The Siege and Tragedy at Friday Harbor

A gentleman who arrived yesterday on the steamer Evangel, direct from Friday Harbor, San Juan County, detailed to a reporter the particulars of a horrible tragedy that had just taken place. About ten days ago, a resident of Friday Harbor named James Riker went over to Shaw’s Island on a hunting trip, expecting to be gone but a short time. He did not return, and his friends became alarmed lest he had accidentally shot himself or been foully dealt with. Among the settlers on Shaw’s Island was a well-to-do but eccentric farmer named Hugh Park, who lived there by himself. Park was of Scotch parentage and formerly lived in Canada. His place is directly opposite Friday Harbor and about a quarter of a mile inland from the beach. Last Friday, Sheriff John Kelly, with one or two companions, started out to find the missing man. As they approached Park’s place, they noticed a mound of fresh dirt in the ground, and nearing the house, found it closed. Sheriff Kelly went to the door and knocked. Park answered, 'Who’s there?' The Sheriff replied, 'It is John Kelly, I want to come in and stay all night.' 'What are you doing over here?' was the next question. 'Oh, I came over on an assessing expedition,' replied the Sheriff. 'That’s too thin,' replied the eccentric individual. 'This is not the time for assessing.' When the Sheriff asked for a drink of water, Park replied: 'Get to hell out of this, or I’ll give you a drink of hot blood!' Sheriff Kelly returned to Friday Harbor, swore out a warrant against Park for insanity, and returned to watch the place. During Friday evening, the guards saw Park come out dragging a heavy body, which proved to be the remains of James Riker. Park laid the body near the trail, folded the murdered man’s arms across his breast, and ran back to his house. On Monday, Wilbur Wilson, a member of the Sheriff’s party, attempted to break in. Wilson struck the door with a maul, it flew open, and he saw Park crouched behind the stove holding a Winchester rifle at full cock. Park fired, and Wilson fell dead, pierced through the head. The Sheriff’s party then soaked a ball of hay in coal oil and set fire to the house to drive the occupant out. While the house burned, Park fired another shot, and shortly after, his burned remains were found inside. Thus closed one of the most horrible tragedies that ever took place in the San Juan archipelago.