A Simple Grave Marker In Alaska

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A Short Story

While hiking up to Skagway Falls in Alaska we passed through the Gold Rush Cemetery where there are numerous headstones and markers with many well over a hundred years old. The cemetery is located on a slope with graves spaced at random, many markers are difficult to read and some contain little information. One marker caught our interest because it is a plain slab with a painted inscription and very little information. The grave marker simply says “Florence Oliver, aged 19, died October 24, 1899”.

Later we do some research on that grave and in the process discover a tragic tale of newlyweds and a viscous murder. It’s about Bertram Horton, age 27, and Florence Oliver, age 18 who were married in Oregon on February 27, 1899. He was a butcher and she was known as a member of the Episcopal Church. The story says this young couple decided on an Alaska honeymoon and arrived in Skagway, Alaska on March 7, 1899.

It was recorded that Bert and Florence Horton had picnicked at a spot along the bay near Skagway on October 24, 1899 when a James Hanson, AKA Kebeth or White Eagle an Aleut native from Sitka murdered the newlyweds. It was said he was unbalanced and was accusing the Horton’s of a death, and decided to kill them out of retribution. He shot both of them and slit Florence’s throat.

He was convicted for the murders of a young couple, Bert and Florence Horton as they picnicked at a spot along the bay near Skagway, while on their honeymoon on October 24, 1899. Kebeth was said to be a bit unbalanced and he accused the Horton’s of a previous death, and decided to kill them out of retribution. He shot both and slit Florence’s throat. Kebeth had his friends keep quiet about the murders but eventually one talked and Kebeth was tried and convicted.

His sentence was commuted later due to his mental state. He was incarcerated again and on August 13, 1905, James Hanson, also known as Kebeth or “White Eagle” Kaagwaantaan, died in prison at MacNeil Island, Washington.

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