100 years ago in Soap Lake: Landlord shoots baker who wanted to keep his oven

From our archives, 100 years ago

M.H. Sorrell, a prominent Soap Lake, Washington, businessman and landlord, evicted Norman Barrett from his bakery shop for failure to pay rent.

Barrett prepared to leave the shop and started to remove his bakery oven.

Sorrell ordered him to leave the oven where it was until the back rent was paid. Barrett ignored him and continued to remove the oven.

Sorrell raced to his house, grabbed a “repeating shotgun,” returned to the shop and ordered Barrett out of the shop. Barrett continued to remove the oven.

So Sorrell fired a shot over Barrett’s head to frighten him. It didn’t work.

Barrett continued to remove the oven. Then Sorrell aimed the gun and shot Barrett through the right leg, just below the knee.

A doctor reported that amputation would be necessary to save Barrett’s life, and he was rushed to a Spokane hospital. Sorrell was arrested, released on bail and awaiting trial.

Barrett’s wife, meanwhile, reported that the bakery had been a failure and that they possessed a total of $6 in cash. The county commissioners voted to pay for his medical treatment.

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(From the Associated Press)

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