The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-09-17

from Sitka. He said further, by way
of explanation that as result Of the
Fourth of July celebration some ma
tives had partaken too freely of
"hoocheenoo," and as a result one had
been seriously cut about the head. AL
| though l was not specially qualified
to serve as a member of posse to
capture bad Indians. this trip meant
two days on the water in a gasoline
launch and would probably afford
some interesting and novel expert
ences. While l anticipated II on my
part as a sort of holiday excursion,
before the matter was ended | was in
itiated into an insight of Indian ways
and habits which was pathetic and
saddening
GIRL WAS CAPTURED.
Instead of the drunken brute ex-
pected, the prisoner turned out to be
high caste girl OF the Wolf tribe,
about IS years of age. Previous to
this troubles she had always borne a
good reputation and had never before
come into conflict with the law. AL
though accused of acting like mad
woman and of making desperate at
tempts to kill her own aunt, the girl
of the officer, and In fact seemed to
welcome his coming with relief. All
concerned, the prisoner and her accus-
er and ten witnesses, came back on
the boat to -Sitka and the little craft
was crowded to its utmost capacity.
The girl had face which an artist
or sculptor would have called Deau-
tiful. Many of the Thlingits show In
their narrow, slitlike eyes and other
ways a distinctively japanese origin
but In this case the eyes were very
large and full and the features ex-
pressive and intelligent. The prison.
er was not confined or shackled in
any way. but was allowed as much
freedom as any one on board
The trial was held the next day and
furnished a good example Of the ways
OF Justice as administered In a pion-
eer community. The court room was |
crowded with Indians. only few
whites being present The commits
sioner, who sits as magistrate, Judge |
and jury. has only recently been ap-
pointed. He is the postmaster of the
town and although not trained In le-
gal ways. filled his duties with dignity
and good sense. There was no real
qualified lawyer present. The case for
the government and people was con-
Quoted by the marshal. The prison.
er's side was looked after by Mr. Kel-
ley--a former superintendent OF the
Titka Indian mlssion--who knows
the Indians we'll and TO whom they
turn in time Of trouble
The plaintiff. defendant and friends
MI sat together and there was no 9th
er seat available when I came in. II
90 happened that for most OF the
I sat between Swat-Gooth,
he prisoner. and Ahtabnik. her accus-
sr.
VICTIM TELLS STORY.
The first witness called was the
,quaw who had been stabbed. She
presented a pitiful spectacle,
With her head and face swathed In
)andages, she hobbled along 10 hta
hair on the platform. In response 10
he direction of the commissioner, tho
questions regarding hei
Ige and residence were put to her
" the official interpreter-a Russian.
When boiled down, the essential part
Il her story was TO the effect that
he and her husband had come over
u a canoe from Killisno with salmon
nd hallbut for the cannery at Sitka
BAY. When their business was I'm
shed and they were about 10 return.
his girl, Shawat-Gooh. came flying out
4 her tent with knife In hand. and
Ike q mad woman. had fallen upon the
witness and stabbed her three times.
hen as she. Ahtanik. had fallen TO
he ground by the side OF the boat,
Ihawat- -Gooh disappeared Into the
woods, shrieking like crazy bear.
HAD any OF the Indians been drink
ng?" mo"
Had there been any previous quar-
ell or bad words?" NO"
All the witnesses told about the
anne story and things looked black
or the young girl, who sat silent. with
Ter brilliant eyes fixed steadfastly
pom the witnesses as they testified
Some OF the witnesses had spoken
I the prisoner as bad woman, and
nore by chance and random than
nything else, the question was n
here were any witches or Indian doc
ors concerned In this trouble. At the
rst mention of the word 'Llpsahte,"
r witch. the girls eyes fairly blazed.
Ip to this time the witnesses had
been trying to tell the truth,
ut when wltchcraft and Shaman
ere spoken of there were signs of
neasiness among them all and a
larked reluctance to freely answer
irther questions. One and all denied
18th vehemence that there was any
ldian doctor connected with the mat
sr. When the prisoner was called to
he stand she began quietly. but as she
roceeded and remembrances pressed
pom her she forgot her native rc.
erve. and with face and eyes. arms
nd hands, and her whole body ex-
ressing what was running through
or mind, she recounted In dramatic
Inguaee what had really happened