The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-03-08
WALKER ON TRIAL.
The slayer Of Lunquist and Reese at Al
hambra Before the Court

BOULDER, March I.-lopecialt0 70 the In
dependent THE inactivity which charac-
terized court proceedings thus far was
brought to close yesterday afternoon
when the Walker murder case was reached
for trial. Although the homicide was q
marked one, and resulted IN the death Of
OF two men, much difficulty was not expe-
rienced insthe Impanelling Of a jury, and
At the adjournment hour jury had been
selected and the opening statement Of the
prosecution completed. In this statement
was outlined the proof intended 10 be In
troduced and which is 10 the effect that at
the time Of the shooting the deceased,
Charles Lunqulst, was held by one or
more persons who lnterfered 10 sup
press the disturbance. That while the
deceased was thus held the defendant
who was the bartender, deliberately
walked from behind the counter and with
revolver fred at the deceased and missed
him, killed another who had just alighted
from the train and happened 10 be passing
at the time. and agAin fired at the deceased.
killing him almost instantly; but 10 Offset
this the defense expect 10 show that at the
time OF the shooting the excitement was In
tense, and that there was going on Q gem
erAl disturbance, In which chairs, as mis-
siles, played conspicuous part, and that
the deceased at the time OF the assault
upon him by the defendant was brandish-
ing chair, apparently with the intent Of
carrying Into execution threats which had
previously been made by him.
Court convened at $50 o'clock this morn
Ing, and Immediately thereafter the exami.
nation OF Witnesses commenced. The gem
eral tenor Of the testimony OF the witnesses
Is 10 the effect that the deceased came 10
the saloon In which the defendant was EN-.
ployed ~ bartender, early In the afternoon
and from the start seemed anxious To en-
gage IN q quarrel. Possessing physical
powers far In excess OF those ordinarily
possessed by the generality Of men, he
seemed 70 take especial delight In engag-
Ing In feats which would afford the best
not engaged In drinking, which he did CO.
piously, he was amusing himself by lost
ling somebody around, all the time using
obscenity OF the most repulsiye character
A few moments before the shooting q
Chinaman happened TO pass In front Of the
saloon, and seeing the Celestial he attacked
him by throwing him on the ground.
This act OF unprovoked cruelty on the part
Of deceased aroused the anger OF q man
named Bagley. who happened around at
the tune, and upon his demonstrating with
him for his treatment OF the Chinaman
BAgley received some rough treatment.
which resulted upon his being thrown to
the floor of the saloon. Bagley thereupon
got of the floor, and taking chair struck
the deceased over the head without any
apparent effect. but which resulted In
smashing the chair, the bottom OF which
flew behind the counter where the defend
thrown PROSTATE upon the floor by the de-
ceased, and remained there. At this time
matters had assumed quite belllgerent
aspect. and the bystanders and 0nlookers,
apprehenslye OF danger, as the deceased at
thls time had become furious, and had
armed himself with chair which
he had held uplifted In his hand,
proceeded TO arm themselves In like man
ner with chairs, which were the only
juncture OF affairs the defendant came
from behind the counter. At the time Of
the shooting the deceased was approaching
him, OF facing him, with the uplifted chair
In his hands. There seems TO be some con-
flIct Of Testimony In the statements OF the
witnesses for the prosecution ~ 10 whether
at the time OF the shooting the deceased
was held. Some OF the witnesses testify
that Immediately after knocking Bagley
down the second time he was held by
Deal, an onl00ker, and was 30
held by him when shot, while others testi-
fy that Deal held him but short time, and
az soon as he succeeded In dIsengaging
himself he rushed for the door TO effect an
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