The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-03-29
ACCIDENT, NOT ASSAULT.
Contractor Mccarter Was Thrown
From His Cart BY Running
Into ! Fence.
John Larson Had NothinG to DC
With Il and u
Released.
The Injured MONS Condition II Compli-
Gated by Reason Of an Iajary 70
His Spine.

llContractor Alfred McCarterss injuries
were the result Of accident. That fact was
settled yesterday. The theory Of assault
either from malice or with intent to rob,
was exploded yesterday, when any number
Of circumstances combined to show that he
was thrown from his driving cart while on
the way home. It was learned early in the
day that Mr.. McCarter had,started TO drive
home late ON Friday night, In company
with John Larson. The latter get out be-
fore they had gone very far. and Mr.. Nc
Carter continued alone. At the corner OF
Madison avenue and Cannon street there %
a fence around an p lot. Either too
sharp a turn was made in the darkness, or
the horse became frightened at the motor
and got beyond the drivers control. Any
how, the right side Of the wagon struck the
fence, tearing ont a post md a
plank. and throwing Mr.. McCarter from
the seat to the ground with great force. AS
he was found several yards from where the
cart struck the fence, it is likely That he was
dragged along, and that the wopnd on ms
hicle. The horse was found standing near
a fence not far from Mr.. McCarter's home
earlv yesterday morning, with the broken
cart still hanging to him. The right wheel
was broken to pieces, and the only thing
remaining of it was the hub.
Yesterday morning by his brother-in-law,s
samuel Turner. He was only conscious at
brief intervals during the day. and In one
of his lncid moments mumbled something
about his horse being frightened BY the
motor. In addition to the terrible scald
wound. he received an injury to ms spine
which may complicate his case and mill
tate against the chances of his recovery.
His condition is very serious. DR.. Salvail,
the family physician, ia attending him.
During the day Mrs. McCarter t~elephoned
to the police station, requesting the release
of Larson. as she was satisfied he had
nothing whatever to do with her husbands
injuries. After being satisfied that such
was the case the police turned Larson
loose. He tells the following story of
his connection with the occurrence; INC
Carter and myself had been drinking in q
saloon on Main street near the Haymarket.
His horse and cart were standing on the
opposite side of the street. When he start
ed to 20 home he asked me to ride out with
him, as he went past my house. We started
up Lawrence street. Before we had gone a
block, I asked him to let me out. The seat
of the cart was too small for us both and
the concern seemed kind of rlckety. 1
started to walk home and he drove on
ahead. 1t took me about twenty minutes to
reach the place where the accident happened.
There I saw a man lying in the road. I
saw he was badly hurt but did not recog
nize him rs McCarter. I went for my son
in-law, John Hagerty. to get him to help
with the man. HaRerty went for the po-
liceman and we took the man to the station
house," Larson admits that he was very
drunk, which accounts for his not being
able to give o clear account of the stfair
early in the morning. re,4
It was also learned that Mr.. McCafter
did not have much money with him on FRI
day night. At the most the amount in his
pockets could not have exceeded five or six
1ollara ~