Olympia, Washington Territory January 29, 1870, Saturday Washington Standard A Terrible Tragedy Steilacoom, Jan. 22.--The Vigilance Committee of Pierce county shot at GIBSON and McDANIEL this morning, about seven o'clock, on their way to town. GIBSON was mortally wounded; McDANIEL escaping with one buckshot in his arm. The Committee, numbering from forty to fifty, arrived in town at about a quarter past one this afternoon, and shot McDANIEL dead. After shooting McDANIEL, the Committee then took charge of GIBSON, intending to take him to jail, as none of the hotels would admit him. On the way, GIBSON made a grab at one of the men's revolvers, which went off and shot HIGHSTREAM in the foot. The Committee then shot GIBSON dead--one ball going through him and wounding LEGARD in the leg. Steillacoom, Jan. 23--10:20 A.M.--It appears in relation to the shooting yesterday, that one B. GIBSON, formerly of Idaho, and who rumor said was an escaped murderer, some time since jumped the land claim of Charles WREN, of Victoria, and was made to vacate it by a Justice's Court subsequently. The same man jumped the claim, was arrested, and brought to trial on Friday last before E. R. ROGERS, J. P., who granted GIBSON a continuance until Saturday at 1 o'clock. On Friday night it seems that Chas. McDANIEL and said GIBSON rode to several farm houses in the county, and threatened bodily injury to the owners, among the number to McLain CHAMBERS. The impression now prevailed that said McDANIEL was an accomplice of GIBSON's, and upon such impression the citizens of Muck Prairie formed themselves into a Vigilance Committee, and started in pursuit of the jumpers. Early on Saturday morning, at a point about five miles from town, GIBSON was shot, supposed mortally, and was brought to the city. Meanwhile McDANIEL had entered the city, and made boisterous demonstrations, and while doing so the Vigilance Committee came in with the body of GIBSON; and surrounded McDANIEL at WESTBROOK's Saloon. McDANIEL disarmed himself of all weapons excepting a large knife, and wanted to make a statement, but would not be listened to, when one of the Committee cried out: "Shoot the son of a b-----." McDANIEL then ran through the alley-way, jumped over the railing, and was making his way out between WOOD's law office (formerly) and CATE's building, when a ball entered his left temple, and he fell. After struggling about three hours, he died. GIBSON in the meantime, was taken up on the hill beyond the jail, when lo! and behold he raised up and grabbed John HIGHSTREAM's pistol and made fight, firing two shots--the balls taking effect in the legs of Joe LEGARD and HIGHSTREAM, but wounding them very slightly. GIBSON was then shot through the head, and died instantly. The bodies were taken charge of by the Sisters of Charity, and will be buried to-day. The Committee has abandoned their organization, and returned home; and this has ended a most deplorable trouble. ---Intelligencer. Olympia, Washington Territory October 29, 1870, Saturday Washington Standard Pierce County Matters Proceedings of the District Court of Pierce County. Criminal Business.--Territory of Washington vs. Richard KENNEDY and others, for murder of Charles McDANIEL. Counsel for Territory; Messrs. Jas. McNAUGHT and C. M. BRADSHAW. For the prisoners, Messrs. J. E. WYCHE, W. H. WALLACE and Frank CLARK. This is the case where a Vigilance Committee killed McDANIEL and GIBSON, last winter. It occupied three days in trial, and was very ably managed on both sides. The jury were out about an hour, and returned a verdict of not guilty. The case against the same parties for the murder of GIBSON was continued until next term. Gloria Lester [email protected] >>^. .^<< ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.