The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1902-01-16
HORRID
BUTCHERY
RECALLED
Kid West Who Helped Hang
0'Brien.
The Yukon Murderer, Driven
Out of Portland.


Of support, was recognized Yesterday as
the notorious "Kid" West, who was
taken from Walla Walla penitentiary to
Dawson, Yukon Territory, to give evil
dence as a witness in the murder trial
In which one O'Bren was charged with
having killed Linz Relfe, Of Seattle;
Clayson, a skagway merchant, and
Olson. a telegraph lineman, December
25, 1899, hallway between Dawson and
skagway. After giving his evidence at
Dawson as to what he knew Of O'Brien'R
record, Avery was taken back to Walla
Wslla penitentiary to serve the remain
der Of his sentence.
The murder OF the three men was
singularly cold blooded crime, ruthless
in its details. The manner in which the
noose was fastened around O'Brien's
neck for his part in the outrage spoke
we'll for the iigor and stern severity with
which the Canadian Government acted
in running him TO earth. One Of the
victims Of the murder, ClaySon, had cx-I
tensive bu5iness interests at Dawson,
and in making preparations for a jour-
ney to skagway he happened to mem
tion in the hearing OF O'Brisn and other
desperadoes that he expected to take
considerable sum Of money with him.
Linn Relfe, who was a member Of a
wel-known Seattle family, and was
employed as a gold weigher, had started
from the interior, homeward bound, De-
cember Is, 1899, and he and Clayton fell
in with each other at Mimic station
about half way between skagway and
Daweon on the evening before Christ
mas day, 1899. Here they met the tel
graph lineman, and next day. December
25, 1899, the three men started on
the journey for Skagway, little dream
ng that a violent death would meet
meet each OF them on the way. As.the
.hree left the little station that was
he last seen Of them alive, except by
heir murderers. The three friends had
Proceeded a few miles when they heard
command to "halt" from bank above
hem. Resistance was useless, as tie
ravelers rifles were strapped to their
lite, They were ordered TO leave the trail,
nd in the outrage that followed they
'ere robbed and shot to pieces, and
heir bodies thrown under the river ice
Trough a hole.
Several days elapsed before the tele-
raph lineman was missed, and he had
'iled to report for duty at the next eta
on, and then the hue and cry began. ,
= 'Brien was arrested, and many thous-
lds OF dollars were speht by the Cana
an Government in the prosecution of
murderer, the Northwest mounted
'lce surprising all their previous
Movements. Avery bad been with I
Brien's! gaug before the murder took
ace, and he WAS forced to tell about
Brien's. actions aud conversation :
out the time OF the murder. O'BrIen a
10 found guilty AMI was hanged The 4
'ond murderer was never caught. \
Avery told the police that he had I
Ike up Oantwell in Seattle. Cautwelrs I
Ief objection to being arrested lay in Il
grievance that his term ia Jail in
tered with his smoking cigarettes. 7
tn prisoners admitted that when they h
It arrived in this city they had loaded Z,
'olyers in their possession. These re- h
vers were afterward found where the /,
soners had left them, ina wood pile
Second and Couch streets. Both q
cry and Cantwell admitted that they d
ne TO Portland in the hope Of robbins
NV saloons, or engaging in highway ,,
'bery. They had no money when .,
ested.
yesterday Municipal Judge Cameron =,
to the prisoners; "There is a charge :,
'agrancy against each of you. Now, g.
do not wish people like you in this al
:, and the court would like TO know II p
Wonld leave Portland right away. il le
at liberty9' ~ ~
Would leave Portland2" exclaim, d S
cry, ioyously. "You just give me a
nee. TN 20 at once
You must leave the city before dark.
9 sets Ia. We can't have people like a.
at large; you might do some mis-. az
#, hinted the Judge. "Now here is &
At the court lie prepared to do: You
be each sentenced to 60 days impris.
nent, and sentence will be suspended
The understanding that you leave eI
n at once, Ityou linger here after f,
clock you will be brought back 10 T,
70 your sentence" as
What about our reyolyers? They Pr
g not exactly In our possession; but eK
belong 10 friend, and we will have
return them 10 him" remarked
ny, with an impudent leer. ~,
lon had better not think about yonr In
llveTsi they are con6scated. Yon
ht to thank your stars that you es-
I'd o. easily reiOined the Judge.
sVeTal persons in the courtroom said d.
1nlly expected 20 see Avery and
iWeli doing duty at the rock pile
precious pair were conducted out Of
city umits by the police, aud we're
n tAs clmmand; "D,n', come W
l."