The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-09-20

Ger Of the law, has been turned into
something more than mere laughing
matter, BY the wanton boasts Of the
aforesaid officer and tine quick espous-
al Of his side Of the story by his local
paper the Chinook Observer The side
Of the yarn not told by the officer In
question is given in the following lines,
upon the authority Of one Of the parties
subjected 10 indignity in the premises,
II seems that Captain lawson, Of the
schooner Marcona. then loading lumber
at the Columbia bills at Knappton, In
company with his friends, Mr.. Poul-
son Of Portland, and +. L. Williams of
the federal quarantine station on the
north shore, started out not many days
ago, on bear hunt, and after beating
the woods down the river for while,
found themselves abreast Of McGowan's
cannery and being hungry from their
tramp, selected secluded and grassy
pot and opened up their pocket hampers
for such refresbment as was timely, and
after this was discussed were indulging
in meridian smoke and rest, when one
of the party remarked upon the beauty
and up.to date ness Of a magazine rifle
carried by Captain Lawson: The captain
with commendable pride in his hand.
some weapon pointed IL at some drift.
wood nearby and exploded half dozen
shells in rapid succession to demonstrate
its facility and accuracy Hardly had
the echoes OF his shots ceased rever.
berating. when, with a rush and volley
Of oaths, Deputy Sheriff Stevens Of Pa.
ciHc county, Washington, with four
hcnchmen, each and all armed and as
vehement and basphemous as their lead.
er, burst upon the scene and ordered
"handsl up" declaring inctoic4 Chln.
ook, that he knew who they were" and
what they wanted" that "they were
the very d---d parties he was looking
for" etc. etc, etc.
Mr. Poulson tan old gentleman, by
the wayl entered very natural, yet po.
lictly vigorous protest against the in
yasion, and was promptly Knocked down
by the deputy sheriff. for.his ,tfemerity.
The valiant and discciningkdeputy had,
Of course, discovered his ridiculous mis-
take, but even as the old man lay where
he had been beaten down by the fool Of,
iicer, that satrap. to preserve his record
for bravery and, in some slight measure,
save the situation for himself, told Mr..
poul,on to shut up" and continued,
IL any of You make move IT,
blow your heads orr; this threat
was followed by others Of sim.
liar import, and the whole disgusting
display wound up with an order ito get
out Of this ncighborhood and to stay
out" thus proving to a fatal conclusion
1.-THE genuine assinimity of his position
in the affair. The braves then departed.
Messrs. lawson, Williams and Poul.
son. after the edge of their resentment
had worn Oft by an amplifed discussion
Of the outrage, concluded TO treat il
with u contemptuous silence due such
blackguardly conduct, and would have
done so had not the Chinook Observer,
in its issue next following the incident,
proclaimed the valor. the intrepidity, the
ronscientiousness and the hundred and
Dne other virtues of this same deputy
sheriff. and his aids, in the breaking up
If a nest of tramp.fshermcn and trap.
busters found in the woods near Nc.
'owan's cannery, describing by date. To-
'ality, numbers, and every other sign |
If Identification, the episode here set
'orth, The Observer may have believed
he deputy's blood and thunder tale (but
he charity that comedies this does not
'xclude stinging criticism of its miser.
'ble judgmentl, but, believing 1t, or not,
I published the ribad stuff, and the
lop was ready for other columns about
he river country than these. The tale
vas too fishy, too theatrical, too hrid,
or the Morning Astorian, without re-
outable confirmation, and that was not
Il hand.
The side of the story here offered by
he Astorian has the merit Of truth
md never would have been told at all,
I the officer involved In the business had
lad the good sense. to recognize his eg.
yregious blunder, apologize for It and re.
rain from fake heroics after his return
tsa. p