The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-09-22

Wallace W.. Lott, a well-known
Young man, residing with his parents
on Hartstein Island, near Arcadia,
came IN on the boat last Thursday
evening and delivered himself to
Sheriff Vogtlin, with the information
that he had shot and killed neighbor,
E. n. Haskell. The reports were con-
fused, as no one was present except
the principals, and Mrs. Lott, mother
OF the prisoner. It appears that the
Lofts had occasion to pass the Haskell
ranch adjoining in search of their
cows, and in passing along the beach
were ordered off the premises by Mr..
Haskell. It is said the latter began
throwing stones, whereupon young
Lott warned him to desist, and then
hired two shots from a rifle he held,
both of which took effect. tits report
ed that the families have had trouble
in the past, and Haskell has been
claimed to be the aggressor. The
true facts will probably be brought
out in the trial. None of the Haskell
family were present at the time, but
hearing the shots, Mrs. Haskell went
to the scene and found her husband
lying dead. She covered the body
and also came to Shelton for help..s
Friday morning Coroner Chapman,
Sheriff vogtlin and a jury went to the
Island and held an inquest on the re-
mains, resulting in verdict of death
from gun-shot wounds at the hands of
w. w. Lott. Three small rocks were
found clenched in the hands of the de-
ceased. One shot was found to have
shattered the backbone, and the other
passed through the body. Either
would have caused death.
The funeral of E. H. Haskell took
place at Arcadia on Saturday after
noon, Rev. S. A. Abbott preaching an
affecting sermon, and the remains
were buried on the old Haskell place
on Pickering passage.
The preliminary examination was
held before Justice Frank Wiley on
Monday afternoon, County Attorney
Byrne for the prosecution and S. P.
Richardson appearing for the prisoner.
The defense waived examination, but
several witnesses were examined by
the prosecution, and the prisoner
placed under bonds of 81, 900 to appear
before the Superior Court for trial,
which will probably take place in No
vember. The bond was furnished and
young Lott was discharged from Gus
tody. A number of Hartstein Island
residents were present at the hearing,
and the prisoner was the recipient of
considerable sympathy.
1t is a most 1amentab1e tragedy.
The deceased leaves wife and four
children to make the struggle of life
unaided, losing probably what has
been gained by years OF hard work,
while the young man standing under
the charge of murder has Young wife
and little babe, and whatever may be
the outcome of the trial, its effects will
be with him and them all through life.
However great may be the provoca-
ton, it is very serious thing to take
a human life. and it is rarely that
there is not some means out of every
difficulty without such resort.
The JOURNAL finds 1t hard to believe
that neighborly difficulties could have
reached such culmin alton: it has al
ways found Mr.. Lott quiet and inof-
fensive young man, and its relations
with Mr.. Haskell have always been
pleasant and agreeable, 1t is to be
hoped that this terrible affair will
settle every difference that may exist
between neighbors in Mason County.