Page:The Overland Monthly, Jan-June 1894.djvu/244

180 four years ago. He had completed his first term, and started to return home on muleback. A grand banquet had been, prepared to celebrate his arrival at the Fort. But the time at which he was due came and passed, and the Judge did not appear. A search party was organized, and went down the valley to the place (now owned by Hon. Guy Haines) where the first mission built in Eastern Washington stood. It was at this time used as a wayside inn. The Judge, it was learned, had passed two days before, going toward the Fort.

The party turned back, and going northward three and one-half miles, found the Judge's body. It had been dragged about one hundred and fifty yards from the road, and deposited in a hole made by the uprooting of a tree. It had been partially covered over, but enough was left exposed to betray the presence of a corpse by the odor, which guided the searchers. The body was buried close by, and a pile of rocks placed above it to mark the resting-place of Stevens County's first legislator. The Indians of the neighborhood painted all the trees about the grave a deep red; but the trees are all gone long ago, and no mark but the pile of rocks is left.

A few days later, a posse in charge of F. Wolf, Sheriff of Stevens County, went out to find the murderer. It proved unexpectedly easy. They had no sooner reached the Spokane reservation than they noticed a young squaw wearing a gold watch and chain. They obtained leave to examine it, and it was found to be Judge Watson's. The girl was then forced to tell how it came into her possession. Her sweetheart had given it to her. The only thing left to do was to find her sweetheart, and it was soon done. He was immediately arrested, and made a full confession. He had waylaid and assassinated the traveler for the sake of plunder, and had taken from the body, besides the watch and chain, about seventy dollars in cash. He told the authorities where the money was buried, but so far it has not been found.

The Indian was taken to Fort Colville, and his trial was begun; but before it was completed he was seized by a mob and hanged.

W. Arthur Jones.