1937: Murder in Inchelium

Killer of wife's paramour stoic. Indian's plea of guilt to murder may not be accepted by United States.

Baptiste Andrews

 Printed in the Spokesman-Review, FEBRUARY 21, 1937

Angered because his 48-year-old squaw wife had left his home and seven children to live with another Indian, Baptiste Andrews, 67, last Saturday shot and killed his wife's 59-year-old Indian paramour, John Joseph, with a huge calibered rifle. He was photographed in the county jail by County Bertillion Officer Aubrey Rowles where he was brought from Inchelium by federal officer and where he is stoically awaiting trial on a murder charge.

MAY CHANGE PLEA
The aged Indian readily admitted his guilt and pleaded guilty to a first degree murder charge before a United States commissioner at Colville, but it is doubtful if he will be permitted to plead guilty to such a charge in court, or if such a charge will be placed. Arresting officers say there are some extenuating circumstances that might permit the filing of a complaint other than a capital charge.

There is considerable pathos back of the killing as both the killer and the murdered man were highly thought of among the Colville Indians and had never been in trouble before.

Mr. and Mrs. Andrews had raised seven children and lived in the usual content and amicability of Indians until the middle-aged wife and mother suddenly developed a passion for the other man, it is alleged.

Stories are conflicting as in whether or not the dead man was a Romeo or simply the victim of misplaced and unreturned ardor, as some may say he repeatedly tried to force the woman to leave his home, but that she refused. It is known, however, that Baptiste tried to induce her to return home without result.

BIDS CHILDREN GOODBYE

Finally convinces his wife did not intend to return to him and their seven children, the aged and troubled Indian rode away from the cabin of John Joseph where his wife was determinedly lodged, home to his cabin. There he sadly shook hands with his children, picked up his big, heavy bore rifle and stoically and silently rode his pony back to the Joseph home.

As he rode into the yard in a snowstorm, Joseph came into the yard drawing some meat on a sled, as he had recently shot a deer.

Without a word Baptiste dismounted, broke open his gun, loaded it with one if its shells and killed Joseph.