The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1902-02-20
MURDER NEAR OLGA
+" Jack" Hand Shot anil Instantly
Killed by Tom Robertson
RESULT OF AN OLD FEUD
Murderer Surrendered to Justice Snow
den at Olga and was Brought Here
Tuesday-Coroner's Inquest Yesterday.
Story OF the Killing.


What from the evidence thus far OBJ
tained> appears to have been most
cowardly and cold-blooded murder was
committed. in the public highway at
the Moore farm, near Olga, Orcss, ISL
and, Monday AFTERNOON about 8 O'Clock,
when John Hand, one of the pioneer
settlers of that neighborhood, was shot
aud instantly killed by Thos. Robert
son, another old settler, who owns
farm adjoining the Moore place and
upon which he has resided for a score
Of years. After the killing, Robertson
went to Olga and gave himself up to
Justice OF the Peace Snowden, to whom
he claimed he had acted in self defense.
There being no constable In the pre-
cinct Mr.. Snowden appointed Anthony
Ohlert and VIM. Emcil to take charge
of the prisoner and turn him over to
the custody of the sheriff here. They
took him on board the steamer Lydia
Thompson upon her arrival at Olga
Monday evening and arrived here with
him Tuesday forenoon and he was i'm
mediately committed to the Jail. The
circumstances of the tragedy as re.
lated to the ISLANDER hy Messrs,
Ohlert aud Emch are substantially as
follows:
Hand, who is said to have been n
years Of age, lived alone on place
which belongs to the present treasurer
of Island county and which adjoins the
Robertson farm, lying along the county
road about two miles from Olga. There
had for long time been bitter feel
ing between the two men and about
two years ago Hand, whom Robertson
had threatened with loaded weapon.
appealed to the law to protect him and
Robertson was placed under bonds to
keep the peace for the period Of a year.
The i'll feeling between the men col,-
tinued but did not culminate in a fur
ther violent outbreak until the day Of
the tragedy. It seems that Saturday
Robertson sent to Whatcom for gal
lon of whisky and this powerful stimu-
LUIS to evil passions arrived at Olga on
the Buckeye Monday morning and
Robertson Immediately proceeded TO
imbibe of 1t freely. Hand went to Olga
in the morning with load of apples
and poultry which he had arranged
with Anthony Ohlert to take to What
com in his schooner. Robertson's
daughter had also gone to Clga to sell
some eggs and she was counting them
in Jeff Moore's store when Hand elI-
tered and playfully put his hands on
her shoulders and she turned and
looked at him and laughed. Robert
son, whom Hand probably had not
seen at the time, was sitting by the
stove and after the girl had left he be-
gan abusing Hand, whom he Is said to
have told never to touch one Of his
family. The old man left soon and
went home with Mr.. Savage, who had
hauled his fruit, ETC., In from the
ranch, but he returned In the afternoon
to get some nails from Ohlert and after
visiting with him while again left for
his home, this time going alone and on
foot. At the Moore place he met
Robertson, who had armed himself.
with big 45-7O rifle, and tha two men
had scuffie in the road there during.
which the rifle was discharged, the
ball passing clear through the Moore
house. It Is not repeating rife and
while Robertson was reloading. Hand
went on up the roa daad had eoue
thirty to forty yards when Robertson
shot him, the ball entering Just In front
of the right shoulder and.passing d.
rectly through his body. He fell face
downward In the muddy road and
shortly after the youngest daughter Of
the murderer passed him there OH her
way to her home. The body was soon
removed to the home Of Justice Snow
den in Olga. Mn. n. b. Davis, her