The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-10-23
John L. Billings, of Butte, Takes an
Overdose of Morphine With
Fatal Effect.
The Deadly Drug Purloined After
1t Had Been Refused by
a Friend.
Remorse Caused by Dissipation Relieved
10 he the Cause-Well Connected
In the East

BuTTr, Oct. 22.-lSpecial. John l.. Bill
lings, one of the best known and best con-
nected young men of Butte, committed sui
eide to-day 10y taking morphine. He came
10 Butte from Denver two years AGO, and
entered into business with II. L.. Hornbrook.
and the two bought ore for the Pueblo
smelter. They were successful in business
way, but Billings drifted into had habits.
which led 10 dissolution of the partner
ship several months ago Since that time
Billings has been going down hill very fast.
and last night he was up all night
drinking and gambling. This morning
at $50 he went into Singers drug
store and asked for morphine, saying he had
been drinking and wanted to 20 10 sleep.
The clerk, JEFF Thoroughman, was well
acquainted with Billings, but refused 10
give him the drug, and instead he went TO
the prescription case and put up a dose of
bromide and yaleran. which he told Bill
ings to take and he would 90 20 sleep all
right.
Thoroughman then left the store. Billings
remaining in the doorway. saving he would
wait for the cable ear. Instead of takino
the car. he went back into the drug store
and waited until the clerks back was
turned, when he stole bottle of morphine.
containing about ten grains. which he had
observed in the case, while Thorouphman
WIS filling the prescription. The bottle
was plainly marked morphine. This was
done secretly and was not suspected by the
clerk. Mr.. Thoroughman returned TO the
store shortly after .. The first customer on
whom he was called 20 wait had pre-
scription which contained morphine Mr..
Thoroughmnn stepped 10 the case TO lill il
and Immediately observed that the NOR
phine bottle was gone. Mr.. Singer and the
clerk both said that they had not used the
bottle and MIR. Thoroughman's mind at
once reverted to Billings, and presenti
mon, of the truth filled him with alarm.
He at once informed friends of Billings and
began 10 search for him, but was unsuccess
ful, M no one knew where Billings
roomed.
The latter in the meanwhile had gone 10
his room at Mrs. 4. Boyce's, opposite the
Clear Grit mine. He told Mrs. Boyce he
was going to go to bed to sleep till to-mor-
row, M he had been drinking. He went up
stairs, swallowed all the morphins
and threw the bottle out OF
the window. He then undressed and
laid down for his last sleep. Al u O'Clock
daughter Of Mrs. Boyce was attracted 10
the room by the sound Of his loud breath
ing, and lifting up the bed covering saw
that his face was getting black. She gave
the alarm, and DIR. Gillespie, who was
passing by. WIS Immediately summoned.
All the remedies known 10 science we're ap-
piled, but all 10 no avail. The poison had
done its deadly work, and nj few minutes
after 3o'clock Billings brcathed his last.
He was "a years Of age and came
originally from Brooklyn. N. v. in
which city his father is clergyman of
rank. He had nm uncle in New Orleans.
who is on the supreme bench Of louisiana,
and his brother at Denver is known all over
the west as man of high rink in the bus
iuess and social world. coroner's inquest
was held this afternoon and the remains
will be held until answer can be received
from Mr.. Billings. OF Denver