A Political Duel on the Streets of Ellensburg
A courtroom dispute between two prominent local Democrats spilled into the street, ending in gunfire and an arrest.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A disgraceful affair took place on the street here this afternoon in which two prominent Democratic politicians were the actors. Yesterday in the superior court, A. B. Slemmons impeached the veracity of V. Frost, ex-chairman of the Democratic county committee. This so angered Frost that he called him a vile name in open court, for which he was fined $10. Today he purchased a revolver and on meeting Slemmons began a tirade of abuse. Slemmons was unarmed, and felt compelled to take it for awhile, as he could see Frost's hand on the revolver, but it finally became unbearable and he advanced, when Frost pulled the pistol and fired. He says the weapon was prematurely discharged, but at any rate the bullet went through the sidewalk about half way between the two. Officers quickly arrested Frost, and his examination on a charge of assault to commit murder immediately took place. He was bound over in $250. The sympathy of all, regardless of party, is with Slemmons as he is a man of character and very popular.
“the bullet went through the sidewalk about half way between the two.”
This incident captures the intense, often violent nature of local party politics in the 1890s. The shift from courtroom decorum to street-level gun violence reflects a volatile era of civic engagement in the Washington territory/state transition.
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