The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1901-07-04
The YAKIMA HERALD.
THURSDAY, JULY 4, 1901.
THE McGRATH-PRAHL SHOOTING
Story Of the Affair As Given BY the Friends
Of MeGrath.

correspondent at GlenwOOd, In the
eastern end Of Klickitat county, sends
the following story of the McCrath- Prahl
shooting to the Goldendale Sentinel, in
which paper it was published last week.
William McGrath, who had hearing in
this city last week before Justice ]. A.
Taggard, and who was held in $1,000 bail,
gave bonds for his appearance at the
next term of court, his bondsmen being
prominent men OF this city. In regard
to the circumstances leading up to the
shooting the correspondent says:
"McGrath was alone at his camp, hay
ing herded his sheep, and getting supper,
when Prahl's herder came up with his
sheep, ordering Will to move his sheep,
for he was going to camp there, and if
he didn't move he would mix them. Will
told him to mix them, for that was his
camp and he would stay with it. The
herder then drove his band right into
Wills; then said he to Will, what will
we do now? Will said that they could
take them back to the corral the next
day and separate them. The herder
said that if he had his horse he would
go after Prahl. Will told him that he
would not be able to get them that night,
for it was dark then and he saw his
horses, when he was driving the sheep
to camp, about three miles away. viii
told him, "My horse is here and you can
put my saddle on him and go after
Prahl." The herder did so, but lost his
way and never got back until late the
next day.
"Prahl came to the camp the next
morning, and finding the sheep mixed,
got crazy mad, abusing Will at hor-
rible rate, saying Will had killed his
herder and that -Prahl-would kill
Will that he would tie him and burn
him to stake, at the same time draw
ing his revolver. Will told him that the
herder would show up all right at the
corral. Prahl drew his 'six-shooter'
again and wanted Will to fight him.
Will told him he would fight no man
with a revolver, and for that matter he
had nothing to fight with as he carried
neither gun or revolver.
''Prahl told McGrath if he came back
to his camp he would kill him. Will
told him that he could kill him then, for
he was coming to his own camp in the
morning. Will got man to herd his
sheep while he came to Glenwood to the
justice of the peace to have Prahl placed
under bonds. Finding that the range lay
in Yakima county he could do nothing.
"Will was obliged to be back with the
sheep at night, so he borrowed gun and
revolver and started for his camp. Find
ing he could not reach camp that even
ing, he stopped at another mans camp
for supper. Then he started again, get
ting about mile from his camp when
the sheep wouldn't go any farther. The
next morning he drove his sheep toward
his camp SO he could get breakfast. On
arriving at his camp he found Prahl
there with his tent stretched. Prahl
came out and set the dogs ON Wills
sheep. Will told Prahl to stop and call
the dogs back. Prahl got mad and
drew his revolver. Will then aimed his
gun. Prahl jumped back and called for
his herder to hand him the rifle. The
herder did so, Prahl handing the revolt
yer to the herder. Will, knowing the
rifle would reach farther than the shot
gun, stepped behind tree. Prahl shot
the rifle, hitting the tree. just as Prahl
pulled the trigger again the second time,
Will shot Prahl, who fell You couldn't
see the herder on account of the dust his
heels made in getting for the tent.
Prahl got right up and ran also, but was
almost overcome, and when he got to
his tent, the herder got horse ready
and they started for Glenwood. The
herder got another man from one of the
other camps to take Prahl to Glenwood
and returned to the sheep.
"Will is not quarrelsome man and
he never came from quarrelsome race.
His mother was double cousin to
Abraham Lincoln and was perfect lady
in all ways. His sheep have been exam
ined and are free from disease
Will Snon Iccue I ieeocee