The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1888-02-15
BOZEMAN M. T, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY IS, 1888
HART's STORY.
From the Herald we CLEAN the follow
ing account told by Hart:


I
"My true name is Patrick John HART.
I was born of poor but respectable par
ents in st. Johns, New Brunswick, June
22d, 1868. My mother died when I was
nine months old and my father when
was fourteen. My father was drunkard
and unable to take care of me, so was
taken by charitable people and sent to
the Sisters convent, where was brought
up Catholic. My religion is a great
comfort to me and would not give it
up for ANYTHING. There is something
in me that tells me there is life be-
yond the grave and do not fear to die.
l rejoice in my coming execution. as l
think it will rid ME of the cares of earth.
In 1882, think, 1 came to Bozeman
where worked at hotel kept by Phil
Skeehan. Then went to Wickes, where
chopped wood and drove team for
Ellis & Berendes. have ALWAYS earned
an honest and resi- ectable living by
hard work and those who employed me
will bear witness to my good character
previous to my trouble. l afterwards
went to Elkhorn, arriving there four
months before the trouble. There l
drove team, chopped wood, and also
worked for the company did some
prospecting and had a mine, which
turned over to my attorney, Mr. Duffy.
II boarded at the Foster House, Elk
horn, and there became acquainted with
Miss Sarah Starkweather, daughter to
Mrs Pitts, and stepdaughter Of John
Pitts, miner. visited her frequently,
and she became as a sister TO me, her
companionship keeping me out of the
saloons. On the morning of November
7th, 1885, found Sarah Starkweather at
breakfast crying. l asked her what was
the matter. She said her stepfather had
deserted her mother. went to see Mrs.
Pitts. She told me that Pitts had gone
to Boulder to have me arrested and get a
divorce from her.
"Then," continued HART, II saddled
up and went to Boulder. inquired at
the court house if Pitts had been there
and heard he had not. This relieved me,
as knew if he wanted to arrest me he
would apply there. was feverish and
nervous with excitement. Knew Pitts
stories about me had been circulate and
feared l might be lynched for seduclng
the girl, whereas was innocent of any
improper conduct with her. In this
frame of mind sought Pitts at various
places in Boulder. found him about
10 O'Clock in the morning of the 7th of
November at Jerry Smiths saloon. Not
wishing to talk to him before the men
in the saloon quietly took drink and
walked out, where waited until Pitts
came out. Then we had talk. l told
him what his wife had told me and asked,
him if he had said that hal lived at
Chicago Joe's in Helena (that being what
Mrs. Pitts had said he accused me off,
He said he had not. Then asked him if
he sail had frequented houses of i'll
fame in Bozeman. He replied eyes;
and you know you did," I denied it
and we had further words, he accusing
me of running his daughter and bring
ing disgrace upon the family. ending by
saying he was going to have me arrested.
Then We parted. pondered over the
situation and became convinced that l
must do something to clear my name. 1
was innocent and knew Pitts had trum-
ped up these charges simply as prstext
for getting divorce from his wi fe.
Shortly after went to the court house.
saw Pitts there in Wells Office, presumed
he was getting out papers for my arrest,
and shot him. NV hand shook when l
fired the first shot, and as he staggered
up and came towards me l shot him
again. felt relieved as s,on as had
done the deed, and, relying on nv in
nocence of the crime charged and think.
ing the charges a justification for the
shootion, at once gave myself up to an
officer"
"Were YOU under the influence of
liquor that morning ?" asked the report
er.
81 was not" said HART. 81 had taken
one drink, as 1 told you, in Smiths
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