What a great story to share. Found it to be very interesting and entertaining even though no relatives of mine for genealogy research. Sandie Morrison -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Friday, June 08, 2001 2:17 AM Subject: A Terrible Tragedy >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. > >