The Murder of a

Cariboo Miner

“The Boy of Barkerville,” the Author of this Story, Was Living in Barkerville
at the Time of the Murder, and Was “Right in the Thick of It.” It Has Never

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THE AUTHOR

James Buie Leighton, J.P., of Savona,
has, in years gone by, been a frequent
contributor to the columns of the ‘Kamloops
Sentinel” and the “Ashcroft Journal,” draw-
ing from his keen and accurate memory
many a splendid tale of the stirring years
that have passed him by so lightly.

Born in Scotland November 5, 1851, he
came to North America with his parents
when two years of age, but was an orphan
before he was 13. He was adopted by his
uncle, Thomas R. Buie of Victoria, in 1863.
Mr. Buie owned a store in Barkerville, then
at the height of its glory as the largest gold
camp in the world, and young Leighton
was sent there, where he earned the nick-
name “The ‘Boy of Barkerville.”

He seemed to have the faculty of know-
ing everyone and all that went on, and a
memory that tucked it all away in proper
sequence. In all of his published reminis-
cences none has ever been able to point
a finger at a faulty date, wrong name or
a story that wandered from a factual basis.

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THE WRITER was living in Barkerville
when the news came that the murder of
i Cariboo miner was committed near Soda
Creek. This was in October, 1866. When
he mining was over any time in October
mn account of the water freezing, about 60
Der cent of the miners went down country
0 winter. Stage fare from Barkerville to
Yale was $125 one way and while the stage
company had all they could handle even
it that rate, still hundreds started down on
‘oot. It was claimed that a good walker
ould make the trip from Barkerville to
Yale, about 400 miles, in 15 days. By doing
30 they could make good wages.

The miners went down in groups of three
yy more, some alone. One miner who left
Soda Creek one morning packed one pair
of blankets. When he came to a creek
hat crosses the road about six miles out
‘rom Soda Creek he stopped to have a
drink and rest an hour or so, and while he
was still there two Indians came along and
rad a chat.

Some of the miners who could afford it
wore a small gold chain around their neck
ittached to a watch in the vest pocket.

SUMMER EDITION

Before Been Published in Full.

The Indians saw the chain, which looked
easy to get. One Indian was from Lillooet
and the other was of the Lytton tribe from
a Reserve 11 miles northeast known as the
Nicomen Reserve, a branch of the Lytton
Reserve. They evidently made up their
minds to get the chain. Nicomen got a

big club and struck the traveller, smashing

J. H. SULLIVAN
Pioneer member of the B. C. Police who was
stationed in the Cariboo during the gold rush.
He rose to command of the Force and was sup-
erintendent from 1872 to 1874.

in his skull, took the watch and chain and
went through his pockets. They then
started down the road but soon cut across
country to strike the river trail via Alkali
Lake to Lillooet.

Bopy Soon Founp

That same afternoon a party of three
travellers came along and found the body
in the road. One of them was a friend of
the murdered man whom he said was Lewis
Moyan, a Welshman, and that he himself
was a Welshman. They wired to Mr.
Sullivan, constable at Quesnel, about the
affair. Sullivan came post haste and had the
body taken to Soda Creek where an inquest
was held. It was disclosed that a party

By
J. B. LEIGHTON, J.P.

*

who had seen Moyan starting, shortly after
saw two Indians. The brother Welshman
stated to Sullivan “Find the watch and
chain and you will have the murderers.”
He also stated that Moyan had over one
hundred dollars on which he intended to
winter below.

Sullivan was undecided whether to go
down the road or strike across country via
Williams Lake for the River trail. Fortu-
nately he took the River trail, enquiring
as he went along. The Indians had called
in at Williams Lake and bought some grub
from Tom Manifee’s hotel. Sullivan picked
up their trail at Alkali Lake and Dog Creek
and called in at Canoe Creek where he
found what he was looking for.

Hor On TRAIL

The owners of the Canon Ranch were
Mr. and Mrs. Ritchie, original locators.
Mrs. Ritchie showed the watch and chain,
stating that she had bought them from two
Indians for $20. She had asked them where
they got the stuff and they said they had
been working for a man up the line who
did not have the cash to pay them but gave
them the watch and chain. The constable
asked Mrs. Ritchie to hold the articles
until his return.

Sullivan went fast on horseback as he
was certain he was on the right track. He
overtook the Indians at Big Bar and without
delay hand-cuffed them and started back to
Soda Creek, went up on the steamer to
Quesnel from there, and to Richfield,
Williams Creek, for a preliminary examina-
tion before Judge Cox, resident magistrate.
Mrs.. Ritchie gave her evidence about buy-
ing the watch and chain and identified the
Indians. Moyan’s friend knew the watch
and chain. The accused were committed for
trial at the Assize Court to be held the
following June at Richfield before Judge
Begbie. Lillooet weakened, turned Queen’s
witness and gave full particulars.

Sullivan took them back to Quesnel to
wait for the stage to take them down
country to New Westminster for safe
keeping. There was a small gaol at Quesnel
with two cells and a fairly large living:
room attached. One day while Sullivan
was writing at the table, Nicomen made a
rush and struck him a savage blow in his
back and then bolted. Lillooet stayed, went
out for help and they did what they could.

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