The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-10-27
M, A. Wilson, Northern Pacific Aren't
at Butte, Blows His Brains
Out.
The Old Story of Reckless Dissipa-
tion and Shortage in His
Accounts.
The : ep Of Friend Mistaken for the
Tread An onicer Precipitates
the Deed.

BUTTE, Oct. &,-[Special. IN. w. VIII
son, ticket seller in the Northern Pacific
telegraph Office in this city, committed sui
eide at ~ o'clock to-day. The cause of the
deed was that he had been drinking and
gambling for the last three nights No.hino
was suspected by his employers, however, as
he showed up at the office sober each morn
ing. IL was part of his duty to forward
the receipts for ticket sales TO 81. Paul ev-
cry day 10y draft, and he neglected 10 do
this for the last three days Last
night Wilson was drinking and play
ing cards at the Mint. Al o'clock
he was taken TO his room at the corner Of
Wyoming and Granite streets and put 10
bed. Later he got up, dressed and went 10
Jack Dowd's gambling house on lower Main
street. where he played faro until O'Clock.
losing about $1,000. Nothayingthat much
money he gave checks ON the First National
and Clark a Lambie's banks 10 the extent
of about 5000 Having played in the house
before. his credit was considered good and
the checks accepted.
Wilson went home nj o'clock aud went
to bed. lie rose at $50 and went TO the
Northern Pacific office, taking his place az
usual. When General Agent McCaig came
down shortly after representative Of the
First National bank told him Of Wilson's
checks in favor of Jack Dowd being thrown
out, and message was sent from Clark a
Larabies' bank. asking him 10 come down
at once. Wilson heard the message and
turned pale.
Mr.. McCaig wis informed OF the situa-
tion and hurried back 30 his office and
asked Wilson il he was in trouble. Wilson
said he was not Mr.. McCaig then asked
10 see the memorandum book which con-
tanned the account Of moneys received for
tickets and drafts forwarded. Wilson
handed the book 10 him, and Mr.. McCaig
at once saw that the money for the last
three days, amounting TO about 500, had
not been forwarded. Wilson admitted this
10 be fact and said that he would 90 out
and buy the drafts Mt once and send the
money 90 81. Paul. Realizing that Wilson
did not have the money, and wishing 10 be-
friend him, Mr.. McCaig rusfled among Will
sons friends and shortly found enough re-
sponsible parties who were willing to sign
notes 10 make the deficit good.
He then went to look for Wilson, bat
could not find him. Becoming alarmed,
he found y. l.. Foster, Wilson's roommate,
and told him 10 find Wilson at once, and
tell him his difficulty with the Northern
! Pacific could be settled without exposure.
/, Foster went 10 the room and as he laid his
hand on the doorknob 10 enter he heard the
shot that ended Wilson's life.
Wilson had walked abont the streets and
talked with soule Of his friends in his usual
manner lie purchased a draft at the First
National bank for $l06.65. This was after
wards found ON his person. He then went
10 his room, undressed and laid down in his
bed. He evidently drank u quantity Of
| chloroform, as an empty chloroform bottle
was found on his washstand. II is thought
TINT be mistook the coming of his room
mate for the approach Of an officer, and as
the poison had not had time 10 take effect.
ho chose a speodier means, shooting him
self through the head with IS calibre re-
yolver, the bullet entering just over the
| right ear. He brcathed for about half an
hour. but was unconscious.
Wilson WINS 33 yearsof age and unmarried
He came here three years ago from Wood
stock, Canada, where his people still reside.
He WIS first employed by the Montana
Union, but hns been Northern Pacific ticket
seller for two years. He was popular in
society, and bore good reputation for
honesty and sobriety. His fall has been
very rapid, and was unknown even TO many
of his friends. In addition TO the draft
mentioned above, $3.50 in money was
found ON his person, and pay checks
amounting TO $6G 10. kilograms have been
sent 10 his relatives east, and the body will
be forwarded TO Canada for interment.