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.
rsrst white Man MurdeSea ~ the
Reds since the Gold Rash Began
-8uIlet Pierced His HeaFt-His
Companion. Cox, Dangerously
wouuaed-Muraerer New Cnaep
Guard at Lake Marsh, C0ufsss.

WITHIN aehsns OF Juneau. - the drst
wa..s man 10 inset Death a. tie hanos OF
Alaska Indians since the rush To the god
atldg OF the North commenced last July.
He was saot e his boat while coming
6cxu tas MeCIlniack river TWO weeks ago
sv Two Stick Indians. His companion,
= man named Cox. was severely injured
nut managed to reach q station OF the
nounted police twelve miles away and
report the murder.
TIE police at once started for the In
dian camp and arrested the two Indians
after considerable trouble. They are now
uuaer guard at Lake Marsh. Both In
dams, Il Is said. have confessed
The details Of the murder were brought
70 Seattle yesterday by tina steamer Cot
tase City MeEaa and Cox had been work.
.ar for some time On the bars or the
AcciIEtock river and had found some good
prospects. About TWO Weeks ago they
rat:ced a band OF Stick Indians proving
around their camp Their Intentions were
evidently hostile and the two prospectors
decided 10 90 10 Lake Marsh and report
tie matte. to the mounted pol.cs-
They loaded their effects into a small
xosng Il short distance two Indians sud-
6ssly appeared on the bank. They were
armed with rifles. Both took hurried aim
and fired al the prospectoIs. MehAn Was
sho. through the heart and died w.thous
rssering q word Cox received a dangerous
wound in the breast.
He padded the boat to the opposite
sAars and started Through tho woods 20
ina police station on Lake Marsh. His
.ia.A hi hz
aged TO cover the twelve miles 10 the
police. station. He reported the murder to
the officer IN charge and after receiving
medical attention started back accom-
panied by a detachment or police. They
found the boat moored 10 the bank but
Mehan's body and all Of their effects were
missing.
Tho police party then went TO the Indian
camp short distance up the Mccliutock.
The Indians denied any knowledge OF the
crime e. first, but on being threatened
with arrest produced the men who had
done the shooting. The pair confessed the
crime and were compelled 10 accompany
the officers back TO Lake Marsh. Some OF
the prospectors' effects were found in
camp. tho Indians having divided them.
The two murderers kept the greater part.
They would not say what disposition they
had made of Mehan's body. 1t 3 presume
II viii probably never DO recovered.
Cox was still alive at last accounts ana
being cared for AT the police station on
Lake Marsh. The wound IN his breast
Is dangerous one, but he has a far
chance Of recovery.
This - the first serious difficulty that
the gold seekers have had with the inter-
Tor Indians since the rush started last
year after the arrival OF tho steamer
Portland from g. M.chae, The motive OF
the crime was undoubtedly robbery. The
Indians along - McClintock river have
never been friendly and, although they
dent wash the gold themselves. they oh
jeet 10 white men working the PAGERS. 1t
Is probable that a detachment OF police
viii 30 sent up the river and the Indians
taught a lesson that they VIII not soon
forget.
Tho officers OF the mounted police had a
hard Job en- their hands 10 keep the In
dams from being strung un. There Is a
large number OF prospective kiondlkers
sneamped on Lake Marsh and they wanted
10 lynch the pair. Accor4laE 20 last re-
ports they were stiii In tho hands OF thu
police.