As part of preparation for a family reunion this summer, I have crafted this brief story of two heroic relatives, Paatrick and Mary Doherty of Vinson, Oregon. It is a good story and I am glad to share it with you.

THE 1904 SHOOTING OF PATRICK DOHERTY

 

          Patrick Doherty of Vinson was born on March 14, 1868 , at Carndonagh, Ireland. He was the son of John “Big Shawn” Doherty,  and grandson of Philip Doherty, one of the sons of John Doherty of the Isle of Doagh. John moved his family from Lagacurry to the Ballylosky area outside of Carndonagh after being displaced by a gigantic storm which ruined the family’s original farmstead. Pat, who was known as “Red Pat” by many in Oregon, emigrated to Umatilla County via Canada at age nineteen, about 1887. Here, he joined his brother Bernard. Bernard had immigrated to the area two years before Pat arrived.

          After his arrival, Pat worked first for James Nelson, whose wife Catherine, was a cousin. He worked on the Nelson ranch for six months. Pat then worked for Charles Cunningham for a year and learned quite thoroughly the sheep business as it was conducted in the Umatilla area. Pat then hired on with  his brother Bernard in Morrow County. In 1890, the brothers sent for their Father (John or “Big Shawn”), and other members of the family. Bernard died in 1897, and Pat joined with his brothers John and Joseph, continuing the sheep business as “Doherty Brothers”. The Doherty Brothers prospered in their efforts and added thousands of acres and thousands of sheep  to their enterprise. In 1901, Pat returned to Ireland and there married Mary McLaughlin, returning to Oregon with his bride.

          In the spring of 1904, (that is, on April 16, 1904), Pat was lambing in the vicinity of Hog Hollow. His wife Mary and son Joe were with him.  One of Pat’s sheepherders named William Morton quit his employ and wanted immediate settlement of his wages. The ranch’s bookkeeper was brother Joseph whose was working was at the “Middle Ranch”, about four miles away. Pat had to go there to get Morton’s money. After he left, time passed, and Morton became convinced that Pat was not coming back. Morton produced a  gun and pointed it at Mary and demanded that she start walking. Mary had to carry the child, Joe, who was not quite two years old. Morton kept his gun pointed at her, and she was afraid that Pat would be shot when they met with him.

          John Lang, who later married Pat’s sister Anna, was working close by, corralling sheep at the top of a hill, and he was forced to march along with this group. As Morton and his forced entourage approached the bridge at Middle Ranch, Morton saw Pat’s brothers Joe and John. They were unarmed, and were forced to line up in the group with John Lang. Morton had a drink of water from the little stream, but wouldn’t let Mary have any. He was of a surly disposition.

         Pat, who was armed, was approaching and was obscured by brush. He was wearing a white shirt and Morton spotted him, and called him out. As Pat stepped out from the brush, Morton fired and hit Pat – a side hit in the chest. The bullet passed through both lungs and lodged below Pat’s shoulder blade. Someone was sent to Pendleton for Doctor W. G. Cole, who treated Pat.

          Four days after this incident, the East Oregonian printed Dr ole’s assessment that  “Doherty will live unless complications follow.”  Quite a few days later, on May 6,1904, The East Oregonian printed “Patrick Doherty of Vinson, was up and out of bed Sunday.” On May 13, the newspaper reported that notices had been served to all witnesses of the shooting affray between Patrick Doherty and William Morton in which Doherty was shot through both lungs, to be in the city tomorrow (May 13^th, 1904) when Morton will be arraigned.” Morton was pleading self-defense, but the district attorney said that a charge of manslaughter would probably be filed against him.

         In the same article, Dr. Cole is quoted as saying that Pat is “completely out of danger, and is able to look after his sheep ranch.” The next day, the newspaper printed that “District Attorney T. O. Hailey today filed information against William Morton, charging him with assault with a deadly weapon and another information charging him with assault and robbery. The first information says Morton shot Patrick Doherty at the latter’s ranch with intent to kill. The second says Morton assaulted Mrs. Doherty, wife of Patrick Doherty , and robbed her of $4.30. A number of witnesses of the affair were in the city today and were examined by Mr. Hailey. Morton will be arraigned tomorrow, when it is supposed he will plead guilty, as he still maintains he shot in self-defense.”

         Family recollection and lore is that Morton did go to prison. But the bullet that wounded  Pat was not removed and he carried it in his chest for the rest of his life.

         Acknowledgement: The bulk of information in this post was compiled from family members by Eva Doherty Gremmert and privately published in her genealogical book, “The Descendants of John Doherty (Newman) from the Isle of Doagh, County Donegal, Ireland. Born about 1765.” June, 1996. Newspaper coverage was scant, and serves primarily to corroborate that the event did take place, with no contradiction of detail supplied by Gremmert’s informants. Packy Doherty of Pilot Rock, Oregon and Nancy Doherty Oppenheimer of Boise,  Idaho were also consulted for accuracy of detail. Pat lived a full life and died in 1948, at almost 80 years of age.

                                                                                                        Jan 28, 2023 Roger Doherty