An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 61

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146

USA > Washington > Kittitas County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 61
USA > Washington > Yakima County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 61
USA > Washington > Klickitat County > An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington > Part 61

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Meanwhile Marshal McGrath, in company with Officers Wallace and Hart, had proceeded to Douglas county, Washington, in quest of Ras. Lewis and the other suspects. The different print- ed accounts of their adventure are slightly at vari- ance, but no doubt that given by the Yakima Her- ald is substantially correct. That paper said : "The arrest took place at a cabin occupied by Christiansien, where the officers in the garb of min- ers applied for something to eat. When Chris- tiansien was returning from a neighboring spring with a bucket of water he was covered with three guns and ordered to throw up his hands. Instead of obeying the command he laughed, dropped the bucket and reached for two guns which he carried in his breast pocket. The officers overpowered him before he could draw, and brought him and his two companions to this city (North Yakima), where they were held in jail until taken to Ellens- burg, on the 5th."

George McCarty and R. Lewis were brought before Judge Boyle for examination. The state was represented by E. E. Wager and the defend- ants by Pruyn and Ready and by Judge C. A. Johns, of Baker City. By stipulation, the exam- ination was continued until Monday, April 17th. Bail was fixed at $10,000 each, in default of which the defendants were remanded to jail.

Attorney H. J. Snively about this time received a letter bearing date May Ist, from Rose Lewis, wife of Ras. Lewis, alias Christiansien, who, from the time of her husband's arrest, had been stopping with her mother in Salt Lake City, Utah. In this epistle she declared that she was tired of Lewis's criminality and that she was willing to assist the authorities in capturing and punishing the lawless garíg. She stated on oath that Ras. Lewis, her husband, George, Bill, Tom, Fred and Nellie Mc- Carty were the only persons who took a hand in the bank raid. The plans for the robbery were laid at Ephrata, Douglas county, Washington, in Ras. Lewis's home; and after the robbery a part of the gang returned to that point.

The following is a verbatim copy of a part of the letter: "I am the living witness that George McCarty, Bill McCartv, Ras. Lewis, alias Ras. Christiansien, Tom McCarty, alias Williams, Fred McCarty and Nellie McCarty are the only indi- viduals interested in the above robbery. This. your honor, judge and gentlemen of the jury. I swear by the powers of all heaven and the right of our government, as an honest citizen, the wife

of Ras. Lewis, alias Christiansien. Now as for dates, as near as I can remember, about the Ioth of September, they just met to our house planning the robbery, they left about the 12th. In about two weeks Ras. Lewis went to them and returned either the Ist or 2d of October. That was the last I saw of them until November 12th, 1892, when Billy, Tom and Fred McCarty came there to plan tor another robbery and would have gone but for my interference. I swear to what my sister, Saralı Jane Morgan, has said, that it is the truth only, so help me God. Rosa Willard is my marriage name, Christiansien in Oregon, Lewis in Washington. Am also witness for five other robberies, train, bank, and store.

"Their secret names: Tom McCarty, Walluke; Billy McCarty, Fire-Foot; George McCarty, Craps; Fred McCarty, Kid; Ras. Lewis, Dia- mond Dick; Nellie McCarty, Sparta, Queen of the Forest."

On Sunday afternoon, May 21st, the day be- fore the trial, George McCarty and Ras. Lewis made a bold break for liberty. It was customary to allow the prisoners the freedom of the corridors between the hours of nine and four. McCarty and Lewis were given their dinner at the customary hour, shortly after one o'clock, and everything seemed as usual, but the highwaymen had their plans made and were only waiting for an oppor- tunity to put them into execution. By means of a crowbar, a hole was quickly made in the brick wall, and through this the robbers crawled. They then ran across the yard and jumped the fence to the street. Under the sidewalk they found two revolvers secreted there by some of their confed- erates, and these they took with them. They start- ed down Sixth street. Soon they were discovered by a couple of men who gave the alarm and started in pursuit. At Water street the fugitives turned north toward the Catholic church, shooting at their pursuers as they turned and hitting a man named Hayes in the arm. At this critical juncture, Mose Bollman and O. B. Castle appeared in front of the robbers, coming in a buggy from a hunting trip. Mr. Bollman, quickly taking in the situation, pro- ceeded to use his shot gun, and soon both fugi- tives were wounded with fine shot. Being thus attacked from the front, the fleeing men ran across a residence block to Mr. Clymer's house, where they hid behind a projection. Here they were dis- covered by Charles Pond, whom they drove back with their revolvers. Mr. Helm sought to per- suade them that their course was a foolish one, but arguments were answered effectually by two ugly looking weapons shoved in his face. Soon the officers and a large force of men arrived on the- scene and the prisoners withdrew to Clymer's house, where were Mrs. Clymer and her son alone, neither of whom the fugitives offered to harmn. Presently the escaped prisoners found themselves confronted with two shot guns loaded with buck.

