The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-11-25
PAID THE PENALTY.
Death Of H. +. B. t..r Smith After
Five Days Suffering.
After Days Of suferihs tho Young
Man Passes Away-Arvange-
ments for the Funeral.

Man Passes Away-Arvauge-
ments for the Funeral.
After suffering the most intense pal
that Was only alleviRtld by the use Of OF
ates, Howard B. Smith, City Attorne
who, it is alleged, shot himself with suicid
intent last Tuesday, died Yesterday at b
The deceased had, during his illness, be-
attended by his family and friends with u
ceasing devotion, and his end was calm an
quiet. He fell into the eternal slumber (
peacefully as a baby dozes into q sles
For Che few days that have elapsed sim
Mr.. Smith committed, the rash act, h
condition has been varying, and. hopefl
friends have imagined that there was
chance for his recovery This bright sid
OF the case was not, however, entertaine
by his physicians, nor by any OF his in
the bullet had done it's fatal work, an
that death was only q question OF . yer
brief time. The varying condition ri th
patient was owing entirely to his wonderfu
physique and vitality, and those who knew
him best were well satisfied that he coul,
not survive. At his last hours, Mi. Smitl
was surrounded by his family and friends
and they still insist that there il proba
bility that he did mt commit suicide.
SINKING AWAY. III
For forty-eight hours the deceased haG
been in q NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. condition, and
the lucid intervals were rare and brief. III,
did not attempt TO- talk with 2 one, aad
the little conversation he INDUCED in wal
not at all coherent. Just prior to his death
he stated to one Of the friends at his bed,
eide that he was dying, but he expressed no
regrets at having killed himself. Nor did
he intimate that he committed. the rash
act. There is a household clothed in mourn
ing, and toward them goes the sympathy
Of the entire community. II the husband
and father was guilty Of the awful crime OF
self-destruction he has answered for bis
oifense at a higher court, and to the sur
vivors there can be nothing but that Chris
trian charity that belongs to a common
humanity.
H INQUEST.
1t having been stated that there a a
question as to whether Mr.. Smith COM
mitted. suicide, the Coroner. DR.. Whitford,
jr., decided to hold an inquest, and the fol-
lowing jury was impanneled: F. E. Glea.
son, r. D. Leggat, A. +. Huffman, W. A.
Evans, J. c. Shepherd, George L. Silvery.
Prior to the inquest an autopsy was
~ ~ AZ AAVAAAsV01 O6OA0 W - ! Ouuo
ley and Robinson. The examination re-
vealed the fact that the bullet had passed
through the left. lung and the left wall Of
the heart, and that but for the ~pulsation
it would have entered the heart and death
would have been almost instantaneous.
As has been stated previously, the ball
lodged in the muscles under the left shout
der blade.
THE rEsrIMoNy.
The first witness lwas Charles Smith, q
brother Of the deceased, who testified that
he saw him the evening previous to the &C.
currence, and that he did not mention any.
thing about his business affairs.
Alderman Richard testified that on the
morning OF the shooting he was told that
the checks had been dishonored and that
it was his official duty to inquire into the
matter. He went with Marshal, yStoner to
see Smith, and as he neared the house he
met q lady at the door who was very much
excited and screamed, "Mr. Smith has shot
He went up stairs and found
Smith lying on the floor with a smoking
revolver by his side: He asked, why did
gambling did it," The witness further tes-
titled hat he was intimate with the de.
ceased and that he was OF a cheerful
and happy disposition, but that
at the council meeting Monday
night he had stated that the
affairs OF Mr.. Smith with the city were con.
siderably mixed, and that deceased was
much embarrassed. ~. 49,
Alderman erik testified that he had
known deceased for three years; that he
vas Of a happy, tempered disposition. On
The morning OF the occurrence he was going
20 the house with Mr.. Richard and heard
he shot; entered the house and saw the
deceased. The remainder OF the testimony
vas the same as that of Mr.. Richard.
TIE AARsHALL's TORY. 5l
Marshal Stoner was sworn, and testified !
hat on the morning Of the shooting he met
Aldermen Richard and Grix, and they asked
i'm to get Smith; he went to the house and |
said he would be out in y moment; |
oft the door, and soon after heard the re-
'ort OF a pistol; returned to the house and |
rent mp stairs and saw Smith lying on the
,hich he. answered: "Gambling did it, The |
further said that he was present at
he meeting OF the Council, Monday night, |
nd that at it's conclusion Smith seemed
cry much depressed. After the shooting
deceased said to witness, II Am dying.
iood bye" - |
Simon Hauswirth testified that he had
deceased for three years; saw
lin an hour after the shooting. Smith
recognized witnessed and said, Hello,
'imon, am dying" then turned
nd asked the doctor: what
the matter with me?" The doc
Or replied, You are suffering with q gun
hot wound" Smith then asked: 'Who |
hot me?" Deceased said further that
ambling was the cause, but that he could
quare everything.
Captain Wyman testified to seeing Smith
londay night, and that he appeared alb
emit minded and in a peculiar conditions;
ad known him or three years, had al
avs known him to be honest and upright
his dealings. The witness described the
Of the deceased during the
eriod between the shooting and death, but
othing new was elected.
CAUSE OF THE ACT.
Chief Meikleiohn, Of the police force, testi-
ed that he knew the deceased intimately,
nd was his business partner. That he
him Monday night aid walked home
18th him after the meeting Of the council.
told him during the day that the
natter was to be brought np in the council.
ninth said that he would straighten it out
IL right. At the meeting OF the council he
.as hauled over the Goals in a severe man.
er. In going home with Smith he said the
ouncil had given him q rough deal; that
e had expected $500 to make the money
pod, but had not receivedit That Mayor
rank and Aldermen Richard and Grix
ere down on him and would push him to
he wall. Left deceased at the door OF his
ouse, and did not see him again until
.fter he WAS shot.
THE VERDICT
Several other witnesses were examined,
ut no additional facts elected. The Jury
Zen retired, and after consulting for q
hort time, returned a verdict that de
sased had come to his death by a pistol
hot supposed to have been inflicted by his
WIN band"
RAJ Ice.
i'll take place from the residence OF de-
.ased, on Granite street, near Washing
and will be attended by the members
I Butte Lodge No. l., 4. o. L. W. and by
host Of friends.
Neck and Ears Above Them All
the Bozc,nan Chronicle.
The Butte MINER stands to-day meek
nd ears" above any OF IT'S contemporaries
the matter OF energy, pluck and promise.
he management will O on begin the publ.
ltion OF an every day edition--sevsn days