The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1900, 1889-04-28
A Murderer Surrender.

HELENA, April H.-This morning about
10 o'clock, as Judge Sanders was talking
to few policemen In the marshal's oflce,
there entered the room good looking
young man attired In neat spring suit,
set of with spotless linen, fashionable
necktie and derby hat, who asked for the
city marshal. He was told that marshal
Hand was not in; then he beckoned officer
Kuntz to the door, saying he wanted to
speak to him privately. Tho stranger
had fair complexion and light hair, and
q pair Of blue eyes that twinkled with ex-
element as he spoke. No other signs Of
was visible as might have
been expected under the circumstances,
for he revealed to officer Kuntz one Of
the darkest secrets Of human life, even
surprising that brave official. In = few
words the young man made known that
he now desired to give himself up to the
law for killing man in Maryland last
February. Officer Kuntz took his pipe
out of his mouth long enough to utter Z
suppressed whistle aud then led the
young nan up to the police court where
Judge Sanders had already preceded them.
Here he unfolded the secret Of his life
before the astounded magistrate, telling
the story in an intelligent manner and
speaking with an earnestness that he was
glad to get the load of his mind. He
gave his name ~ John ]. McGeady, and
said: my name ia John J. McGeady. I
am Is years of age, have = wife living in
Maryland. Last February was engaged
In the coal mines At Midland, Md. It
was the custom Of myself and wife to go
out Saturday evenings to the home Of my
parents, three miles from Midland and
spend Sunday with them. On Saturday,
February 18th last, my wife went out as
usual; remained in town to do some
collecting IS It was pay day for the mines.
I knew that this would keep me until
late, and as would have to walk to my
fathers after dark, placed revolver in
my pocket for protection In case of need.
l became somewhat intoxicated and the
last thing 1 remember ia standing in front
of a saloon that night talking with q friend,
Barry Creesan, in presence of = large
crowd. We quarreled AID pulled my
revolver and fred Il shot. Then somebody
caught me by the thumb and bit It, lac
Grating it terribly. What did with the
revolver do not know. When regain
ed consciousness was walking along q
railroad track; had q confused notion
that had hurt somebody and wanted to
60 away. Reaching station called Bar.
ing, near Midland, boarded train and
went to Wheeling, West Va, and saw Z
copy Of the Wheeling Register chronic
stating that was the murderer, and wal
wanted by the officers. l changed m,
name twice and fled westward 10 Ohio
then to Colorado. where resumed m,
own name and worked ON a motor cal
line in Denver. From there | went t
Ogden, then came to Butte, and ther1
to Helena, arriving here last night. tn,
torture Of my conscience over the terrible
deed I had committed, which at timel
made me insane, and had some days per
feet blanks, and induced me to give my
self up. When l reached Helena til,
, strain became so great l could stand
no longer and here l am. God knows
did not mean to kill my friend. How
came to do it l will never know, but
have suffered the torture of the damne,
ever since and no punishment the la,
can intlict will not he greater thanI hav
gone through already and am ready t.
, take the consequences" The young maj
was then placed in custody and given
bunk in the city Jail. At the young man
request kilograms were sent to his parent
and wife in Maryland, though no answe
has yet been received from them. Fl
. processes great affection for his youn
wife and says his anxiety to see her and hi
parents aided him to make up his min
), to surrender himself. Sheriff Otto Hob
ing, of Cumberland, Md, was at once nc
Z titled of the arrest. Hohing telegrapha
to hold McGerdy and he will sand a
officer for him. As McGeady is spoilin
to 60 with a requisition the officer vii
come on at once.