The 'Whitecap' Land Pirates of Lake Wenatchee

A well-organized gang of 'whitecaps' exists and commits depredations in the vicinity of Lake Wenatchee and Mason Creek, both in Okanogan County. The band consists of about twelve persons, and they seem to be organized for a specific purpose. They are all located on unsurveyed government land and make a business of locating newcomers on like realty, charging for these services from $75 to $300. Members of the organization are engaged in trapping and, of course, become thoroughly familiar with the lay of the country. They spy out the best pieces of land, always on unsurveyed government tracts, throw up a few logs, and claim that the piece of land is owned by someone in the neighborhood. When a would-be settler comes along, they take him in charge and offer to secure the land for him for a stated sum. If the settler refuses to pay the price and locates regardless of them, he will soon be waited upon in the still watches of the night by the whitecaps, who plunder his cabin, tear down his improvements, and give the victim of their ill will one hour in which to leave the country. Two outrages similar to this have recently been committed, and it has been ascertained that E. W. Montgomery is soon to be waited upon and ordered to leave. These atrocities are having a marked deteriorating effect on the settlement and prosperity of the lake country. Honest, industrious citizens with families are deterred from attempting to settle, and, for the most part, a rich section is given over to the hands of the lawless.