Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1900-12-06
STABBED TO DEATH
A Osp|orab|e Tragedy at the
Dewey Mine,
Joe Smith Meets Death From a Knife in
the Hands Of Andrew Gilbert.

DCWcJ thlue seven nlleS elSV Oh
Grangeville. c. l.. Rice came to
town about nine O'Clock for Il
doctor, saying that Andrew Gilbert
had stabbed Joe Smith, and DR..
Bibby went to the scene of the
trouble, but nothing could be done
for the injured man and he died
before morning. When the news
of his death reached town Coroner
Nickel went out and the following
testimony was taken before the
jury:
&. l.. RICE
testified: II had finished my
evenings work and Mrs. Rice
said Gilbert had started for home
and for me to watch and see if he
crossed the river all right. ! kept
watch and presently heard two
shots and a woman scream. l
started for Smiths aud when got
there found Smith and he said he
was badly cut. l saw three men
struggling over gun who proved
to be Andrew Gilbert, Elmer
Breckenridge and Walter Rice.
l helped Smith back to his tent
and started for a doctor. I saw
Gilbert on his horse riding down
the river. knew there was hard
feelings between Smith and Gil
bert about horse. About two or
three weeks ago Gilbert told me
he was going to settle with Smith
but not at that time as he was not
prepared"
PETER OLSON.
candy and myself were going
up to Hinkles. / was on foot, he
on horseback. When we got in
front Of Joe Smiths he told me to
hold his horse that he wanted to
go in and see that fellow. l heard
scufiling after Andy went inside
and a woman screaming. Andy
came running out with rifle in
his hand and crossed the trail.
| went to the door of the tent just
as Smith came out and two shots
went off. l ran down towards
Rice's and met the crowd coming
up. did not hear any shooting
inside the tent. Had been with
Gilbert about an hour. We had
been drinking. He did not say
anything to me about trouble with
Smith,
WALTER RICE.
was in Skaggs' saloon about
noon and heard a controversy be-
tween Smith and Gilbert in which
Gilbert accused Smith of stealing
colt. Smith denied it and said
he could whip Gilbert anywhere.
Skaggs and carp interfered and he
heard no more trouble. In the
evening he heard the shots and
ran up to Smiths with several
others and found Smith and Gil
bert scufiling in the edge of the
river. After they were separated
he went to Smiths tent and Smith
said: 81 am struck to the heart;
he (Gilbert) came in the door and
threw one arm around my arm and
cut me. We struggled for the
rifle and he got the gum from me
and ran out of the tent. I got my
pistol and Gilbert stuck his head
in the door and l fired one shot.
/ think hit him in the face or
neck. Iran out and he shot at me
and then we came together and
scuffied until we got down to the
river" Smith also told Rice that
he was sitting when Gilbert cut
him."
ELMER BRECKENRIDGE
testified that he reached the scene
Of trouble with Charles and Walter
Rice, and said: "I saw two men
struggling and just before l got to
them they both fell into the river.
Gilbert was underneath and both
had hold of gun. l grabbed the
gun and told them to let go.
Smith started towards the tent
and ! got the gun away from Gill
bert and gave it to Walter Rice.
Gilbert said he thought he was
shot in the neck and wanted me
to take him somewhere, but when
we got to his horse he wanted to
be helped on and he rode down the
river towards Rice's camp. When
he got in front of Rice's boarding
house he got off his horse and |
had come back from Smiths to &c
for Mr.. carp, he was walking
around the yard leading his horse.
He said he could 60 to a doctor
quicker than a doctor could get to
him. / talked with Smith and he
told me that the FIRST thing he
knew Gilbert bolted right in with
a knife in his hand and said, 81
will fix you.'' Smith said he tried
to get the gun which was in q
scabbard.
MRS. N. A. SMITH
wife Of the deceased testified az
follows: ~ think it was about
O'Clock last evening when Mr.. Gil
bert came in knocking the stove
over and breaking things ant
knocked over the baby buQr,
throwing the baby on the foor
and grabbed Mr.. Smith, shoyet