The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-10-24

ROseburg Review Special:
A special from Comstock Saturday told
of the robbery and shooting of Hiram
Shook near Alexander's wood camp,
early that morning. Owing TO the fact
that the hold-up occurred some three
miles from the telegraph Office at Com
stock particulars were meagre. Yester-
day morning Deputy District Attorney
Riddle, Coroner Hoover and Attorney
G. /. Hamilton went TO the scene OF the
crime, and visited the wounded man,
who is at the house Of an uncle near the
big wood camp.
Regarding the affair, it seems that af
ter being shot, Shook narrated the full
particulars 10 Mr.. Alexander, the wood
contractor. Shook had started TO walk
TO Saginaw that morning and had not
proceeded far Wien he fell in with a
couple Of men. Both were dirty and
unkempt in appearance, having the gen.
eral appearance OF hobos. One had
light whiskers and moustache, was about
five feet ten inches tall, wore dark,
shabby clothes the other was shorter,
had dark moustache and complexion,
and also wore shabby clothes. They
exhibited silver or white metal case
Elgin watch, which they offered TO sell
very cheap, and after some dickering,
Shook consented to buy it and took out
his purse in order TO pay for it. In the
meantime the larger Of the two men had
slipped around behind him and seized
him around the body pinning his arms
to his side. They then relieved him OF the
purse and its contents, about $50, but he
struggled free and drew British bull
dog pistol and fired at the larger man,
who jumped aside out of range and
seized Shook by the wrist.
Both higwaymen then grappled with
their victim, the pistol was fired without
effect again, and when the robbers final
ly secured II, the smaller man of the
two pushed the muzzle close TO Shocks
breast and fired, the powder burning
his clothes, and the bullet passing
through his body just above the heart.
Leaving their victim lying where he fell
they hastily decamped taking purse,
money, watch and pistol. These articles
will prove excellent means Of identify
ing the robbers II they retain possession
OF them when caught. Shook was lying
close to the road when couple of men
passed In a wagon but for some reason
they did not go to his assistance. Meet
ing some Italian woodchoppers shortly
afterward they told them about the
wounded man and they in turn informed
the Southern Pacific section men, who
at once went TO Shocks assistance.
lie was removed to the home of n rel
alive not far away, and DR.. Wade came
from Drain on the first train TO attend
him, doing all that he could TO relieve
him although II was plain TO see that
the wound was mortal.
The entire country IL up in arms and
II seems improbable that the outlaws
will escape, in fact all road and trails
are patrolled and it is thought they are
hemmed In this side of the Divide.
Shook was able to give an excellent
description oi the men, and II captured
IL Is the general opinion that their trial
will he a brief one, followed by swift
execution of the sentence.
Hiram Shook was % yearsold the day
be was shot. lie is unmarried. and
bears good reputation for sobriety
honesty and industry. His father, Jasper
Shook, resides few miles west of Oak
land, whore the young man made his
home until recently.
A cablegram from Comstock states
that Shook is still alive, bot the doctors
do not believe that his recovery is pos.
sible.