Digital Bob Archive

JULY 20, 1883-Richard Rennie is dead, and his two suspected assailants are under guard in the old Navy barracks on the hill west of town. Rennie lived about 24 hours after he was assaulted, but the story differs somewhat from the original report. It seems that Rennie and Martin did exchange cabins during a drinking spree the night of the 17th. Later that night, an Indian broke into Martin?s cabin and stole a bottle of whiskey. Rennie woke up and struck the Indian, who ran away. The Indians drank the whiskey and went to sleep near the trail.

Martin found the Indians next morning and gave them more whiskey. Then Martin and Rennie had a quarrel because Martin said the stolen whiskey was his and the Indians were his friends. Rennie said the Indians needed to be taught a lesson and he took a bungstarter and went after them. In the ensuing flight, Rennie was hit with a club and knocked unconscious. Martin and a Russian named Zackaloff witnessed the fight but did not interfere.

The matter was reported to the constable, who took several men with him to arrest the Indians, both of whom are said to be from Sitka. One is know as ?Cut Nose Jim? and the other as Charley Green, but their Indians names are said to be Kajun-sad and Kan-at-ee-ish. When the posse tried to arrest Cut Nose Jim, another Sitka Indian known as Boxer helped him resist. His name is said to be Kak-ee-sak-ush. Both were captured and taken to the Navy barracks where they were handcuffed and placed in leg irons. Charley Green was captured this morning and was also placed in confinement at the barracks. Two men were detailed to take turns guarding them.

There were some demands for an immediate trial of the two men by a miner?s court, but the Executive Committee decided that they should be turned over to the Naval authorities at Sitka. They will either be sent there on the next trip of the mail steamer, in about 10 days, or turned over to the first Naval vessel that arrives here. Several miners who had employed Charley Green and Cut Nose Jim as packers spoke up for them and citizens as a whole are inclined to blame Rennie and Martin for the affair. There is talk of running Martin out of camp. As for Boxer, he was sentenced to serve 30 days in the guardhouse for his part in the affair. When the sentence was made known to him he announced that he will make it hot for the chairman of the committee when he gets out. Thereupon, another 30 days was added to his sentence.