A Saloon Shooting Becomes a First-Degree Murder Case
Harry L. Fraser died after Paul Page's revolver went off at the Northern Hotel saloon. Page will be charged with murder as Fraser's widow takes his body home to California.
The remains of Harry L. Fraser, who died at Providence Hospital yesterday morning at 3 o'clock from the effects of the wound inflicted by Paul Page's revolver at the Northern Hotel saloon last Tuesday morning, will be shipped to Stockton, Cal., tomorrow afternoon at 1:10 o'clock over the Northern Pacific Railroad. Mrs. Fraser will accompany the body.
Private arrangements have not been made, but it is now proposed to hold services at Bonney Stewart's chapel tomorrow morning at 10 o'clock. Rev. Clark Davis will be asked to officiate. Fraser was a member of Court Friar Tuck, No. 2, A.O.F., which will take charge of the services.
When Page was made acquainted yesterday with the fact of Fraser's death he showed deep regret. Prosecuting Attorney Massey said yesterday afternoon that he will immediately file an information in the municipal court charging Page with murder in the first degree. There is some discussion over this by those who have followed the case, as some are inclined to think the facts would warrant a charge in the second degree rather than the first degree, which alleges premeditation.
“He died at Providence Hospital yesterday morning at 3 o'clock from the effects of the wound inflicted by Paul Page's revolver at the Northern Hotel saloon last Tuesday morning.”
The Fraser case shows how a single saloon shooting could become a public drama of guilt, union ritual and legal strategy. Today, gun violence and prosecutorial discretion remain at the center of Seattle's debates over public safety.
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