Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-03-06
DIES IN DISCHARGE OF DUTY.

Gukbiy q OOACo CSSs
DIES IN DISCHARGE OF DUTY.
The Death Of Tailor David Morrell From ar
Assassin's Hand.
A horrible tragedy was enacted al
the old county Jail, Sunday afternoon
about 3 O'Clock, in which Jailor David
Morrell was murdered by Chris. Ben
son, con victed of grand larceny and
held for transportation to the State
penitentiary to serve a sentence of one
year for stealing $45 from n comrade
a couple OF months ago.
Two trusties-Jack Kahla and AL.
bert Bradley-were the only witnesses
to the murderous assault and their
stories agree. The prisoners in the
steel cage had been let out to eat
their meal, which had been brought
in by the jailor, and as he was lock-
ing the door upon one inmate, Clark
held for murder, with his back to.
ward Benson, the latter sprang for
ward and struck him q fearful blow
on the head with piece of lead pipe
he had torn from q sink in q small
room in the northeast corner of the
Jail where he had been confined. The
blow staggered the victim, aud when
he turned Benson ran for the door
pursued by Morrell, who had drawn
his revolver and attempted to use il
as club, doubtless to avoid the she'd
ding of human blood. The ferocious
prisoner was not so considerate. He
to belabor his victim over the
head with the lead pipe, and after he
had dealt probably a fatal blow he
seized the pistol from the jailor's
hand and shot him three times in the
head and body. Benson then took
the keys from the dead mans pocket,
and in passing through the main cell
he gave q threatening glance at the
terror stricken inmates and opening the
door quickly made his escape.
Kahla Immediately ran to the Sher-
ifs home and informed Mrs. Mills,
the Sheriff being absent in search oil
the two boys who had escaped on Fri
day night. This brave woman grasped
the situation of affairs quickly, and
fastening to the Jail, she dispatched
Kahla for police officers and Bradley
for doctor, and then stood guard
over the remaining prisoners to proven,
escape, who had, including Clarke,
the murderer, come out upon the steps,
the jailor having, evidently, not been
able to turn the key before after the
sudden and vicious assault.
The news spread quickly and very
soon a number OF parties started out 10
apprehend the criminal, but it was sev.
ersl hours before there was any we'll
organized effort made to guard tn.
avenues of escape. Further than
that Benson had ran up Adams street
and reached the railroad track there
appeared to be no authentic informa.
ton as to the direction taken. That
far he was seen by several people, and
as his left hand appeared to be covered
with blood, it is thought that he might
have been wounded. Tracks found
afterwards indicated that the convict
had left the track and started up
Nozzle Creek, and the Cinnamon who
own the two gardens near by declare
that they saw q man, doubtless the
criminal, running across their land
about that time.
Sheriff Mills, who returned Sunday
night, spent Monday. with about fifty
men, in . vain search over a wide
space Of country, every passable ave
nue. being guarded. About 9 O'Clock
at night, however, word was brough,
from the N. P. bridge at Nesqually
that a man doubtless the desperate
eluded the guard, Frank Golson, o.
Sherlock, passing himself off for g
tramp. He got a meal at Smiths
store, Golson directed him where to
get . drink of water; he warmed hi.
hands over the guards fire, and then
started rapidly down the tract TO-
wards Tacoma. It was not until he
was we'll out of the way that the
guard realized he had been duped.
Golsou Immediately communicated
with Sheriff Mills, who soon as possible
sent q posse Of his best men to The
Nesqually. The police authorities ol
Pierce county have been notified and
have sent out strong forces for capture
of the criminal.
John McClelland, who has been ap.
pointed deputy Sheriff and jailor, ha,
taken q lively interest in the man.
search. He is we'll qualified for the
work being both courageous and stall.
wart.
Dave Morrell was q model Tailor
His experience in the army gave him
the requisite training for handling
firearms, and his long service Of
guard of penitentiary convicts nj
Seatco, a third of century ago, al
Walla Walla more recently and many
years as deputy Sheriff, jailor and
policeman here eminently qualified
him for his dangerous duties. But as
~ 10 othOoV iuSoIlouIy tuc Chb0, H.
miliarity with any hazardous line oil
duty renders an oblivion of conse-
quences, or rather the carelessness for
adopting safeguards. Dave Morrell
doubtless thought that q man serving
. light sentence, whom he had invaria.
bly, treated with kindness, would be in.
capable of enacting the part ofan as
sassin.
Dave left no family OF his own. He
had been married, and for years had
been taking care Of an adopted son,
Fred Bonney, to whom by will he
leaves his property, consisting of q
couple of houses and lots, about $500
in bank and some bonds, amount un.
known. and names Arthur Callow
as executor. The little fellow feels
the loss of his guardian deeply.
The funeral services were held Tues.
day afternoon in G. A. r. hall, by the
Odd Fellows, Masons and his comrades
OF the war. He was buried with the
ceremonies and honors of ell three Or
ganizations and his resting-place is in