The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-18

yesterday morning he did not anns.nat on
suit had been commenced agpaf; sa No
Smith, nor had any warrant for h;n' Mr..
been sworn out. About 10 o'clnn. arrest
few minutes later, some time ATTN Or a
ing OF the dishonoring Of the checLa learn
also being other business requirina : There
Attorneys attention, Marsta9 'SeClty
walked up to Mr.. Smiths resida,o toner
Granite street, and rang the hs1I on
Smith came to the door himself. and Mr.
informed that he was wanted AT tthh 'o was
Hall. "All right, Stoner." he said ~ olty
be there in n minute" Mr.. Stoner ,oi. VIII
door, and almost in front OF the ',' The
met a couple OF the City Aldermen mouse
were passing in Il buggy, and inioNho
them that Smith was in the honan 'fined
turned to come back again, and hoa , lie
shot in the direction of the house ond d
mediately went in, not knowing what 'm'
expect. On going into the front baduolo
upstairs, Smith was found lying on " I'm
back hS
WELTERING IN HIS BLOOD
with the smoking pistol lying on tho a.
a few feet from him. Mr.. Stoner nla ced p w
hand under Smiths head, and said. ,M NM
God, Smith, why did you do jtPn NY
wounded man answered: Cards did :.
Stoner; cards did it," Assistance hav;n,
arrived, Smith was carried into the hug
room and placed upon the bed and a ,hu
sician sent for. r''
After making a careful examination, =,
the premises, Mr.. Stone concludes that NJ ~
soon as he left the door Smith. reai;,;a.
the status Of affairs, and thinking tbas
charges had been preferred against him
went up stair, stepped in front of a mirror
and taking deliberate aim, fired at H.,
heart, the ball entering just below the ls,
nipple, and from not producing instant
death the bullet must have ranged down.
ward.
The weapon used was a full nickel. plate5
ivory-handled, single action, 32-calibre fvo''
shooter, known as a Hard Pan" and al.
though a neat looking gun, was a mere tov
but in this instance, small az was the uiaca
OF leao and light as was the charge Of DOW.
der, 1T probably consummated its deadly
work.
OTHER POPULATIONS.
Yesterday morning the bank had hardly
opened before the Thompson check for
$4,000 was presented and hOnored. and
the payment OF this overdrew the account
OF Smith some S36. The other checks vera
presented in rapid succession ami as ran.
thrown out, with the usual remark. no
funds. In addition to the discoveries n
Monday night, it was yesterday ascertained
that Smith had also deposited in the bank
under the same circumstances warrants a.
follows: H. 3. Smith, 1928; Police Officers
Hutchins, Dryer and Young, 500 each.
Chief MeikIejohn, S215; from sale of cjty
lot, 5000. Also d warrant issued on a bill
the city prisoners that was to have been
turned over to David McCraner amounting
to $3.50. None OF the above warrants
had been presented for registration. Undera
rule adopted, the salaries OF policemen being
a stated sum monthly, they were not
passed through the regular channels and
were due for a day or NO.. The $500 for
the sale OF a lot has been explained. That
in his W favor is something of a mystery.
Smith claims tina it is an amount due him
extra services rendered on behalf OF the
city in the District Court, but the members
of the Council say that no such bill was
ever presented to that body. The sigma.
ture OF Mayor Frank on the warrant is
doubtless genuine, and the Mayor explains
the matter by saying, when he first took
charge OF the office he was requested to sign
Il lot of warrants in blank. This he re.
fused to do, and for a time scrutinized all
that were brought for signature. Latterly,
there being quitea number brought in bulk,
he was less particular and only gave them
d cursory examination, as he did not think
under any circumstance the city clerk was
dishonest. 1t must have been in this way
that the signature was obtained on the 1925
warrant, for he Is certain he never saw it,
CONDITION OF H WOUNDED MAN.
AS told by Chief Stoner, a physician was
summoned as soon as possible and did all
in his power to render the victim comfort
able. The shock, Of course, for a time
a faintness that was soon succeeded
by intense pains. To alIay these opiates
were given and he was quoted for a time,
but before evening a reaction set in and
Mr.. Smith experienced the most intense ago.
ny. So great was his suffering that his cries
could be heard hall a block away, and at 9
O'Clock the attending physician was again
forced to administer powerful opiates. He
said the pain was perfectly natural under
the circumstances, but he did not express
any opinion as to whether it would prove
fatal. During the day and evening the sui
ferer was tenderiy cared for by his wife, his
brothers, Captain Wyman and Judge
French. A number Of other sympathetic
friends called, but as quiet was essential,
but few were permitted to see him, and
then only for a few minutes. He did not
express any regret for himself for the act,
but when he fully realized the situation he
spoke freely OF his wife and baby.
SKETCH OF SMITH.
Howard B. Smith vas born in Burling.
ton Township, n. j., and was about IS
years old. Some time ago the family re-
moved to Iowa, where Smith studied law
and was admitted to the bar. lie came to
Butte four years ago, comparatively peni-
less, but developing into an energetic
worker. He sought and obtained employ.
ment with Mcguire as clerk, but did not
hesitate to drive IL wagon and do other
work. Being something OF an athlete, ne
engaged in several running matches and
other sports and had quite a reputation
in that line. OF a sanguine temperament,
he naturally found delight in the excite,
ment OF politics, and was in 1888 elected
to the position OF City Attorney, and twice
reelected. About two and IL hall years
ago he was married to Miss Fifer, daash,
ter OF a well known citizen Of Butte, ana
the result OF the union is a child now about
eight months old. Mr.. George {. Fitsehen
SIolSA '"
Mr.. Smith has now resident III
Butte two brothers, one i'll the employ
Of J.. ID. Thomas, and the other Tue
proprietor OF a saloon near the depot;
Smith is a man OF sunny disposition ang
genial nature, among his companions anu
associates acting more like a big boy Una,
a sedate man, but he must have had a uual
nature for surely the troubles he brousnh'
upon himself must have weighed hea,i.
upon him when he was alone ana l.e
mirth which he sought 10 impose upon MS
friends must bave been forced. ne "a "a
member OF the A. O. u. W and has ms nt
insured for $4,000. He had bullt uimses
a beautiful house on Granite street ns"'
Washington, and mad it Handsomely iur
nished. The besetting sin OF the man w" J
an inordinate passion for gamoHng a .%a
those who know him say that duflns nv
past eight months his salary ana fe'sum.
from practice, which would a n
age $500 a month, Il sum OF So Wv
that he realized from a mortgage upon
home. the s., 900 that was the lmiheuiaV
cause of his attempt at suicide, ana ao'"n
$1,000 that he owes in the tltS He
been ~squandered over the card tapie. ,nd
owns, or il interested in, several mlnes rat
prospects, but one OF them ha.eaa
been developed. A curious lncloeh. Mnnday
nection with the affair is that on n onT
evening Smith was discussing tne oJ he
suicide with a prominent merchant fnoIsh
remarked that a man who was IAN.
enough to get himself into such Il S,had
ought to have committed suicide IL
other refuge.