Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-04-29
SAVAGE
KILLED BY
MISTAKE
Wrong Man Got In Front of
Indians Bullet Whose
Aim Was Bad
@Harrel Over Card Game and
Fire water Caused
Tragedy

Portland, In- April pa card
azame Hnd a bpttle Of frewater were
the contributury causes of the tragedy
con fhe GrBn5 Ronde Indian reserva.
zion 8nntiay that resulted in the death
csf Poster Wzachino and the arrest of
HOnfs .sawBge ON the charge of muir
daer. Tire murderer, a fullblooded In
dian, with "a bad record on the reser-
vEafion, wRs brought to this city yes
t4sraEg and lodged in the county jail
to :Arniit the action of the federal au-
Mh0iities. Savage is of a very dudish
aaYpRErznre, and his dress would indi-
Ssate nhat be was something of a Beau
Wrrmmel, but he bears the reputation
GBfanlng a bad man with a gun, a sort
GE DeRdwood Dick among the Indians.
E4s lnhs served time in the peniten-
t1iary. Bs frankly admits his bad rec
cord, abut declares that the killing Of
wAdhims was an accident, He intent
asd ~ BtlE the half-breed with whom he
Cmaraled.
When the deputy arrived with Saw
ag1 yesterday morning he took him
directly 10 the federal court, but the
Indian, who evidenced a sharpness un-
g1stml Tor one of his race, demanded
AN attorney before he would be ar
saigned He was accordingly sent to
Nhe xOa1fty Jail until he had time to get
"a mwyeT. When seen in his cell he
neaIkaE freely about his case, discuss
ing ME details Of the crime. and the
possibility of being hanged with un-
CSpEncern. His manner and his words
told plainly that 1t was of little con-
teern to him whether he wore a hemp
mecktle or the variegated work of art
Uhat adorned his neck at the time. He
Willingly posed while the artist drew
sketches Of his face, and seemed high
~ pAShheu WIN rlS iuVo VI S~etiH5 10"
picture In the paper.
His costume was particularly dud-
ash hDr an Indian, and he exercised the
utmost oare to preserve his stylish
ness. He wore a neat, black suit, and
10 be up to date wore no vest to hide
his fancy shirt and flowing necktie of
rainbow hues. A glistening white col
Far around his copper-colored neck
was carefully protected from perspi'
unil0n by a white silk handkerchief.
FROM the story he related of tho
Grime he and several other Indians
spent almost all night engaged In a
game OF cards. A bottle of frewater
had been procured from some un'
known source, and as the night wore
away In the wee sma' hours the dusky
players we're In rather high spirits. A
quarrel arose between Savage and a
haltbreed, and the embers of anger
were famed into raging flames by
more nrewater. Savage drew a gun
10 nre at the half-breed, but Wachino,
WhO attempted to prevent trouble, re-
ceIved the bullet in his breast and
sank To the floor dead.
1T was an accident that l shot
Wachino.' said Savage yesterday. IL
dId no intend to hit him. | Intended
10 shoot the half-breed. We quarreled
and 1 offered to have a fair fight with
him TO settle the matter. But he
wouldn't fight fairly. He drew some
thing from his pocket that | think
was a gun. pulled my "a and
nred in self-defense. He jumped to
one side, and the bullet struck Waoh'
tno."
When asked II he thought he would
be able Il prove that the killing OF
Wachino was an accident, and escape
the gaIlows, he replied in a tone of
utter Indifference, 81 don't know
whether | will get free or not"
Savage admitted with an air of
bmvado that he had served time In
the pe%nitentiary for burglary and in
Jail for carrying concealed weapons.