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shot and concluding that further resistance was useless, they allowed themselves to be led back to jail by Marshal McGrath and Deputy Sheriff Banks.

A Winchester rifle and belt of cartridges were found under the sidewalk, where the prisoners had taken the revolvers, and a further search of the jail and prisoners resulted in the discovery of two small saw frames and eighteen blades, an inch drill and a one-half inch bit and brace. The escape was certainly well planned and failed of success only because of the prompt action of officers and by-standers. It is supposed that the prisoners were to meet two men, who were seen approach- ing town on horses without saddles, but miscalcu- lated the time.

On the following day, May 22d, the case of Lewis was called. In selecting a jury the regular panel was exhausted as were also special venires of one hundred and forty-six before the following were secured: Elmer Goodwin, William McMil- lan, George P. Bradley, A. Anderson, Joseph Preece, Edgar Pease, R. M. Osborne, John Ben- son, A. Jensen, W. A. Scribner, Stanley Ames, and Jones.

The first witness called was Cashier Aber- nethy, who testified to the facts heretofore nar- rated concerning the manner in which the robbery was accomplished. Then Mrs. S. J. Morgan, sis- ter-in-law of Lewis, was called. She testified that in September, 1892, she was living with the Lewis family at Ephrata, Douglas county, Washington, where they were keeping a restaurant; that about the middle of September Lewis went away and was gone three weeks; that before going he had told his wife he was about to rob a bank; that upon his return he told her he had robbed the Ros- lyn bank, and had brought back the proceeds in a belt made for the purpose at Coulee City: that she helped count the money, which amounted to about $1,100. She testified that before he went away three of the McCarty boys had visited him, and that he rode a gray horse belonging to a neighbor on the trip, telling the owner he was going to Rock Island on a real estate deal. The horse was wounded in the jaw, a fact which Lewis explained as having been caused by cutting out glanders. She said she was sent to Waterville for papers giv- ing the news of the robbery.

Ole Hanson testified that on the night of Sep- tember 24, 1892, Lewis, in company with four others, came to his cabin on the Teanaway inquir- ing for the trail. They offered him ten dollars for his lantern, which he refused. They then offered him ten dollars to guide them to the trail. This he did. They went to a log cabin where they had left their horses a few days before. They told Hanson of the robbery, and threatened to kill him if he informed on them. After giving him the ten dollars as agreed they struck him in the face with a revolver and left him.

Joe Brooks, a former partner of Lewis, testi- fied that the defendant left home about the middle of September, 1892; that he borrowed a horse be- longing to witness saying he was going to Rock Island: that he returned about ten days later, both horse and man being in an exhausted condition. He said that the McCarty boys came to the house and held secret conferences both before and after the bank robbery: that he heard them counting money in the bedroom; that Lewis wanted him to aid in the robbery of the banks; that he had vis- ited George McCarty and wife at Iron Mountain in company with Lewis. He identified the horses as belonging to the McCarty boys.

Doctor W. H. Harris, of Roslyn, testified that there were footprints of a woman among those of the men wherever the pursuers found tracks of the robbers afoot, and another witness identified the horses in the possession of the officers as the prop- erty of the McCarties.

The principal effort of the defense was directed toward discrediting the identification of Lewis. The lawyer who defended Cal Hale in the first trial of the Roslyn bank robbery case testified that Cash- ier Abernethy swore Hale was the man who took the money in the bank, and that on cross examina- tion he was the only witness who admitted he might be mistaken. The stenographer at the same trial gave evidence that Abernethy said he was satisfied in his own mind that Hale was the man, though admitting the possibility of his being in error. It was also shown that other witnesses had sworn that men other than the defendant were the men who committed the crime. At one P. M. Thursday, May 25th, the jury retired and on the following day they reported that it was impossible for them, to come to an agreement, eight standing out for conviction and four for acquittal. They were discharged.

