The Dillon tribune. [volume] (Dillon, Mont.) 1881-1941, 1885-03-07
CHE Nllot, Gribn'te.
MURDER IN MADISON COUNTY.
The Murderer, After y Lively Chase,
CAPTURED and Killed.

The Murderer, After Lively Chase, Is
Captured and Killed.
Last Saturday afternoon the town of
Laurin, in Madison county, was the scene
Of a murder, which, according to the most
reliable reports obtainab'e BY the TRIBUNE
reporter was cold.blooded, cowordly and
deliberate murder.
The circumstances that led 10 the com
mission OF the murder are related as fol-
lows: John Mitchell, the man who COM
mitted the deed, had been working a
ranch on the shares for M. Banks. Some
time ago Mitchell and Banks had lawsuit
about the settlement Of their affairs. At
the trial. Of the suit Daniel Kane was a
witness for Banks, and Mitchell was beaten
in the action at law. Mitchell, SO it is re-.
ported, then swore that he would have re-.
vcnge on Kane.
On Saturday .a,t Mitchell was at Laurin.
There was quite large crowd Of men in
the town on that day. Late in the after.
noon Mitchell went to Kane's saloon, and
had some talk with Kane. Mitchell and
Kane started over the street to Laurin's
store--Mitchell leading his cayuse by the
bride. When within a short distance Of
the store, Mitchell stopped, and pulling his
revolver, quickly fired at Kane, with fatal
effect. The bal! from Mikhell's gun en-
tered the back part of Kane's head, and
passing through, went out Of the left side
of the forehead. near the eye. Kane drop.
ped dead on the sidewalk or portico in
front Of the store.
After committing the cowardly murder,
Mitchell mounted his horse and rode rap.
idly to Sheridan. Great excitement imme-
diatcly followed ~ Laurin. The facts Of
the killing Of Kane spread quickly, and
number Of men mounted horses, and pro-
ceeded in hot pursuit Of Mitchell On
reaching Sheridan, Mitchell tied his horse
to a post, and entered Datemans store,
telling Mr.. Batcman he gave up to him
(Batcman) all the property he owned He
then went to O'Brien's saloon for few
minutes.
At this junctue the pursuing party rode
into Sheridan from Laurin. Mitchell came
out Of the saloon, and taking a position on
the bridge, he pulled his six-shooter, and
shouted to them: II am ready to die, but
! don't want to 60 back TO Laurin, and be
killed like dog"
The pursuers halted, when Mr.. Bateman
came out Of his store, and approaching
Mitchell, received his pistol, and took
Mitchell into custody. The crowd, in.
tensely excited, kept on increasing in mum.
bers, and, it is said, preparations were
speedily made to lynch Mitchell, who had
been placed by Justice Bollinger in charge
Of acting Constable Sarge Hall. Then
Sheriff Carruthers, of Madison county,
took Mitchell into custody, and endeavored
to secure and protect him from the crowd,
who were thronging around the store in
force-all masked in the dark.
A shout being raised that the n,askers
were forcing their way into the front Of the
store (Bateman's', Mitchell who was held
in back room, seized u pick handle, and
smashed window sash, through the open.
ing Of which he made his escape. Mitchell
made for the thick brush on Mill Creek,
only short distance off. During his
race from the building to the brush a mum.
Der Of shots were fired at him, but he es.
capped unhart--one ball passing through
his hat
Getting into the brush, Mitchell made
his way down the creek that night to the
ranch Of John Goldinch, about two miles
below Sheridan on the creek. Mitchell
wanted to get a gun and horse from Mr..
Go'd6nch, but being refused, he left.
Mitchell had only left the ranch short
time when squad Of armed men appear.
ed, but too late to catch him.
The excitement kept increasing all
Saturday night, and on Sunday morn .
the whole country in the vicinity of 6. {, i.
dan was full Of armed men in pursu Of
Mitchell. The murderer had taken the
back track up the creek, and then crossed
over on to Wisconsin Creek, and up into
Georgia Gulch. Sunday afternoon party
Of men discovered Mitchell on one side OF
Georgia Gulch. They called on Mitchell
to surrender. lie kept on running, when
avolley from repeating rifles was fired
One shot took effect, hitting Mitchell near
the center Of his back and bringing hin,
down. Mitchell was taken to Sheridan
and he died in about five minutes ate,
reaching that place.
These are as near the facts as our re-
porter could obtain, and they are obtained
from a gentleman Of reliability who re,
SidcS IN the r nhv Volla,, II Z. ,.