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The
following is from the Oregon Heralds:
Walla
Walla, Sept 23, 1870
A
gentleman just down from the Nez Perce country furnishes the following
account of a cold-blooded murder perpetrated at Camas Prairie, on the
night of the 15th. It
seems that a man named Peters Walters, the owner of a saw mill, met one
of his workmen, named Joseph Yates, for
the purpose of having a settlement.
They met at Brown’s house, and made their settlement without
difficulty. Walters paid Yates several hundred dollars.
The business over, Walters went to the door and in a few moments
called for Yates to come out. On
going to the door, Walters addressed Yates as follows:
“Well, sir, you have got the money; I don’t owe you
anything.” To which Yates
replied: “Yes, It’s all
settled:” when Walters
said to Yates; “I’ve got another settlement to make with you.”
And immediately drew his revolver and fired twice, both balls
taking effect. Yates lived
several hours after being shot, but from the first, death was
inevitable. The shooting occasioned great excitement and for a time there
was talk of mob execution, but finally better counsel prevailed and the
party was arrested and sent to jail.
Both the parties to the tragedy were single men, and have
heretofore stood fair in the community.
The only explanation of the shooting was that Yates had made
remarks reflecting upon Walter’s integrity, and it is supposed that
this coming to his knowledge, he determined to take Yates’ life.
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