VoL 9.
Weekly: Rampart, Alaska, Saturday, August 19, 1905. No. 8
4.
Jury Decides Owens Killed
* •
Christianson in Self-defense
Fairbanks Jury Render Verdict Acquitting Harry Owens—Court
Erred in First Trial—Circuit Court Orders New Trial
The steamer Leah brought the news
from Fairbanks that Harry Owens was
acquitted by the jury which heard the
evidence at his second trial.
Owens was first tried for the murder
of his .former partner Christianson at
Eagle in 1902. Owens pleaded that he
killed Christianson in self-defense. A
i
jury found Owens guilty of manslaugh
ter, after listening to one of the most
unfair and- biased charges ever heard
in a court, according to lawyers pre
sent.
Judge Wickersham sentenced Owens
to 25 years’ imprisonment at McNeil’s
island penitentiary. In passing sen
tence, the judge informed Owens that
he was sorry he could not give him the
death sentence. Not content with this
unwarranted display of personal ani
mosity, it i3 reliably stated that Judge
Wickersham wrote a letter to the war
den of the penitentiary, branding the
unfortunate man as a dangerous mal
efactor, and that all precautions should
surround him. This resulted in Owens
being transferred at the first opportun
ity to San Quentin penitentiary. The
latter prison is where the most desper
ate criminals are confined, and life at
McNeil’s is a bed of roses compared
to that at San Quention, where Owens
spent two years pending his appeal.
Louis K. Pratt defended Owens and
was so thoroughly convinced of his cli
ent’s innocence that he has labored un
ceasingly in his behalf, defraying the
greater part of the expenses himself,
and receiving nothing for his services.
Attorney Pratt took an appeal to the
Circuit court court of appeals and se
cured an order for a new trial owing to
the charge given the jury by the lower
court. This is the trial that has just
resulted in acquittal—that Owens killed
Christianson in self-defense. Owens
is covered with scars that he will carry
to his grave; marks of the butcher
knife wielded by Christianson when he
attacked Owens.
Juiy in Trespass Case
Were Uhable to Agree
The trial of S. R. Hudson,.. charged
with criminal trespass on a mining
claim on the north fork of Pioneer al
leged to be the property of 0. A. Div
er, was held yesterday afternoon. A
jury of twelve was empanelled, but
no verdict could be agreed upon. The
jury stood 7 for acquittal and 5 for
conviction. Another trial will be held
Monday morning.
Big Minook Dredger
Landed Last Evening
The big dredger, designed by John
Stanley, was landed last evening from
the steamer J. J. Healy. The entire
shipment amounts to some forty tons.
Work will be rushed and it is planned
to have the dredge deliver itself on 8
Big Minook with its own power. The
machine will make a good showing if
it can be put to work before the cold
weather sets in.
Revenue Cutters
Not Available.
Private Citizens Respond to Appeals
For Relief of Shipwrecked Crew of
American Schooner Barbara Hernster
NOME, Aug. 5—Schooner Barbara
Hernster, Capt. Lampe, struck an un
charted reef at the entrance of Plover
bay on July 28. A dense fog and heavy
sea prevailed and the schooner is a to
tal loss. All on board were saved by
taking life boats and landing on the
beach 600 yards away. Count Podhos
ki and Agent Lippe, of the Northeast
Siberian company, several prominent
Russians and a party of American pros
pectors, together with M. Swanson,
wife and child, also a crew of 13.
The vessel was bound for Anadyr bay.
The mate A. Paulson, with two sailors
arrived at Nome in a small whaling
boat, in a very much exhaused condi
tion. They were 65 huurs in crossing
Behring* eea, whicn was very stormy.
Count Podhoski called for volunteers
and every man responded, two of whom
were chosen for the viyage. Relief
will be sent from Nome at once.
Well-known Sourdough
Strikes The Paystreak
Gordon Betties has secured a good
piece of ground in the new Kantishna
diggings. Mrs. Betties recieved letters
from her husband in last mail apprising
her of his good fortune. He panned
out over $500 in a short time. About
300 men are in the new district. Ben
Baker is building a trading post at the
new townsite. sThe steamers Tanana
Chief and Jennie M are running on the
'Kantishna.
The Sarah is due with mail Monday.