The case of George McCarty was then taken up, and to try him the following jurors were se- lected : W. M. Stenson, J. M. Pease, W. H. Mc- Kee. C. D. Rhodes, B. A. Maxey, Ole Johnson, William Cutcheon, A. O. Fowler, William Nor- ton, F. M. Leslie, Nick Blazen and W. W. Spur- ling.

The first witnesses called were those in the Lewis trial and their testimony was about the same. James Masterson identified the prisoner as the man he had seen at his house, eight miles from Roslyn the September before, and A. L. Bridgeman testified that he had seen McCarty on September 12th about twelve miles from Roslyn, accompanied by a woman and another man. J. M. McDonald identified the defendant as the man who held the horses in front of the Roslyn bank at the time of the robbery. He also testified that he saw three horses next morning and that they were the same as those held by the officers, and that he had found cooking utensils and footprints, including those of a woman, on the trail.

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William Fisher, of Baker City, testified to hav- ing sold McCarty a horse before he left the valley. Mrs. Morgan, on being recalled, related that one of the robbers was shot by his own revolver on the retreat from Roslyn; that they crossed the river in an old boat for which they made oars; that they separated after getting ashore, and that they had deserted the horses after being fired upon by the posse from Roslyn. She also repeated the story of the cartridge belt and the counting of the stolen money in the cabin. She told about Sheriff Sim- mons, of Yakima, coming to Ephrata in search of the robbers; that Lewis sent her to the house to ascertain his (Simmons') errand, which she did. She explained that her hatred for Lewis was occa- sioned by his cruel and inhuman treatment of her sister (his wife), relating that on one occasion he had compelled her to dance at the point of a gun, and that on another occasion he drew a revolver on the witness, telling her that if she ever divulged any of his secrets he would cut off her ears and nose and otherwise disfigure her so that the dog would not look at her. Lewis also told the witness that Billie, Fred, George and Nellie McCarty went with him to rob the bank.

Joe Brooks testified that he saw Billie, Fred and Tom McCarty at Lewis' house September 12, 1892, and noticed their horses, the same ones now in Ellensburg in the hands of the officers.

The defense was opened by the calling of sev- eral witnesses to testify to the good character the accused bore at Baker City, and William McMil- lan, juror in the Lewis trial, testified that while giving testimony in it, Sarah J. Morgan had as- serted her intention to send Lewis to the peniten- tiary and that now was the opportunity. J. Ad- kins testified that on September 24, 1892, the day of the robbery, he had ridden with Lewis from Crab Creek to Rock Island.

George McCarty, the defendant, being placed on the stand, said he lived at Baker City, Oregon, and had been prospecting since 1884. He left Sumpter valley accompanied by Ras. Lewis, Tom McCarty, Mrs. Lewis and his own wife. He pros- pected through the Peshastin and Swauk during the summer, going back to Baker City in Septem- ber. He denied any connection with the Roslyn bank robbery in any way. He also denied that he had ever acknowledged that he had robbed the bank or that he had seen his brothers and Lewis ' after he had left the Columbia river. The last of September he and his wife and a man named Jones, whose whereabouts were not known, were in the Swauk and Peshastin prospecting. Mrs. Nellie McCarty, wife of the accused and known as the "Queen," substantiated her husband's testimony. She thought that they were camped on Tarpestan creek in September.

The jury again disagreed, seven voting for ac- quittal and five for conviction. Lewis and Mc- Carty were both held for another trial, but at the

September term of court they were dismissed by Judge Graves because of the inability of the state to procure the attendance of witnesses.

September 7th they were brought before Jus- tice Boyle for preliminary hearing on a charge of shooting with intent to kill on the occasion of their breaking jail in the spring, but the evidence against them was held to be insufficient to warrant their being bound over, and they were accordingly dis- charged from custody.

Regarding the fate of the other McCarties be- lieved to have been connected with the robbery, the Register of September 16, 1893, gives the following information :

"The two men killed at Delta, Colorado, on Thursday last (September 14th) while attempting to escape after robbing the Farmers' & Merchants' Bank and killing its cashier, have been positively identified as Tom and Fred McCarty, father and son. The third man, who escaped, is Billy Mc- Carty. These men are undoubtedly a part of the gang who robbed the Roslyn bank last fall, and for whom a reward of ten thousand dollars is offered on account of their having robbed stages and United States mail.

