The Price of a Puyallup Valley Land War

From the Tacoma Ledger we get the account following the shooting at Connell's Prairie, in Pierce County, last Friday, and the causes that led to it: A number of years ago, William White purchased of J.G. Williamson, better known in the Puyallup Valley as 'Hug Williamson,' 640 acres of land, consisting of the Connell donation claim and the Williamson tract. He obtained the land by giving a mortgage for $7,000, paying the balance in cash. James McMillan bought this mortgage, which was past due for $1,000, and immediately commenced suit for foreclosure against White. The mortgage was foreclosed, and at the Sheriff’s sale, McMillan bought the property. Afterwards the latter obtained a sheriff’s deed, and the property was conveyed to Mr. A. McMillan of this city, who is the father of James, for $1. White had remained in possession with his family, refusing to move off the land after the foreclosure, still also claiming part of it under the United States land laws. The haying season having come on, James McMillan’s father sought legal advice as to what course to pursue. His attorney advised him to proceed to cut the hay and let White put him off, rather than to have trouble with White by attempting to put the latter off the land. Mr. McMillan informed his son as to the lawyer’s opinion, and James, armed with a rifle and revolver, accordingly went to the lines to cut the hay. White was cutting the hay. McMillan also started in to cut it. White came over and ordered McMillan off. McMillan, after warning his man, began to prepare to go, when White pulled his pistol from his pocket and shot at and missed McMillan. He then fired another shot and missed McMillan again. (It is claimed, on the other hand, that McMillan fired the first shot.) McMillan then took his rifle from his wagon and shot at and missed White. McMillan’s team starting up, he turned to stop them, and then White shot a third time, the ball entering McMillan’s skull about three inches back of his right ear. McMillan then fell, and White grabbed McMillan’s gun and struck him over the head. McMillan died about 8 o’clock p.m. Before McMillan died, White and his eldest son, who was present at the shooting, started for Tacoma. They said they were going to give themselves up to the authorities. McMillan leaves a wife and five children, who at present are living on Chambers Creek, near Steilacoom. White has since delivered himself up to the Sheriff.