The Strange Disappearance of James Colman and Wilbur Patten

About noon yesterday, as the militia companies were forming lines preparatory to receiving the final address from the Commander-in-Chief, Governor Squire, two men approached Sheriff McGraw and told him that a murder had most likely been committed on Lake Washington. One of the men was Charles A. Anderson, a farmer living on the west side of the lake. He had heard of the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Colman and his companion and commenced a search. About 8 o'clock yesterday morning they found the new skiff in which Mr. Colman had started for Seattle. The boat was found on the northwest side of Mercer Island. In it was found a coat belonging to Mr. Colman, a number of papers, and a set of false teeth. The seats of the boat were covered with blood, and Mr. Anderson said that when he lifted one of the oar locks his hand became covered with blood. One of the oars was broken.

From Mr. D. C. Kenyan it was learned that Wilbur Patten and his sister Laura were staying at his home in South Seattle. Wilbur, a young man between 14 and 16 years of age, had been living there since last November and attending the Central School. Last Sunday morning he accompanied a young neighbor named Wilson to the home of J. M. Colman, at the mouth of May Creek. Mr. Colman persuaded him to wait and go with him early Monday morning, saying that they could land at the Jackson Street wharf and save time. About 6:30 Monday morning they left in a new and staunch skiff. Mrs. Colman watched them until they rounded a point of Mercer Island. This was the last seen of the men or boat until the skiff was picked up on Mercer Island.

A man of unsavory reputation known as 'Pirate' Miller, and his sons, are suspected of the murder of these two men. Last Saturday, a bailiff of the District Court served a summons upon J. M. Colman and another upon Mr. Miller, calling upon them to appear in court on Monday at 10 a.m. to testify concerning a case against Miller, involving a question of title to land. Miller knew that Colman would start Monday morning to testify in court against him. Two men on the northern end of Mercer Island noticed Miller early Monday morning watching the lake anxiously with a glass. Sheriff McGraw arrived in the city at 1 o'clock this morning bringing Miller and one of his sons as prisoners. They made no resistance when arrested.