The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-02-21
Ed Smith Shot and Instantly Killed
By Woman Whom He
Attacked.
Left Alone, Mrs. ONO 10 Compelled
70 Protec5 Herself From
a Brute.
The story OF tho Afair as Told BY
The WomAn-A Warning 60
Loafers.

Borrr. Feb, 9O.-lspecial.l IA messenger
from Black Tail canyon at an early hour
this morning brought in tho information
that Mrs. Charles Ono had killed man
about ten miles south OF Butte. Deputy
Sheriff Nichols went out and returned with
Mira. ONO, who is now in Sheriff Lloyd's
house. She told THE INDEPENDENT CORE
spondent the following story this morning:
~ am the wife Of Charles ONO. and have
been living with him in n ittlo cabin in the
Little Black Tail canyon. My husband is
woodchopper, and goes ont logging for
The mines in Butte. Tho man whom
| shot is Ed Smith. lie worked
FOR my hushSnd last summer and quit
about September, think IL was. Three
days before he lett he insulted me with an
indecent proposition. | told my husband
about it at the time. Smith then LETT and
did not soc him again until last Tuesday.
| was in Butte on that day and saw him on
the street. lie stopped and spoke TO me.
bat except TO pass the time Of day there
was no conversation between us. did
not SEQ him again until yesterday afternoon.
Between 4 and o'clock l was lying on
the lounge in my home. bly husband
had gone to work On the mountain about a
mile and half from the cabin. was doz-
ing and my face was turned away from the
door. | thought il was my husband Ie-
t1rring for somotbing. rs Smith did rot
Enock bat opened The door and came m.
Che first knew Of his presence he leaned
over me on the sofa. craspci both OK nv
arms and tried 10 kiss nae. | HAl scrv
str my woman. and pushed him away. 4
was not afraid VI him. lie aat down or
chair and picked up hgtcher-kniie that
WIS lying ON the edge of the table. and be-
gan foolinR with il. When lac got the knife
! began 60 be afraid Of him. lie thon told
me that he had come out from Butte for the
purpose of assaulting me. and he did not
propose 10 be defeated in his purpose.
then tried TO run out OF the door, but tho
cabin is very small. He caught me and
threw me backwards on the bed. After n
struggle alippod my hand undcr the pillow
aud act the revolver NV husband
had aeoA IN butte tnc night before
and having 20 sleep alone in the cubin, I
had placed the revolver under my pillow.
When he threw me on the bed I remem-
bered this, and reached for the revolver
When he saw that had IL ho rushed for tho
knife, which be had laid on the table NC II n.
had been screaming during the sculle. and
now ordered him out Of the house. | told
him did mot want 10 kill him. He clinched
me again. with the knife in his hand. and
said, ! will cut your throat and assault you
while you arc dying
Then tried 20 shoot him. He caught
the revolver and turned IL down and the
bullet went through my apron. l think |
6red another shot in the cabin, but was So
excited that emit remember exactly; then
he ran out OF the bogsc. ran out and
started 10 Mr. Beol'a, about quarter Of a
mile further MP the road. lie caught me
ogain iu the middle Of tho road, little way
from the cabin, and threw me down. II
WAC here that | killed him. think that
fired four shots in all, and that three
of them hit him, but, | cannot say definite
ly. did not look at the body. They told
me that he was shot through the temple.
got up and ran Go Bsck's, and the old gem
tleman went after my husband. When
saw my husband | got weak and broke
down, and lhoy carried Ine into Beck's.
Il did not intend to Kill him. and ordered
him away mnny lines, but he would not GO.
and would not surrender my honor. l
came 10 the city this morning with Mr..
Nichols and hope will haven hearing soon,
co that can 20 back home.'
Smith was about 20 years Of age and has
worked as a common laborer in and about
Butte for several years past. lie was short
and stout. Two OF the bullets took effect in
his head, and his death must have been al
most instantaneous. Mrs. ONO is of Ger
man pareatage, but born IN Kansas. Her
maiden namo was Clara llnndley. She is
- years old aud il blonde and good
looking. large and Of powerful frame. She
told her story with eomposure and dignity.
Her clothing showed the marks Of
the terrible struggle she had been through,
and powder burns ON her clothing testified
that the shooting had beon done at very
close quarters. Her husband. Charles Ono,
is one Of the principal witnesses in the re-
cent trial about precinct "a. Coroner Eddy
went oVt to-day TO hold an inquest, but as
there were no eye-wiinCsses 10 the killing.
no testimony in addition 10 the above could
be developed. The body will be brought 10
Butte tomorrow and mn inquest held here.
/
THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.