The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-08-31
AN ~uNPROvoKED MURDER.
James McGurren Shot and Killed at Gold Creek
Station by Philip Allen, Of Pioneer.

An unprovoked and cowardly murder oc-
cured in front Of McGurren's saloon at Gold
Creek Station yesterday, Thursday, about 8
o'clock in the forenoon, Philip Allen, OF
Pioneer, shooting James MEG urren with a
rife, killing him instantly.
From Mr.. James Keenan,, who came here
after coffin, clothing and an embalmer, we
have the following account: Thursday
morning at 9 o'clock James McGurren, Pat
Toner, VIM. Haney and the section boss
named Murray were in the saloon building
owned by McGurren at Gold Creek Station
Philip Allen, of Pioneer, rode up and called
McGurren out. McGurrsn said "Come in,
come in" Allen replied, "Come out; l want
to speak to you" McGurren then went out
to where Allen was, q few feet from the
door. Allen then accused McGufren of hav-
ing branded one of his calves. McGurren
said, 81 did not" Allen answered, 'You
did" McGurren again replied, swell, I did
not" and turned to 60 into the saloon, when
Allen fred at him with . rifle. McGurren
fell, was carried into the saloon by the above
mentioned men and shortly after died
Meantime Allen had mounted his horse and
rode away toward the river. Mr.. Keenan,,
who arrived soon after, examined the body
and found a bullet hole in the breast, and AZ
those present said McGurren was shot in the
back the ball had passed clear through him
Justice Dan Berry and Constable Thos. Carr,
Of Drummond, were telegraphed for and
1901 arrived. Sheriff Coleman was also tele
praphed for and was met en- route. Doubtless
q vigorous pursuit was instituted at once and
Allen will be captured.
A remarkable feature Of this killing is that
both were men advanced in years, McGurren
being past fifty and Allen his senior, and
that both have been peaceable, law-abidine
men. McGurren was the owner of a farm u
Gold Creek Station and we'll to do. He hao
inst returned home Monday from st
Joseph's Hospital, Deer Lodge, where h<
had been recovering from the effects OF =
kick from q horse, and was still crippled
some.
Allen is known as a peaceable, industrious
man not ordinarily given to quarreling. ~
mined at Lincoln in the early days, was a
Cedar Creek for q time, and has lived and
mined at Pioneer the past Is years. He bad
made some losses at mining, is a man OF 90
stinate will, and has l~atterly, since his losses
crown soured and cranky. A couple OF year
400 he tried to have Pat Toner indicted herr
~ branding one of his calves. II 1t nae
heen done it was through an unlntent'ona
m,...ka of the men doing the BRANDING ane
Toner voluntarily offered him double TN
.r;ma,'s value to satisfy him; but he wou't
,;,ten tn nothing. The Grand Jury dismissed
tho complaint. The circumstance leading U
the present trouble we know nothing o. ou
It is not reasonable McGurren wou,a Try -
denrive him of q penny. Anyhow the mus
.or. -.,oted was an atrocious one. No on
you'd have thought such . thing possible.
Allen is married but has no children
McGurren was single. he came here w.
buckingham, Canada. His brother just &c
Gently came here. -. ne.
T. ia the intention to bury him in the Ice Zee
Lodge cemetery on the arrival OF 'ne -
train today, and to remove the body eas
next winter. w