Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1879-07-10
A Dastarsily and Persisfent Attempt
to Murder an Aged and Grip
Ei0d Man,

From The Buts Miner of the Oath W.
The particulars have reached Butte of
The probably fatal shooting of Mr.. Thos.
ii. O'COnnor, an old and respected citizen
of Deer Lodge county, by j. J. Kennedy.
The tragedy occurred last Saturday at
O'Connor's mill on Critf creek. across the
river from the Perkins ranch. about mid
way between Deer Lodge and New Chica-
20. The difficulty was about money mat
fers. Kennedy held a mortgage over ev-
crything owned by O'Connor. in security
for money advanced. Last week he visit
ed Deer Lodge and tried to bring about
settlement under the mortgage. by fore
rlosure or otherwise: we are not advised
rs to the details. Failing to make any ar
rancement which he considered satsfac-
tory. Kennedy returned to O'CobnOr's
ranch and drove off all stock belonging to
die latter. He had proceeded with the
stock as far as the mill. when he met
O'Connor also returning from Deer Lodge.
Icing informed rs to what was going on,
the owner of the stock Immediately direct
cd the mill hands TO drive the animals back |
towards his pasture. and started out TO /
assist in doing so. At this Kennedy OPEN
cd fire with his revolver. the first shot TAX
ing effect in the left jaw. and passing clear
through from one side of the face to the
e,her. As soon as he felt hir,.sclf struck.
0'Connor jumped from his horse and
started to run, exclaiming as he did so,
For Gods sake. Joe. don't kill me- but
a second shot. shot fired by a coward at
the back of q retreating enemy, struck
him between the shoulders. ard lie fell.
probably mortally wounded. O'COnnOr.
who was unarmed at the time. is a man Of
At least sixty years of age. and is, besides,
Blind of one eve. His assailant is in the !
vigor of his prime, being about thirty
seven years OF age. Kennedy was imme- :
tiatcIy arrested and held until the effects
of the shooting could be ascertained. But
little hope was entertained Of the wounded
mans recovery. /
The Ne,c North West, in commenting on :
his fiendish and cowardly attempt to
murder an old and defenseless man. very I
pertinently remarks: kennedy need have t
had no fear Of O'Connor physically, and
had no reason to make such a cOwardly 3
and cold-bloodcd attempt on the life OF an L
aged and crippled man, tottering on the d
edge of the grave, on the life Of man l
who begged him not to shoot and who s
tried to make his escape. This was as o
persistent an attempt TO commit murder as
;lie annals of any country at any time will h
furnish.
Montana is having too many murder =
cases of Late. Particularly is it the case in "
this county. In the county Jail are con- =
fined four men awaiting their trial-three
for murder, and Kennedy, who is MUIR
derer at heart, can be properly classed as
number four. This will have bad effect
On the outside world. 1t will have the ef- g
feet of keeping from our borders peaceful b
snd law-abiding citizens who would other q
wise take up their residence here, but WHO B
will not endanger their lives by emigrating %
% 4 country which furnishes such record 81
Of crime rs has Montana in the past year. !. a.
In addition TO this each murder case costs
The county in which it is tried thousands
If dollars. But such lawlcss proceedings
will soon run their course. 1t was similar -
brutal and fiendish acts which caused the
Of vigilance committee in early -
tars in this Territory, and history will ~
md chnIllI ra,>aat ifcaif if cri,na hnnc NOT L,
ease. We do not favor lynch law in any IN IN
ountly. Much less do we favor the TAX o.
ng of the law into their hands by DULLES III
nd towards, striking instances Of which in
dis county has had of late.'' -