The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1898-02-06
| q. ). Marshal Rowan and Andrew Nc
Grath Killed by Bartender
PETITION FOR MARTIAL LAW
Three Hundred Troops Wanted to rressy
LsN-Rsyenue Cater Ordered There
to Keep the reace.

skagway Alaska. Jan 81. via Seattle.
Feb. "a petition b being circulated
here and at Dyea asking the war depart
men, to send 800 troops here that law
and order may be- preserved. The pei.
ton also asks that martial law be- de-
clared Tue petition Is being signed by
rysarly all Of tbs best element. 1t says:
In view Of the fact tina, there Is no
local civil government In the territory OF
Alaska and no one with sufficient author
hy % enforce the laws OF the hnd, much
less TO prevent crime and disorder. and
IN view of this Large Number OF undesir-
able and criminal class who are now
nocktg 10 our community TO prey upon
the unwary and innocent pilgrim. and in
order to have some one with sufficient
authority and Ia sufficient numbers to
prevent disorder and bockades on the
trails leading to Lakes Linderman and
Bennett. and to protec, the property OF
citizens OF the United States. We petition
that immediate action be taken by the
proper authorities.
And believing this an extraordinary
emergency. We believe that martial law
should be declared In all this part OF
Alaska comprising the communities OF
pye, and skagway. and the trails lead
lng thercfrom TO the international bound
ary. And tiIat sufficient troops. not less
than 80. be Immediately dispatched to
these points TO enforce laws and pre-
serve order"
II hs stated that Governor Brady has
ordered one OF the government revenue
cutters stationed at Sitks to this place
TO preserve order The cutter will arrive
in n few days.
Inspector OF Mixes McGregor, who
started for Dawson some weeks ago with
several tons OF SUPPLIES and number OF
horses. has abandoned the trip. Nc
Gregor got as far as Lake Lebarge. where
ne received orders from Major Walsh.
administrator OF the Yukon district, who
is camped at Big Salmon River. TO aban-
don the trip because OF the impossibiliiy
to reach Dawson with horses.
The recent order Of the Canadian Gus
toms officials at Lake Taglsh prohibiting
any person 10 pass there with less than
l0o0 pounds OF provisions for each man.
has had the effect OF stopping many
who had started for Dawson with less
than that amount.
4 double murder occurred here at
o'clock this morning. Deputy United
States Marshal ]. M. Rowan, formerly
city marshal of Mount Vernon, WaSn.,
and Andrew McGrth, native Of Con-
cord. Ont. were shot and killed In Jake
Rice's variety theatre by Ed Fay. a bar
tender. Fay is being guarded by a CON-
mittee OF citizens. Tomorrow he viii be
tried by committee OF u, Judicial forms
viii be followed as closely as possible.
II is the gCSeral oplnion that II found
guilty. Fay win be hanged, The theater
has been closed by the citizens. The
murder had sad sequel in the death of
Rowan's wife and child. which was born
short time previous TO the murder OF
its father. Rowan was on his way to
obtain medical assistance for his wife
when the shooting occurred The shoot
ing grew out OF brawl iu which Nc
Grath was a participant He became in
volved in quarrel with one of the fe-
male attaches Of the theater whom he
accused Of stealing $40 from his pockets,
Rice proprietor Of the place and a num-
ber Of heelers. It Is alleged, jumped on
McGrath, intllcting severe wounds in the
back of his head. McGrath escaped and
went out of the place to get gun Ht
met Uutted States Deputy Marshal Row.
an and told him his story, Rowan started
10 Rice's place with McGrath, The latter
entered the house first Rowan followed
Whom NIcGrath entered the house he i'm
mediately took off his coat AMI struck a
Fay with his fist, Fay immediately drew
his revolver and fired. the bullet striking
McGrath in the groin. He dropped onto {
chair without word.
RowaA turned to pull his revolver from
his hip pocket, when Fay fired again, th'
bullet striking Rowan in the stomach
Rowan reeled but did not fall and reaches
the street. where friend found him ant
took him to DR.. Moore's office block dis
tant, where he died OF internal hemor
rhage two hours later, The shooting Il
the theater woke up a sleeping ma
named Jones' who drew his revolver an
began to shoot indiscrimlnately. y bulle
from his revolver went through both
Hi Lamont's thighs, inhicting sllgh
wounds.
Fay claims in justification of the mm
der that he acted in self-defease, as No
Grath went out Of the saloon to get
, gun,
AnpUNAI EOp wORDEN