The Devil's Dance at the Hop Ranch

A bloody tragedy occurred at Pat Hayes' hop ranch near Orillia late Saturday night, in which an aged Indian doctor named Peter was almost beaten to death by Patrick Slade, another Indian. Information of the affair was brought to the city yesterday noon. Arrivals from the scene later in the day declared that the old man's death was sure to come in a few hours. Slade escaped after the trouble, but was captured on Ballast Island yesterday afternoon by Lieutenant Brennan and Officer Sam Corbett. He practically admits having attacked the doctor, but attributes it to whisky. Old Doctor Peter lived at Port Madison and Patrick Slade came from Port Washington. Both had been working during the hop picking season at Hayes' ranch, and Saturday night attended a dance. There were many Indians there, and, contrary to the laws of state and nation, 'fire water' was handed around. The Indians say it was brought by white men. Patrick Slade got more than his share, and became proportionally ugly. When Doctor Peter tried to quiet him, Patrick stretched himself to his full stature and yelled: 'You old wretch, what have you got to do with this business? You haven't got any strings on me.' Peter made some remark that was smothered by the sound of the blow that laid him flat on the ground. With the prostrate form before him, Patrick jumped upon Peter's breast, ground his heels into the flesh and then jumped up and down in savage glee. Not satisfied, he kicked the helpless man in the face, drove his jawbone out of place, and would have made jelly of him if Indian John Jones had not interfered. Then Patrick turned on Jones and the latter had to flee for his life.