Idaho semi-weekly world. (Idaho City, Boise County, Idaho Territory) 1867-1868, 1867-05-15
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.
By stage of Sunday evening word came tina
H. B. Lane, Territorial Controller, had BEEF
shot dead the night before in Boise City, an,
the report produced intense and painful ex
element here. BY kindness of Mr. Smith
Agent of Wells, Fargo & Co., here, we were
furnished at once with brief statement of the
affair sent him by Mr.. Roosevelt, of the Boise
City office of Wells, Fargo & Co. But from
Judge May, who came passenger in the stage
and who received the statement he impaired
to us from one of the spectators of the fright
full scene, we learned the following detailed
particulars: About midnight of Saturday
Messrs. Lane, Gillespie, Boyle and one or two
others, were playing social game of cards in
Owens Saloon, Boise City, in which Louis
Rsley was the barkeeper. A game had
been concluded and Risley served the com
pany with refreshments at the table. He re-
turned to the bar with the empty glasses,
washed them as usual and placed them in their
places on the bar. In an instant, without a
word having been spoken to him or by him,
and without any apparent known cause, Ris-
ley took revolver, advanced to the billiard
table, there deliberately placed the pistol across
his left wrist to take resting aim, and pointed
the weapon toward the party at the table. He
was seen by Mr.. Gillespie, who Immediately
gave the alarm. At that instant Risley pull
ed trigger, and the cap snapped. Those at the
table now rushed for the saloon door, Lane in
advance. Risley again pulled trigger, and
this time with fatal effect. Lane fell headforer
most at the door, and Gillespie stumbled over
him. BY this time, Risley had turned the
pistol toward his own head and fired. The
ball entered just above the outside corner of
the right eye midway between his brows and
hair, and though the ball penetrated the brain,
he fred twice afterwards before he fell On
recovering himself, Mr.. Gillespie turned to
assist Lane, whom he believed to be wounded
As he lifted him, he observed bad bruise on
the eyebrow, received in his heavy fall
but a moments further look discovered the
fearful fact that he was dead. The ball had
entered his back and in its course had undoubt-
edly pierced or penetrated the heart. He had
not even uttered moan /; but his life went like
a flash Risley lived about two hours, and
never spoke q word. His own life had paid
forfeit by his own hand for the life of Lane
but it was like the forfeit of kite for dove,
a bat for an eagle. 1t is charitable to believe
that he was laboring under temporary insanity
at the time: that his unproyoked savage deed
was the act of mailman who knew not what
he did. He took the life of a young and gal
liant and noble-hearted gentleman, of high
worth and fine abilities-one beloved by the
great many who knew him. Mr.. Lane oceu-
pied the responsible position of Controller of
Idaho Territory at thel time Of his death, and
had, by bis very able, intelligent and faithful
performance of his official duties, greatly ben
Gifted the Territory and won great credit for
himself He was also the trusted and very
popular Agent of Hill Beachey's and the Cisco
Central-RailrOad Stage Companies, and in every
walk OF life was respected, honored and deeply |
beloved. His death is public calamity.
p. S.-Since the above was put in type we
have been shown letter from friend in Boise
City to Ed. Donaho, ESD, of this place. in
which the details of the tragedy are differently
reported, although the main facts are the same.
Risley was laboring under fit of manic pots
unknown to Mr. Owens, the keeper Of the sa-
Loom He first shot himself with the revolver
he had used in killing Mr.. Lane, and almost
tore his scalp off from the discharge; he recov
cred from the stunning effect of that shot,
arose, walked behind the bar, took another
pistol returned outside the bar, sat down, laid
the other pistol by his side, drew and cooked
q derringer and held it in his left hand, and
with the same pistol he shot Lane in his right
hand again placed that to his head, over his
right eye, and fred the suicidal shot.