"Chief of Police Farley, of Denver, says that Tom McCarty is the man who robbed President Moffitt of the First National Bank of that city about four years ago of $21,000. Ras. Christian- sien, recently turned loose from the Kittitas county jail, was with Tom McCarty when he robbed Moffitt. George McCarty, another brother, and his brother Bill are the only members of the gang at large, but Tom being dead the country inay breathe easier. Christiansien is a Dane and the most dangerous of any of them. Billy is addicted to the habit of excessive drinking and for that rea- son has never been entrusted with the carrying out of any plans.

"Jobs beside that at Roslyn with which the Mc- Carty boys are positively identified, are the rob- bery of the San Miguel County Bank at Teluride, Colorado, in June, 1889, $22,000; Wallowa Na- tional Bank, Wallowa, Oregon, October 8th, 1891, $3,450; Farmers' Mortgage and Savings Bank, Somerville, Oregon, November 3d, 1891, $5,000."

This is the story of the Roslyn bank robbery, which in connection with a combination of circum- stances was responsible for the failure of the bank- ing house of Ben E. Snipes & Company, of which the Roslyn Bank was a branch. The Yakima Her- ald of June 15, 1893, contained the following item :

"The banking houses of Ben E. Snipes & Com- pany at Ellensburg and Roslyn closed their doors on Friday last, June 9th, being unable to weather a run made on the Roslyn Bank. The Ellensburg fire, business depression, a heavy judgment against Mr. Snipes in the Bunner-May case, extensive pur- chases of Seattle real estate on a dull market, loss of cattle and low prices of beef, the Roslyn bank robbery and cost of prosecution, together with ina-

Stacking Alfalfa

Haplus Creek

A Pioneer's Homestead.

KITTITAS COUNTY SCENES.

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bility to realize on securities, all contributed to bring about the suspension. The liabilities of the Roslyn and Ellensburg banks are $192,000, while the assets are estimated as $310,000. Much sym- pathy is expressed here for Mr. Snipes."

When the Ellensburg Bank failed to open its doors the company posted the following notice :

"This bank is temporarily suspended owing to other bank failures. Deposits have been steadily decreasing and money is so scarce that it is impos- sible to realize on anything at present. No deposi- tor will lose a dollar by our suspension as we have ample resources to cover all.

"We hope to resume in a short time.

"Ben E. Snipes & Company."

Mr. Abrams, junior member of the firm, made the following statement about the failure:

"The story is a long one and goes back to the beginning of the hard times which in this locality was precipitated by the big fire of 1889. The main cause which has led to the climax is the strin- gency of the money market, which is similar to that of 1873. Were the times ordinarily good, the present condition of the bank would be considered sound and business could proceed without embar- rassment. We have had a series of misfortunes that aided in precipitating the suspension. First, the loss by robbery to the Roslyn branch bank, which was no greater than the effect it had on the credit of the bank as a depository. To this add $8,000 expense in the prosecution of the robbers. Second, an ugly rumor was circulated last winter, seriously affecting the standing of the firm in this city, which at that time was gilt edge. Yet the story had its effect. Deposits have been steadily and constantly withdrawn, while but two small ones were made. I have felt for some time that there was an undermining, pernicious influence at work against us, but whether it is of a local nature or from elsewhere I am unable to say; neither do I understand the nature of it. Yet it has existed and has made the struggle all the harder to bear. Lastly, a run on the branch bank at Roslyn began Wednesday (June 7th) and culminated yesterday in drawing our funds from this bank to meet the demands there. I have no idea what caused the run, but it came and crippled us. The affairs of the bank are such that all the depositors will be paid in full, and is expected will resume business in a week or ten days at the outset."

Early in December, 1893, I. N. Powers, of El- lensburg, was appointed receiver by Judge Graves, of the Superior court, and he took charge about the 19th of that month. His annual report. dated March 20, 1894, shows the total assets of the estate of Ben E. Snipes and Ben E. Snipes & Company to be $354,805.43, and the total liabilities. $280,- 054.89. From this it would seem that the cred- itors in course of time would surely receive all that was due them, and that some would be left for Snipes and his partners. Not so. however.

