, 1866-10-05

JOHN }. RYAN SHOT AND KILLED !
The Killing Held to be Justified i
Fun Report oF the re.lImnnr. - -

1
teping in the direction from which the sound
proceeded, we found crowd gathered in front
q Cosgrove's Saloon, and on enteting the first
OBJECT that met the eye was the body of a man
| Yho la. -'-----:---- das.L A. i:e-
blood fast ebbing from a frightful wound in the
forehead just above the right eye. On inquiry,
we learned that ths-dying man-Johu ]. Ryan,
a highly esteemed citizen and member of the
City Countil-had got into a quarrel with a
man named Barney Kinney, over a game of
cards, and in the alteration that followed re-
ceived his death wound. Instantly the widest
exctementprevailed,a and had Kinney been caught
at the time be would most likely have been hung
on the spO:. As it was, he managed to escape
for the time and thus saved his life.
A. J. Miner County Coroner, was early in at
tendance, and forthwith summoned a jury to in-
quits into tie circumstances attending Ryan's
death. The testimony thus taken served in a
measure % allay the excitement, and the crowd
that had been attracted separated without any
further demonstration.
We append a full report of the testimony taken
in relation to the unfortunate affair, and first
THE TESTIMONY AT THE CORONER s INQUEST.
John Lynch, being duly sworn deposes and says:
John Ryan and James Kinney, alias Barney,
were playing cards together, dispute arose be-
tween them regarding the loan of some money.
Barney seeing that Ryan was quarrelsome and
both agreed to be quiet about it, Ryan stating
that if be Barney made any more remarks he
would kill him told Barney that he would
fight him got up from his seat and slapped
Barney with his left hand in the face; seen
that Ryan had a derringer in his hand see
Barney run TO the door, heard the shooting and
believe that both pistols went off together, caus-
ing the lights to go out. requested several
persons to come in, lit up again to find out the
real facts. Soon after the shot was fired heard
something crop. | can not tell who fred the
first shot, think that the two shots were fired at
one and the same time. JOHN LYNCH.
Peter Thomas being duly sporn, deposes and says ::
heard the parties quarrelng about some
money, Ryan being quarrelsome, Barney wanted
to quit playing at cards, yet Ryan insisted on
playing, insisted on fighting, wanted the doors
to be shut, got up, slapped Barney in the face
and drew a pistol see Barney draw pistol,
heard the shot but could not tell who fred first.
PETER THOMAS.
" D. G. Quiglsy being duly sOOrn, deposes and
s1yS:
ey, quarrel ensued about some money, which
was settled and understood that the same should
not be mentioned again Ryan remarking that
he could fight him any way, got up, slapped
Barney's face and seen him having pistol in
his hand, heard shot, but could not tell who
fired first, believe that only one shot was fired
W. D. G. QUIGLEY.
Sam. Jones being duly sVoru, deposes and says
was present when the affair happened, ny
attention was called to game of cards between
Ryan and Barney, paid attention to the game.
| RYAN remarked, Barney if break you IL give
you money for a meal, Barney replying that he
did not think he would do so the game pro-
ceeded, Barney breaking Ryan, who offered his
watch for some money, left the saloon and re-
! tutned with $40, played again and quarreled,
| both agreed to stop talking and quarreling and
shook hands. Ryan commencing to quarrel
again, took up his money and ordered the bar
keeper to close the doors and insisted on fight
ing Barney, who did not wish to fight, Ryan
remarking you shall 6ght,. you have not got the
| best of me, seen Barney fire first, do not know
ofa second shot, Ryan seemed to be under the
influence ofliquor, while Barney was not.
| S. W. JONES.
Thomas Lou being dvly svOrn, depOses and says:
Was present and saw Ryan and Barney play
| poker seen Ryan going for more money and re-
/
would let Barney have money for meal if he
should break him, quarrel sprung up about
half dollar. Seen Barney fire the first
shot, believe that Lynch put out the lights, saw
that Ryan had derringer, seen him drinking
freely, Barney but once, heard Ryan say that he
would lick Barney, saw him slap Barney's face.
| THOMAS Low.
The Coroners' Jury returned a verdict to the
effect that deceased came to his death by pistol
shot fred by Kinney, and that there was not
sufficient cause for the killing.
THE PRISONER.
After firing the fatal shot, Barney succeeded
\ in making his escape by the rear door of the sa-
loon, and remained concealed until an early
hour on Sunday morning, when became forward
and gave himself up. He was atonce commits
ted to the county Jail, and subsequently, through
his counsel, Judge Mix, applied for an examina-
tion. The application was made to Justice Lacy
and Monday morning, at 10 o'clock, fixed as the
time for
THE EXAMINATION
At the hour fixed, Justice Lacy took his place
on the bench in the District Court room, and
called Judge Horton to his assistance. Sheriff
Seitel then brought the prisoner into Court, and
the examination was proceeded with. Through
out the examination of the witnesses the Court
room was densely crowded by throng of eager
listeners.
TESTIMONY AT TIE EXAMINATION.
Territory Vs. Wm. Kenny, charged with the
murder OF ]. J. Ryan, on the 10th day of October
1866.
VIM. D. G. Quigley duly sworn and says
reside in Montana Territory. Twas in the saloon
of NJ. G. Cosgrove Saturday evening | went ir
behind the deceased, he (Ryan) took seat al
the card table with defendant, ald went to play
ing cards for money. Deceased said to defend
ant, 81 am gong to break you, if do will
give you 5Octs to get your breakfast with
don't intend you shall win pot" Defendant
replied 81 don't know whether you will or pot. :
Deceased then said, tBarney when did eVe