The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1898-01-07
1T WAS DELIBERATE.
Story of Peter French's Murder Told
bv His Brother.

story OF Peter french'S Murder Told
by His Brother.
The body of Peter French, the cattle
king who vas killed by Edward Oliver on
December 26, was embalmed at Baker
City, and shipped TO Red Bluff, Gal.
ifornia, for burial,
Burt French, a brother OF the murder
ed man was in charge OF the remains,
and while in Portland, gave the Ore.
gonian an account Of the billing as fol-
lows:
: at was not matter OF land dispute,
as stated in the papers, said Burt
French. "Oliyer lives on ranch below
what is known as the 'Sodhouse' ranch,
and he had been repeatedly warned to
keep off the company land. My brother
had just returned from Chicago, after do,
liyering SO carloads OF beef cattle, and
he, with myself and several others, were
on the way from the Diamond to the 'P'
or home ranch, when the shooting oc.
Cured. While on our way on horse.
back, we met Oliver. also mounted, and
Pete said to him, have cautionet you
to keep off my Ian 4 Ny brother then
stepped toward me, remarking to Oliver,
I'm drive you otf,
"Oliver ion medately went for his gun
and pulled it out. He pulled the trigger
but it was mie6re, and the sound of the
hammer striking the cartridge caused
Pete to turn around In his saddle. As
he did SO Oliver fred, and the bullet
from his gun struck my. brother in the
left temple and came out at the back Of
his head. Not one Of us was armed.
Pete had only been back couple of
days, and was on his way to the home
ranch to arrange for the foreman to
take lay off. When Oliver eaw the
effect OF his shot he rode rapidly away.
Those who Witnessed the murder were
entirely helpless, and when my brother
fell our first attention was to him.
"He was shot down in cold blood.
Oliver had no ressou to be- on land he
was He could have tagen the road,
but 1t seems az though he was there for
a purpose. After the sheriff had taken
him in custody he said; i would do the
same thing over again, il Ihad chance
| do not know what the result will be.
I am in hopes that Oliver will be tried
outside Of Harvey county, In s1nnsskger or
Grant, as in such case there better
chance for the law to take its jIa fourse.
There is no question as to the .&drder.
My brother was shot down in the pre-.
sence of myself, James 0tage, Dan
Clark aud Others. The body will be
taken to Red Bluff, CAL, and buried
alongside OF his iathcr and mother. We
have sister living there, and she and
| are all tha. are..Ieit Of the family =
The death of Peter French will in no
wise interfere with the business of the
corporation OF which he was president
and manager. Some time ago he trans
ferred all his personal interests in the
same to the company. The company is
now in very fourishing condition,
having about 5000 head Of uattle On
hand. The property is covered with a
mortgage OF Sl2O, 900, but with the land
possessions and personal property on
hand, this will In no wise interfere with
The regular conduct OF it's business,
that never has been more prospectively
prosperous than now.
The body OF Peter French, on its ar
rival in Baker City, was embslmed, and
many Of the friends OF the dead cattle
king took the opportunity to look upon
his face for the last time.