'CLINToCK RIVER.
~.~x, White Man Murdered by the
nd. since the Gold Rash BeEan
gufIet Pierced Ills Heurf-Hts
eomuanion. Cox, Dangerously
woanaed-siurderer Now Inder
s.unrd mt Lake Marsh, Confess.

w.iaani MeAsn. o. Juneau. Is the first
alta raa 70 meet death at the hands CT
..zskz Indians sszc-e the rush to the gold
assas q The North commenced last July.
~ US shot a. rs boat while coming
soxr, the McC.intsck river two weeks ago
~ ,go suck Indians. His companion.
MAJ ramed Cox, was severely injured
nat managed 10 reach a station or the
unlimited police twelve miles away and
rscoyt the murder
Yae police a. once started for the In
daa camp AID arrested the two Indians
s.ter eoasldera bic trouble. Taey are now
Aasaer guard az Lake Marsh. Both In
asrs. /; Is said. have confessed.
The deta s II ;he murder we're brought
"a Seattle yesterday by The steamer Cot
age CITY Meaan and Cox had been work
IN for soGae title On tAe bars Of the
Ncg.iaiocA river ard had found some good
prospects. About two weeks ago they
roi.cs4 a hand Of Sick Indians proving
sfoura thesr camp. Their Intentions were
3 evidently hostile and the TWO prospectors
decided 10 go 10 Lake Marsh and report
,he matter 10 the mounted police.
They loaded sheir effects into a small
teas and started down the river. After
sclrg saert distance two Indians sud
1ssiy appeared Oh the bank. They were
a-asd With rifles. Both took hurried aim
and fired Al the prospectofs. Mellan Was
shot through the heart and died without
altering word. Cox received Il dangerous
wsan3 IN the breast
He paGi.ed the boat 10 the opposite
s6srs and started through the woods 10
The police station on Lake Marsh. His
wound troubled him greatly. but he man
aged to cover the twelve miles to the
pstcs sta Jon. lie reported the murder 10
tie officer IN charge and after receiving
meiieaA attention started back accom-
panied By a detachment OF police. They
found the boat moored TO the bank but
ashan's body aud all OF their effects were
missing.
The police party then went 10 the Indian
camp a short distance up the McCiintaek.
TIE Indians denied any knowledge OF the
crime st first. but on being threatened
with arrest produced the men who had
eene the shooting. The pair confessed the
eftins and were compelled 10 accompany
the officers back 20 Lake Marsh. Some OF
the pfespectofs' effects were found In
camp. the Indians having divided them.
The two murderers kept the greater part.
They would not say what disposition they
had made NJ Mehaa's body. IL - presum-
cd that II MAS thrown into the river.
II will probably never be recovered.
Cox was still a.ive at last accounts and
bang cared for at the police station on
isks Marsh The wound IN his breast
ss dangerous one. but he has "a far
Glance Of recovery.
This = the first serious difficulty that
iAe se.d seekers have had with the inter-
ss- ini.aus since the rush started last
year after the arrival of tho steamer
Partland from ST. Michael. The motive OF
The crime was undoubtedly robbery. The
ialans along the MeCsirtock river have
navsr been friendly and, although they
don't wash the sod themselves. they OBJ
Scr 20 white men working the PAGERS. II
Il probable that a detachment OF police
! viii be sent mp the river and the Indians
taught lesson that they VIII not soon
forget.
Tire officers or the mounted police had a
hard Sob on their hands To keep the In
dsns from being strung up. There IL a
large number Of prospective kiondlkers
saeaspe0 on Lake Marsh ard they wanted
70 lynch tce pair According 70 las, re
ports they were still m the hands or fhe
rsl.es,