The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-05-18

for help, believing that ] was dying.
would have fallen insensible to the ground
said, as ] felt myself falling into uncon-
sciousness: Don't be alarmed. Captain,
that is just what happened to me at dinner
time."
In moment I appeared to regain my
consciousness, but what was my horror to
discover eight or ten Of the men staggering
aroun AZ, and some fallen to the ground, call
l am dying" etc. The spasms of some
were fearful. One young man in particular
fell backward, with his eyes distepded, and
pale as death, remaining for awhile entirely
insensible. The CONSERVATION was fearful,
for awhile none knew what to do or
say. The axemRn, on duty as
cook and transit man had not yet been
effected and they shortly after proposed
that We all drink coffee. Immediately the
ranchman filled the pots, and the fire be-
came covered with various utensils, "a each
man was in hurry to secure warm water
and water snd fairly gulped it down in the
hopes of exciting vomiting. One lrishman
drank at least quart of mustard and
water, pint of coffee and, finally, warm
water with salt. He would come up to me
frantically, saying:
an emetic in the camp, 5000 for puke
Oh God! shall die, know will
My own feelings were horrible in the ex-
treme. A dark suspicion settled in my
mind that the a1eman had put strychnine
into into the flour, and when ts,n he Of.
he were a fiend desiring to make sure Of
his foul work. We had in the wagon q
quart bottle of castor oil, which, in the de-
SIRE to excite vomiting, was soon more than
half consumed. But was too suspicious to
take anything from the wagon, SO when the
- AL L. L - E..
drink of soda and milk gladly accepted.
As was climbing the fence a second spasm,
nearly as bad az the first, seized me, and
for a moment was terrified beyond mess
ure. My muscles stiHened everywhere ex-
cept at the waist. The paroxyism soon
observed that the ranchman's dog ran up
and down, jumping towards his masters
face, licking his hands and showing every
conceivable sign of affection.
"What is the matter, King; don't be SO
playful" said his master. Scarcely had he
uttered the words when the dog stiftened
and fell head foremost on the floor. dead.
Trembling with excitement, I felt his legs;
they were as stiff as iron bars. believe
now that that dog could have been balanced
on the last joint of his tail, but at the time
[ was in no humer 70 try the experiment.
Crossing the field again, was seized with
the third and last distinct attack. We OBJ
served that exercise always brought them
on. Meantime the attacks were becoming
weak and nervous. We became satisfied
that poison had been put into both the
-four and sugar.
| AS the men became convinced that they
could have been the diabolical villain.
McKinstry, for one. expressed his convic-
ton that Tanning was evil minded enough
to be guilty of any crime. To this SEN
timent there was almost unanimous
assent. The ranchman, moved by the loss
Of s e. out
guilty man. Our jolly Irish chairman, the
one who offered five thousand dollars Cor a
vomit, sang out, men. let us hang him.''
Ellis sickness is a sham, let us hang the
villain said others, Fright, boys chimed
pine in the gulch above my house,"
. A general movement was made towards
Fanning's tent.
Seeing the men meant serious business, I
called. with all the strength of my en-
feebled condition: "Hold: let's wait till
DR.. Mitchell arrives from Deer Lodge" A
neighboring ranchman had started at mid
night on q thirty-6ve mile ride for the doc
For moment felt that my influence
was gone and that the excited, nervous men
would surely hang the cook.
had kept my suspicious Of an,
other to myself tot they had asa
cooks bad nature and peculiar actions as
related by the men. As a last resort, how
ever, as the men gathered at Fanning's
camp to drag him out, called to them
again:
innocent man. l suspect another OF the
"Who is he?" shouted Mcintyre. "By
the GODS" he said. drawing huge navy re.
volver, name the man, captain, and TIL
blow his head off"
From the appearance of the fifteen de.
life and death in my hands. They liked
me and had evidenced their friendship on
all occasions. They looked from one an
other, each conscious of innocence,
but apparently ready to immo:
late anyone against whom l could
when the demand came for me to name the
man, my suspicion of McKinstry faded into
| the air. Yet must do something to save
poor tanning's life, and finally l told them
| that I could not name the man just then
but would do SO if any further evidence
greatly desired to consult with DR.. Mitchell,
whom several of the party knew to be q
| clear-headed, fearless man. This ultima
| tum was accepts d.
agreed that Tanning should be closely
| guarded, and Mcintyre placed himself in
the grass by the tent door, with pistol
ready to shoot if he made motion to es.
| cape.
The afternoon following the doctor ar.
| rived. After general talk he said
we we're were probably poisoned
with strychnine, He told the
men that from all evidence it appeared tc
him that it must have been an accidental
occurrence, poison for wolves, ETC.. he said,
being sold everywhere. doubtless little OF
| it had become mixed with our provisions
Every one in the party agreed that if we had
only got little of it, strychnine would 60 q
long way in seasoning provisions. Con
sequently every package which had beer
opened was burned and a most careful
| search made for poison.
In the meantime DR.. Mitchell and hai
a consultation with Tanning. As the doc
| tor went into the tent he said: What il
| the matter with you? Tanning replied: 9
don't know, doctor. am very sick, bai
pains in my stomach and head; zee throw
up everything eat