Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1908-10-09
DISPUTE OVER LEASE
RESULTS IN SHOOTING
Chas. Kellogg in the Pullman Hospital
With Shot From a 22-cal. Rifle
in Right Lung.

Considerable interest has been
aroused in Pullman and vicinity during
the past week in relation to the dis
pute concerning the tenantship of the
farm owned by Thomas Savage, of
Pullman, which lies a couple of miles
west of town. An impartial survey of
the situation produces the impression
that intensity of feeling on the part of
the disputants has aided in the de-
velopment of an affair, which for the
best interests of all concerned, might
more wisely have been avoided.
One side of the case is that Mr..
Charles Kellogg had the Savage farm
rented for three years, with the option
of retaining it another two years if
he so desired. The three year part of
the lease expired on October first.
Previous to October 1st, Mr.. Savage
claims to have been informed by Mr.
Kellogg that the latter would not re-
tain occupation of the property for the
additional two years. Still later,
however, Mr.. Savage was informed by
Mr.. Kellogg that owing to the i'm
pending destruction of Kellogg's oat
crop by the fall rains. and the deple-
tion of finances thereby occasioned, it
would be necessary for Mr.. Kellogg to
occupy the ranch for the other two
years.
Members of Mr.. Savage's family
give this version of the matter, and
add that Mr.. Savage consented to the
proposed arrangement. allowing Mr..
Kellogg the occupancy of the ranch
for the remaining two years, in case
of the destruction of the oat crop.
However, the crops were saved. and
Mr.. Savage accordingly negotiated
with Messrs. M. G. Ashby and Ira
Fields, and authorized them to occupy
the property as renters.
Mr.. Kellogg, however, claims not to
have understood the matter in this
light, and refused to vacate the prop
erty. During his absence from home,
Mr.. Savage and members of his family
took possession of the place, the idea
being that by forcible occupation the
tenant could be excluded until such
time as the two new tenants could oc-
cupy the premises.
Following this action by Mr.. Saw
age. there were warrants issued by
local authorities for the arrest of him
and members of his family, for fore
IDLY occupying the premises. Mr..
Kellogg, however, was unable to re-
gain occupancy of the farm through
this means.
Wednesday night an armed party
approached the Savage farm, evidently
with the intention of forcibly evicting
Messrs. Ashby and Fields from the
house, which they were then occupy
ing. According to statements made
by Mr. Fields. the members of the
party approached the house and with
/ out parley smashed the door in. Shots
were fired by the approaching party,
and it is the belief of those in the
house that several bullets struck the
door They say that Mrs. Fields and
number of small children were in the
room which was attacked, one of the
children being a small baby in Grad
lie, and that the flying debris struck
I L &c c.
Mr.. Fields says he tried to parley
with the members of the party, but
while talking was struck with cog
wheel, thrown, he says, by short,
heavy set man. The blow knocked
him down. Fields says he had in his
hands a rife, but hesitated to fire,
thinking that bloodshed might be
avoided by parleying. Mr.. Ashby. it
seems, was in possession of % cal
ibre rife, and upon seeing Mr.. Fields
fall, supposed he had been shot. He
therefore opened fire, shooting Mr..
Kellogg in the right breast. The bull
let entered the right lung, but did not
result fatally. Following this there
was a cessation of hostilities, as it
was necessary to bring Mr.. Kellogg
back to town. He was taken to the
Pullman hospital, where he is at the
present time. He will recover.
The story of the approach to the
house and the following struggle is
told by a member of the attacking
party from a different point of view