, 1889-10-31
A VICTIM OF FARO.
Suicide of an Employe of the
Northern Pacific at Butte,
Montana.
He Lost Heavily and Drew a
Number of Bogus Checks
for Pay.

BUTTE. Oct 2G.-M. w. Wilson, tSkct
seller In the Northern Pacific office In
this city, committed suicide at II o clock
to-day. The cause Of the decd was that
he had been drinking and gambling for
the last three nights. Nothing was sus-
pected by his employers, however, as lie
showed up at the office sober each morn.
ing. II was part of his duty to forward
the receipts for the ticket sales to st.
Paul every day by dran, and he neg.
lectcd to do this for the last thrco days.
Last night Wilson was drinking and
playing cards at the Mint. At 0 o'clock
he was taken TO his room at the corner
Of Wyoming and Granite streets and put
to bed. Later lie got up, dressed and
went to Juck Dowd's gambling. house on
lower Main street, where lie played faro
until O'Clock, losing about 5000. Not
having that much money hc gave checks
on the First National and Clark & Lar.
abic's banks to the extent OF about $600.
Having played in the house before, his
credit was considered good, and the
checks accepted.
Wilson went home at 9 o'clock and
went 10 bed. He arose at $3.50 and went
to the Northern Pacific office, taking his
place as usual. When General Agent
McCais came down shortly after repre-.
sentative OF the First National bank
told him of Wilson's checks in favor Of
Jack Dowd being thrown out, and mes
sage was sent from Clark 4 Larabie' $
bank, asking him to come down at once.
Wilson heard the message and turned
pale.
MIR. McCaig was informed Of tho stu
alton and hurried back to his office and
asked Wilson II he was in trouble. vii
son said he was not, Mr.. McCaig then
asked to sec the memorandum book
which contained the account OF moneys 5
received for tickets and drafts forwarded
Wilson handed the book to him, and Mr.
McCaig st once saw that the money for
the last three days, amounting to about
$500, had not been forwarded. Wilson
admitted this to be a fact and said that
he would go out and buy the drafts at
once and send the money to 81. Paul.
Realizing that Wilson did not have the
money, and wishing to befriend him,
Mr.. McCaig rustlcd among Wilson's )
friends and shortly found enalgh re-
sign notes to make the deficit good.
He then went to look for Wilson, but
could not find him. Becoming alarmed,
he found L. l.. Foster, Wilson's room
mate, and told him to find Wilson at
once, and tell him his difficulty with the
Northern Pacific could be settled without
exposure. Foster went to the room and
as he laid his hand on the dcorknob to
enter he heard the shot that ended
Wilson's life.
Wilson had walked about the streets
ana talked with some of his friends in
his usual manner. He purchased q draft
ut the First National bank for $l08 0S.
This was Afterwards found on his person.
He then went to his room, untlressed
and laid down In his bed. He evidently
drank u quantity of chloroform, as ali
empty chloroform bottle was found on
his wash stand. IL Is thought that he
mist ,ok the coming Of his roommate for
the approach of an officer, and as re
poison had not had time to take effect
he chose a spcedier means, shooting
himself through the head with 35-
caliber revolver, tho bullet entering just
over the right car. lie breathed for
about half All hour, but was uncon.
sciOus.
Wilson was ss years Of age and un.
married. He came here three years ago
from Woodstock, Canada, where Ills
people still reside. EIe was first en-
ployed by the Montana Union, but has
been Northern Pacific ticket seller tor
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
fhis friends. In addition to the draft
mentioned above, sos 10 In money was
found on his person, and pay checks
amounting to $66 10. Telsgrams have
been sent to his relatives East, and the
body will be forwarded to Canada for
interment