The herald., 1898-03-16
PREVALENCE OF CRIME
LEADS TO ACTION BY DECENT
CITIZENS
A PROCLAMATION IS ISSUED
Crooks Ordered to Get Out of Town and
the Troops Will Enforce
Obedience
Special to The Herald

| Special to The Herald
VICTORIA, b. c., March 15.-Matters at
Skaguay are rapidly approaching a crisis.
This does not apply to health conditions.
for the epidemic of spinal meningitis ap-
pears to be exciting much less aarm-but
| to the administration Of the town. On
one side are the respectable citizens, sup
ported by recently arrived federal soldiers;
on other, the organized subjects and sup
porters Of "Soapy" Smith. The latter
have lately been setting al! law and order
at defiance; cases of robbery, shooting,
and less serious crimes being of daily oc-
currence.
Sunday night, the 9Th inst, Alex Mclean,
a prominent resident, was sandbagged just
outside of his home. The following morn
ing twelve highway robberies were re-
ported, while from a short distance up the
trail, just beyond the military encamp-
ment, word was received of cold d-blooded
murder. the victim being H. Bean, an IN
bound miner. He had been shot at very
close range, his assassin evidently having
sprung upon him from ambush and thrust
the weapon in his face, which was torn
and powder burned. AS the body was
not robbed, the motive for the crime can
only be guessed.
1t was chiefly these incidents that de-
cided the respectable element that the time
for action had come Citizens, accordingly,
conferred with the infantry officers, and
a week ago this morning posted conspicu-
Gus notices, warning all concerned that
all gambling rooms, ''fiimsy" and sure
thing games must be closed, and that all
Objectionable characters must leave by ]
o'clock the same day.
At the appointed hour two companies Of
infantry appeared on the scene, and, pay
ing no attention to the threats of the
tough element. closed all the Objectionable
places. The roundup was accomplished
with rifles ready, and "Soapy' Smiths
party contented themselves, perforce, with
muttered promises Of future vengeance.
A second conference of officers and citi-
zens' was held soon after, 101 persons being
present, at which 1t was decided to issue
the following proclamation: u,
warning! A Word to the Wise Should
be Sufficient! AL confidence bunko and
sure-thing men and all other Objectionable
characters are notified to leave Skaguay
and White Pass road Immediately, and to
remain away. Failure to comply with this
warning wi :,;bs fopqTen sbx prompt ac-
ftion, .3stgHeD- - E-sz@ 1Ol."
This notice was productive of a meeting
of the opposition faction the same night, at
which dire revenge was threatened, and
the following counter proclamation, draft
ed by "Soapy" Smith himself, adopted:
Warning! The body of men styling
themselves '101' are hereby notified that
any overt act committed by them will
promptly be met by the law-abiding citi-
zens of Skaguay. and each member and his
property will be held responsible for any
unlawful act on their part. and the Law
and Order society, consisting of BIZ citi-
zens, will see that justice is dealt out to
its fullest extent, as no blackmailers or
vigilantes will be tolerated.
"(SigneO THE COMMITTEE"
The '101" have the military behind them,
however. and their leader, Major ]. A.
Strong, does not anticipate even that ex-
treme measures will be necessary IN rid
ding the town of its undesirable popula-
ton. This they are determined to do.
Gambling houses were still closed when
the Islander sailed. No gambling houses
were running anywhere, and the sentries
paced the street. assuring protection to
life and property.
THE SALMON SEASON
SAN FRANCISCO. March 15.-(By AS
ISOLATED Press.) The bark Electra, the
first of the Alaska Packers associations
feet. sailed today for the Alaskan can
neries, taking with her large crowd of
fishermen Among the number were sixty
seven Italians, and about 200 Chinese. The
Alaska Packers association will send
about twenty more vessels to Kodiak and
other fishing points this season. The fleet
has been secured already, and will take a
great many people away from San Fran
cisco, including sailors, workmen for the
canneries and Cinnamon.
NEW DIGGINGS FOUND
PORTLAND, Ore, March 15-Albert J.
Paul. who today returned from Southeast
ern Alaska, states that just before he left
Haines mission a report Of remarkably
rich strike on Long Shorty creek, which
flows into Yukutat bay, was brought down.
The discovery became known through the
disagreement of party that had gone over
to locate all the best claims. The discov-
erer arranged with ten men to go with him
and locate claims where he should desig-
nate on condition that they should sell out
to him for $4,000. One of the men who
had made the agreement refused to stand
by 1t and through him the strike became
known. The new strike Is in American ter
ritory and Paul states large number left
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