Stikeen River journal. (Fort Wrangel, Alaska) 1898-1899, 1898-07-16

some time has infested it. The meet
ing was called to order by J. T. Hayne,
foreman of the News office, who sug-
gested the election Of chairman, Thos
Written OF the Golden North hotel,
being chosen. The chairman appoint
ed committee of four, Frank H. Reid,
Jesse Murphy, J. M. Tanner, and Mr..
Landers, to guard the approach to the
dock in order that no Objectionable
characters might be admitted to dis
turb the deliberations Of the meeting.
SIT was while this committee of four
was stationed at the end of the dock
that jeff Smith appeared carrying q
Winchester rifle in his hands. He
walked straight up to Reid and with an
oath, asked what he was doing there,
at the same time striking at him with
the barrel OF the gun. Reid grabbed
the gun in his left hand as it descended
pushing it down toward the ground,
and drawing his revolver with his right
hand at the same time. When the
point of the rifle was close against
Reds right groin, Smith pulled the
trigger. The ball passed clear through
and came out through the lower part of
the right hip. AT about the same time
Reid fired two or three shots in rapid
succession, one of which pierced Smiths
heart, another striking one of his legs.
Smith also fired a second shot, striking
Reid in the leg. Both men fell at about
the same time, "Soapy" Smith stone
dead and City Engineer Reid danger
ously, perhaps mortally, wounded.
"Needless to say, the meeting which
was in session further down the dock
speedily adjourned. The dead and
wounded men We're picked up and
brought to town, Smiths remains be-
ing taken to the undertakers, and Mr..
Reid being carefully carried to DR..
Moore's Office where number of ply.
sicians made careful examination OF
his wounds At first it was thought
the wounded man could live but a few
hours, but he has since rallied materi-
ally and his chances for recovery are
now considered very fair, and strong
hopes are entertained.
Later in the evening the citizens
again convened a meeting, with the re.
suit that thorough organization was
effected. 1t appearing to the citizens
! that Deputy Marshal Taylor, by his
affiliations with the Smith crowd, was
not the proper man to head an armed
body of men, Captain J. NJ. Tanner was
sworn in as deputy marshal by U. S.
Commissioner Schlbrede, and about
twenty-five others were deputized to
assist Captain Tanner. Captain Sperry
was placed at the head of the citizens
committee. each one of whom carried d
Winchester rifle.
"All last night the measured tread
of the guards could be heard as they
patrolled the streets. All the haunts
where any of those supposed to be in
anyway connected with ''Soapy's gang
was liable to be found, were visited.
But in most cases the birds had taken
warning and fled. However,, quite Il
number were placed under arrest, and
are now confined in the city Jail, which
is closely guarded. 1t is feared that
the three men who robbed Stewart OF
his sack of gold have escaped to the
hills, as did several others of the gang
last night, on earning of the death OF
their leader. All the avenues of es.
cape from the city have been closely
guarded, and unless the bold highway.
men got out by small boats yesterday,
their CHARGES for escape are very small.
Every wharf is closely guarded, and
detachments of deputies have been sent
to Dyea, as we'll as to Lake Bennett.
The entire trail from Skagway to Ben
nett is closely watched. Business is
practically suspended today. Hundreds
of men, the majority of them armed
with Winchesters, are cOngregated on
the streets, but the best of order pre-
;1p