10/11/2006: "Have Any Info On A Hanging in 1897?"

County Prosecutor is seeking information about the last person hanged in San Juan County. In April 23, 1897, Mr. Richard H. Straub was hanged in San Juan County, apparently for a murder that occurred on Blakely Island.

Randall K. Gaylord, San Juan County Prosecutor, said that he has been contacted by the great grandchildren of Mr. Straub, and that they are planning a trip to Friday Harbor soon in an effort to learn more about him.

Gaylord said, "I thought someone in the community may have an old shoebox with photographs, letters, or papers that mention Mr. Straub, the trial, the execution or the burial. If not, then perhaps there are other details that have been passed on from one generation to the next."

Gaylord said that he understands that after the hanging, the body was not claimed and it was buried at Pt. Caution, at what was then a military reservation and now is the University of Washington Labs. "If someone knows the location of the gravesite, the family would be most interested in visiting it," added Gaylord.

"I invite anyone with details on the life and death of Mr. Richard H. Straub to call me, send me an e-mail, or drop by my office at the courthouse," said Gaylord.