The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-06-06
HENNINGAR'S MURDER.
Mystery Still Enyelops the
German Gulch Shooting.
CoRoNER,s
Some Arrests Made on Suspicion, But
Nothing Definite Ascertained---
Officers Searching.

Yesterday morning an account. was pub
lshed in The MINER OF the mysterious and
fatal shooting of Alexander Henningar a
short distance above Stuart in the German
Gulch. As was stated the man was shot by
some unknown parties while walking along
the banks Of the ditce, and while unaware
OF the foe lying in ambush. After the news
reached the citythat night the Sheriff at
once started for the scene of the homicide,
and yesterday morning returned with five
prisoners in the persons of Messrs. Carver,
Larkin, Ford, johnson and Lonergan, who
are the men interested in the water flume
controversy now in litigation. The parties
each Indignantly denied any and all
knowledge OF the sad affair and willingly
accompanied the Sheriff to Butte and
awaited, on parole, the return OF the YER
dict by the Coroners Jury.
THE INQUEST.
Early yesterday morning the Coroner,
DIR. C.. S. Whitford, who had been duly
notified, started for the scene, but took the
precaution to subpoena a jury from this
city in order that there might be an
absolutely impartial trial and verdict.
TIL following gentlemen were on the panel:
=. V1Ah, l.. W. OUcZ, u. W.. VdTllelu,
Thomas ingatt, J. D. ~Thourghman and
-. Z. Miles. The inquest was held in
the afternoon and LASTED more than
two hours, but while the testimony
indicated the guilt of certain parties,
it was SO conflicting that the jury
returned a verdict that deceased came to
his death at the hands of certain parties
unknown. From the statements of the
witnesses it appears that deceased formerly
nNnnd q rInnn ~ s-
the ditch, which he sold to Mr.. Williams,
thereby mourning the enmity of some OF
his former associates. That out of this
there grew a feud about both water and
ground, the claim of the latter having been
Jumped and re-jumped. Recently a Mr..
Kessler, a brother-in-law of deceased went
upon the ground and begun to work the
claim, but was soon driven from it by
several armed men headed by Ford. Hen
ningar who was working another claim,
was by these parties cut off from his sup
ply OF water, and he in turn so tapped the
ditch as to control the entire flow, but in a |
short time it was again switched from his
works. At this he got very angry and
then proceeded to his cabin where he
fME HIMSELF WITH A
and started to again turn on the waterinto
his mines, this time being accompanied by
a hired man. While en- route to the head
gates, they were, according to their story, |
met by Mr.. Ford, who was fully armed; and |
who commanded them not to touch the |
water, under penalty of death. Ford re-
turned to his work, and Henningar directed |
his man to go to the proper point of the |
ditch and so regulate the water that there !
would be enough for both of them. The |
man started to carry out the instructions, |
but had only proceeded a few rods when he
heard the report of two gun shots, and
turning quickly, saw Henningar, his en-
plOyer, lying on the bank OF the ditch,
dead, a bnllet having penetrated his head
lnder his left ear, causing instantaneous
leath.
NO WITNESSES.
There was no one in sight, and the manin
lis excitement could not tell from which di-
'ectlon the shots were were fired, nor did
le make any search for the murderer.
there is only a reasonable suspicion
some of the parties arrested are
ullty. There were some other men at work /
n the vicinity who heard the shots, but
hing III 'Ae = A" "''.'n' - N'ios any
After his return to the city last night,
'orOner Whitford went before Justice Lip
incott and swore out warrants for the ar
OF the five men named above, and also
)r a number OF parties who are needed as
illnesses. The principals were then locked ,
in the county jail and the sheriff started
0 secure the witnesses. :
body OfHenningar will be brought to ,
his city to-day and an autopsy performed 9
y the coroner 1t is also probable that a s
examination of the accused r
i'll be held. The murder has created much 9
&c itement throughout the city, and there p
but one opinion expressed-that it was
; brutal as it was uncalled for.