Bloody Battle to Follow Halloween Robbery
In 1906 there was a sort of 'Hobo Jungle' on the outskirts of Kennewick, Washington at a spot known as Poplar Grove. Figuring that would be the most likely place to start looking for the two men who had performed a double robbery in Kennewick, Deputy Sheriff Joe Holzhey and another man by the name of Harry E. Roseman, who operated the Stage Saloon and was unarmed, headed in that direction. Seeing that this burglary was about the most exciting thing that had ever happened in Kennewick, it didn't take long for the town to get in an uproar and start seeing boogey-men around every corner. That it was Halloween surely put the final scary touches on the robbery incident and the bloody battle that would soon follow.
Kennewick Woman Recalls Robbery
Jessie Sonderman Kent, just five years old at the time, recalled years later that her family had been sitting around the supper table when her papa announced that the drygoods store had been robbed. He'd told them that a posse carrying guns was being formed and that they planned to storm the hobo jungle and capture the two robbers. Papa Sonderman had thought that folks were being irresponsible. He predicted that before the night was over some people would be shot.
Marshal Follows Tracks to Hobo Jungle
Before long, Town Marshal Glover and Mr. Godwin, owner of one of the looted stores, were on their way down the railroad tracks to the hobo jungle that lay at the end of the railroad bridge. There, they came upon two men crouched by a campfire. Glover and Godwin began questioning the men who made it clear that they resented being spied on.
More Officers Descend on Hobo Jungle
Leaving the two men by the fire, Glover and Godwin started back towards Kennewick and ran into Sheriff McNeill who was looking for stolen goods. With McNeill were Deputy Holzhey and the still unarmed Roseman. Glover joined them and they all four returned to the hobo jungle by way of what was called the old Ledbetter place.
Outlaws Barker and Lake Recognized
The two men who had earlier been encountered in the hobo camp by a fire were, it was later learned, Kid Barker and Jake Lake. Barker, whose real name was Robert A., turned out to hail from Florence, Colorado. Later he told officers he'd come from Montana and met up with Lake who was a sheepherder at Wallula, a small town several miles east of Kennewick. Barker related that, prior to the break-in, he and Lake had been to a fair in Spokane, Washington and were now returned and camping in the trees.
When the Kid and Lake saw the lawmen and others returning to where they were camped Jake told the Kid to get his gun.
Outlaw Lake Confronts Lawmen
Kid Barker was standing behind Lake when Jake stepped out of the trees and asked the lawmen why they were following them. Lake then ordered the lawmen to put up their hands. At the same time as his forceful words were issued, Jake turned his rifle on them. The law party, those that had weapons, reached for their guns and Jake Lake began firing. It was also later reported that Lake had told the officers that if they were looking for trouble they would get it, and then began firing.
Holzhey and Glover Hit by Outlaw's Fire
With that first shot, the young Deputy Joe Holzhey became hours away from the end of his life. Roseman, who had stayed somewhat back in the trees since he was unarmed, heard more shots being fired. Then he saw Marshal Mike Glover fall.
Sheriff McNeill was still firing his revolver and continued to do so until his bullets were gone. He, too, was wounded but made it back to the railroad tracks. It was there that Roseman found him and got him back to Kennewick. Back in town, Roseman gave the alarm. Soon a posse was formed and headed out to the scene of the shooting.
Glover and Holzhey Killed
When the posse got to Poplar Grove they found Marshal Mike Glover already dead. Deputy Holzhey, though wounded in the abdomen, was still alive, but not for long. He died the following morning.
Kennewick Robbers Hid in Hobo Jungle continues with
Manhunt in Kennewick: Outlaw Barker Sought Following Shootout.
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Shootout at Kennewick, Washington: Lewis and Clark Arrive One Hundred Years Earlier.