In his report dated December 31, 1896, Receiver Power estimated the total assets at that time at $310,189.35 and the total liabilities $246,463.54. March 1, 1898, Dr. P. P. Gray, also of Ellensburg, succeeded to the receivership, Dr. Power having resigned. March 29, 1900, Gray reported that, act- ing under orders of the court, he made repeated efforts to dispose of all the assets in his possession at both public and private sale, that on a portion of the real estate he could get no bid whatever above the taxes then due; that $9,962 of warrants and $19,957.10 of asset notes, shown as credit balances on the books of Receiver Power were in the hands of the Merchants' National Bank of Seattle, and never came into his possession ; and that $8,147.34 in notes reported in possession of the Washington National Bank of Seattle proved a total loss to the receivership, as did some rents due. "The results," said Gray, "of the efforts to sell the asset judg- ments, overdrafts Ellensburg, overdrafts Roslyn, cash items, Roslyn, and bills receivable, Ellens- burg, proved very unsatisfactory in the amount ob- tained for the receivership. Where any bid could be secured it was for a very small fraction of the listed values and for a great portion the only bid obtained was one of two dollars for the unsold lot."

The Ellensburg bank property, listed at $22,500, was sold by Gray for $10,350; the balance of the May ranch and North Yakima lots, listed at $9,830, sold for $1,500; a number of pay checks drawn on Railroad Contractor G. W. Hunt, listed at $2,015.40, sold for $1.50; asset judgments, Ellensburg bank overdrafts, Roslyn bank overdrafts, Ellensburg bank bills receivable and other items amounting in all to $140,815.07, were disposed of for $564.41. March I, 1900, according to official figures, the ag- gregate liabilities were $234.062.72, while the re- sources had dwindled to $42,369.93, of which $33,568.98 were in real estate. None of the cred- itors received more than 9.55 per cent. of their claims.

While it is said that the Snipes banks loaned money recklessly, it is still hard to understand wliv assets of such great apparent value should, in such good times as prevailed for years before the receiv- ership ended, return so little in actual cash. The failure caused much distress in Kittitas county, probably a majority of whose citizens were directly affected by it. Many have severely criticised the judges, receivers and all others connected with the management of the estate.

Unfortunately the failure of these banks was but the beginning of financial disaster and busi- ness depression, which was general throughout the country, and from the effects of which no section wholly escaped. The next bank to close its doors in the county was the Ellensburg National. Thurs- day morning. July 27th, H. W. Thielsen drew the curtains and posted the following notice on the door :

"Owing to continued shrinkage in our deposits,

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and our inability to realize on our securities, this bank is obliged to temporarily suspend payment. Our resources are ample and no depositor will lose a dollar."

As a result of the business energy of the bank officers, the Ellensburg National was able to re- sume business by October 23, 1893. The manner in which it recovered its standing in the face of financial depression of the time reflects great credit on the management. We are informed that at the time of suspension the bank stood a drain of sev- enty-five per cent. of the deposits, having paid $140,000 in cash within that year.

It was not alone the financial interests of the county that suffered from the panic of 1893 and the hard times ensuing. The farmers and stock- men were also greatly affected by the low prices and poor market for their products. Especially did the sheep industry suffer during this year of unprecedented financial depression. The Wilson bill, practically placing wool on the free list, had struck a blow at the sheep raising business from which it would take years to recover. The Capi- tal, of November 30, 1893, gives the following in- terview with J. H. Smithson :

"Speaking of my own case, and every sheep man's experience has been the same, last year I sold my clip for $3,600 without any trouble. This year the clip from the same band netted $1,265. Be- sides this the price of mutton is extremely low now ; in fact, it can scarcely be sold at any price. Con- trast the price of wool last year, 15 cents, with the present price of 5 cents, and you can easily see the sheep men cannot afford to feed, because, cheap as feed is, it does not take a sheep long to eat its head off. The sheep men will naturally take chances and turn the animals into the hills. If the snow is not too deep, they will come out all right ; but a deep, lasting snow will practically wipe them out."

The crops for the year were exceptionally. good, a fact which in part compensated for the ex- ceptionally low prices. The Register of July 29, 1893, informs us that : "Kittitas county will har- vest this year the biggest crop ever raised within its confines. Wheat is headed out in large full heads and upon good stocks. Never in the history of this valley has vegetation been so rank. The yield per acre in hay and all cereals promises to be phenomenal, and it will require every moment of time until winter sets in to handle the crop. The snowfall last winter, the late spring with consider- able rain are conditions that have proven what water will do in Kittitas county, and although the natural supply has not quite met requirements, the result is the biggest crop ever known here."

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An illustrated history of Klickitat, Yakima and Kittitas counties; with an outline of the early history of the state of Washington, Part 61

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1904 Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company Number of Pages: 1146

Author: Interstate publishing co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1904
Publisher: [Chicago] Interstate publishing company
Number of Pages: 1146