Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1890-03-21
A MYSTERIOUS MURDEs.



Last Tuesday evening three men
arrived here by train from Hunting
ton. One Of the parties registered as
.. Ii. Tate, commonly known as
"Tex." The names Of the other two
arc unknown. During tho evening
they met at the Red Front saloon
and Tex and one of the unknown
men engaged in game of cards with
two of our citizens. During the pro-
gress Of the game the third party was
sitting near the bar and calling for
drinks, assuming an air of extreme
verdancy, evidently intending to con-
vey the Impression that he was de-
cidedly rustic and not at all up to
the manners of such that dwell in
towns. HIS efforts in this direction
we're carried to such an extreme As to
make the attempt failure; he over
acted. His conversation was chiefly
directed to Mr.. Johnston, the propri-
etor of the saloon. He was immedi-
ately set down by the spectators III
the room as man who evidently had
some purpose in view, and more or
less speculation was indulged in as to
who or what he was. He, however,
avoided any action that would lead
to the supposition that he was in
any way connected with the other
two. After the game had quietly
broken up something gave rise to an
alteration in which some hard words
passed between him and some of the
other parties present. Mr.. Johnston
here interfered and did everything to
stop the row. Suddenly, and without
warning, he pulled a 44-calibre bull
dog and commenced an indiscrimi-
nate firing. Several of the bystand-
ers had very close calls, but the fatal
bullet was reserved for the unfortu-
nate unknown man, the ball striking
him in the right side and passing
through his body. The only words
he spoke were, al am shot,
and fell to the floor corpse. The
murderer escaped from the back
door, and although search was made
he was not found and is still at large
Nothing found on the murdered mar
gave the least clue to his identity
and the coroner's jury failed to elicit
any information that would clear w
the mystery. Subsequent events
have developed the fact that all three
must have been accomplices, ane
we're working together on some gam
bling scheme or other, but what thu
motive was for the killing, or if th'
fatal shot was meant for the one VIII,
received it, or for some other, is un
known. Steps are being taken tina
may finally unravel the mystery. Th
unknown victim was a man of fin
presence, about 80 or 35 years of age
we'll dressed, and of more than ordi
nary social accomplishments, as hi
conversation indicated. His appear
ance would indicate that he was
we'll informed professional man; i
fact, he was addressed as doctor, in
troduced as such but no one knows hi
name. Altogether 1t is as strang
and inexplicable an affair as coul
possibly happen. Wednesday afte
noon the remains were buried, an
IN an unmarked grave sleeps the viz
tim of the tragedy. The full facts ma
some day be made plain, or renal
shrouded in mystery.
Sheriff Pence having been calle
to Boise was not in town, the effor
to arrest the murderer devolved G
District Attorney King, who did a
in his power.
r The following is said to be vel
/. good description of the murdere
, Is man about 5 feet, 8 or 8 inch,
in height, and will weigh about 1.
!, pounds. Is of light complexion, ar
has a smooth, full face; also has blr
tattoo marks on the right wrist; hs
on canvas overcoat and no HI
,rbo,, he lafr