Fatal Crap Game at the Franklin Coal Mines

A fight among miners occurred in the Oregon Improvement Company saloon at Franklin on Saturday night, in which Julius Armstrong, a negro miner, was shot in the head and killed by another colored miner named Morton. C. Brittain, also colored, was probably fatally cut with a razor by Armstrong during the melee. It was pay day Saturday at the mines, and as soon as the men received their wages, a dozen or more went to the saloon and started a game of craps. The game ran until about midnight, when Armstrong, who had lost all he had except 75 cents, placed that amount on the table. Brittain and Morton were playing in the same game and it was Brittain's turn to throw. Armstrong lost his money and immediately accused Brittain of 'monkeying' with the dice. Brittain denied the charge, and after a few angry words, Armstrong drew a razor and slashed Brittain across the arms and shoulders. While blood spurted over the table, the others fled. Morton returned in a moment, took aim at Armstrong with a revolver, and fired. The bullet struck the man between the eyes, killing him instantly. Morton surrendered to the constable and was jailed, while the saloon was cleaned and the gambling resumed within half an hour.