The Seward gateway daily edition, and the Alaska weekly post., 1918-04-12
BRITISH ARE GRIMLY HANGING ON
TWO MEN KILLED AT KENA| OVER A
 SCHOOL ELECTION

The word "liar," expressed in resent ment at an accusation, eliminated what is said to have been long reign of domination, at Kenai, last Monday afternoon and as a result two men are dead, each with four bullets in their bodies. United States Commissioner L. c. Magiil shot and instantly killed Paddy Ryan, old timer and Charles Coach, an old time trapper, shot and killed Magill when the latter resisted arrest. The news of the double shoot ing was given in the Gateway yester- day and the details were brought here last night by A. P. Noftsger and Ar vid Wik who left Kenai at 6 o'clock last Tuesday morning by dog team, for Seward, to give the facts of the tragedy to United States Deput! Marshal Isaac Evans in this city.
 The shooting ends, what is practi- cally believed to have been a long .tanding neighborhood quarrel, quar rel which perhaps started in one man assuming authority not vested in him and which became more oppressive as time went on.
 Details of Tragedy
 The details of the shooting were given in straight forward manner iast night to Ml. Evans and the Gate way by A. P. Noftsger, and were cor roborated fully by Mir. Wik. Last Monday a school election was called at Kenai by U. $. Commissioner Ma gill, who is also teacher in the scl,oci there, the other instructors being Mrs. II. M. Pratt, formerly of Hope, and Harry Steele, Seward man.
 Early last Monday, Magill went around the little village on the inlet and inferred that martial law would De declared by him if any trouble arose over the school election to be held that afternoon between the hours of 2:30 and 5:90 o'clock.
 "This election is going as l say anG anyone protesting will be dealt With severely and quickly" is what Magill is said to have informed the citizens
 Election Begins
 At 2:30 o'clock in the afternoon Ma gills crowd started toward the little school house and entered the large room where Magill presided. School was dismissed and Magill announced that an election would be immediately held. About this time there were 20 or so of Magill's followers in the room and five who wanted to have voice in the nomination and electjon. Others had sent word that they would arrive when the polls were open, 1t being understood that two tickets would be placed in the field. Magill presided and without waiting for sec onds to the nominations declared the following nominated: G. Singer for treasurer; Carl Pederson for clerk, and Aleck Demedoff as third member. Magill declared that the nominations were closed. Noftsger protested anc said that there were others to be nom- mated. Magill informed him where to get off at but Fl. M. Pratt, notary from Hope, who was visiting his wife, informed Magill that other nomina- tions could be made and in fact that the proceedings so far were absolute | ly illegal.
 One Clique Defeated
 Magill drew in bit and permitted { Noftsger to nominate Bob Dawson, brother of Jim Dawson, the store keeper A rising vote was taken and Dawson was defeated 20 to 3, the strength of the two cliqueS.
 The five who were opposed tried to stay proceedings until 25 or 20 others could be hurried to the school house nut Magill then said that everything was off but the voting. Magill went to his room and returned with the ballot box and also the ballots, all typewritten with the names of the three nominated upon them, these ballots having been prepared several jays in advance of putting through the exclusive slate.
 Magill told the crowd to vote quick ly as the polls were going to close very soon. The Magill clique began