The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1873-12-06
Attempted Murder Of William Erwin.

Mr.. \. J. Arnold gives us information Of
one Of the most cold-blootled and cowarlly
attempts ut assassination which it has ever
been our province to record in Montana
Territory. The victim Of this cruel outrage
is well known throughout the county Of
jefferson, and is Il well-to-dO miner by the
name Of William Erwin. who owns hydraulic
disginss near Sprinsvillc, jefferson county,
where he has pursued his avOcatiOn will,
success, and has the confidence and respect
Of all his neighbors, and we might say, the
whole community OF his county, as in two
a"'f'"ght political s:'.+s".", ~" -s'',s''''o"
cratic nominations Of that county il, 4
hopeless contest for the Legislature, and
once for Sheriff Of the county. his party
placing him in nomination, in the face Of
an overwhelming Democratic majority,
simply upon his popularity and worth.
I'm Sunday morning, about one O'Clock,
Mr.. Erwin, who resided alone in his cabin
on his mining claim, was aroused by y loud
knock upon his door, and asked, "Who is
there" lie was answered, "a friend"
Having heard cautious whispers m the
outside, Mr.. Erwin, instead of opening the
door, pulled the window curtain aside, and
was Immediately fired upon by the parties
outside, who shot ut him through the
window, wOunting him severely. Mr..
Erwin lodged down upon the floor behind
large trunk, which he showed against the
door rs Il sort Of a barricade, and lay down
behind it for protection. The bl,xal-thirsty
wretches on the outside went to the rear Of
the house and broke in the window and
commenced firing upon their victim. Erwin
shouted Murder p and called for help at
the top Of his voice and, being Frustrated
,lnOn tho fnor his liza ,cu.c;n, S,,,,
posing his wounds were mortal, Ilecamped.
The unfortunate man despite the fact that
four buckshOt were lodged in his left arm
and several in his right arm, evidently from
a dOuble-barrcled shotgun, and also shot in
both thighs with pistol bullets, crawled to
the house Of Fred. Tieleke in this fri.htful
condition, where he was taken care of, and
the neighborins miners were aroused and
apprised Of the bloody outrage. Mr.. Tielckc
mounted horse Immediately and rode to
Helena for medical aid, and DR.. Ingersoll
and his son A. +. Ingcrsoll went out to cx-
anime his wounds. Mr.. Tieleke was Of the
opinion that the wounds were not neccs-
sarily fatal. We learn that Mr.. Erwin
recognized one Of his assailants. No cause
has been given for this bloody attempt at
murder. but before We go to press We may
gain some more particulars.
-lSsuIusSy lTOun tuc SiSuN kcnJlcIdu
who gave us the foregoing intelligence, we
learned that DR.. Ingersoll returned from the
scene Of the brutal outrage related above,
and confirms the particulars as related.
In the right arm there is one pistol shot;
in the LETT arm, six buckshot wounds; in
the right thigh, two shots, ranging upwards.
Seven shots were fired. exhausting all the
shots in the hands Of the assassins.
TWAS found, upon examination, that after
the escape Of Erwin an attempt was made
to burn the house, as it was found that the
trunk used by Erwin as barricadc from
their assault, with other combustible matter,
was set ON fire, but did not ignite the build
ing.
James Thompson, y tin-smitl, who was
once employed as workman in his business
in Helena, but now miner ut Springville,
and Z. Everett, were both arrested for the
crime on Sunday, Mr.. Erwin having rccog-
nizcd them as the persons who attempted
his life in this cowardly manner. and were
lodged in the county Jail. We believe the
cause Of the deadly assault arose from the
Of q miners meeting which
was held on Saturday evening last, in which
the interests Of Thompson and Erwin clash
ed somewhat. Dec. 2.