The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-13
But the Dealer Evidently Had Better
Aim, Although He Was
Wounded First
Lively Shooting Bee In Gambling
House at Butte Thursday
Morning.
VIM. SheerIn and Tony Levan, the Psrt!cl-
pants, Both Wounded -Bsyer, Look.
out, Also Injured.

BUrTE. Fob. 12..--l Special. THE Board Of
Trade saloon In this city was the scene OF
one Of the bloodiest shooting afrays in the
history Of the camp this morning. The
quarrel arose between William Sheerin, .
well known saloon man and gambler, and
Tony I,evan, night dealer at one of tho
Board OF Trade tables. Both Of these mon
were badly il not fatally shot and g. J.
Bayer, the lookout, was shot through the
back in trying to escape from the room.
The testimony of all present was to the
effect that Sheerin WAS the aggressor. He
had been playing bank heavily all night and
had lost about $500. This he wanted to
have returned to him. but the dealer very
naturally refused. He then asked for .
loan of $500, which was also refused, ~
none OF the proprietors were present.
Sheerin then grew angry and deeiared
that he had been robbed and that
he would have his money back
or some one would suffer. He kept these
threats mp until Levan left his table and
armed himself for the trouble that he felt
was sure to come. Sheerin continued FILL
ing up on on bad whisky until he was
wound up to the proper pitch, then step
ping back from the bar into the middle Of
the room he deliberately Ieyeled his revol-
yer and fred at Leyan. That gentleman
saw the motion and sprang to mis- feet and
around the corner Of tho table, catching
the ball in the muscles Of his back. The
shot forced him to his knees but did not
break his nerve as he at once drew his pis-
tol and commenced to return the fire. Then
the two men maintained these positions
and continued firing at each other until
both pistols were emptied. Sheerin then
sought refuge behind the bar, while Levsn
coolly walked out upon the street and gave
himself up.
With the first shot there had been q wild
rush for the door, and it was in that rush
Bayer received a stray ball in the shoulder.
When the crowd returned Sheerin was
found lying behind the bar with one ball
through the pelvic region and one through
each thigh. His wounds were regarded a.
being the most serious of all. He was taken
to the hospital and at last report was doing
we'll, though his physician refused to pre-
dict the result Of his injuries. The only
wound received by Levan was across the
back. and 30 far as could be determined the
ball had tou he'd no vital part. 1t is So
peculiarly placed. however. that the su-e con
could not determine what its result wtuld
probably be until after some time had
passed. Both are dangerously wounded
and may yet loss their lives. The wound
received by Bayer was thought to be slight.
Both principals have been placed under
arrest, but as there will be little chance for
their escaping for some time to come, no
effort was made to get bail from them.
Both men showed great nerve in receiving
each others fire, neither finching at the
punishment received. Shcerin, although
almost shot in twain. maintained his FIRE
until his last shot was gone. Levan, al
though brought to his knees by the frst
fire, was SO cool that even in the smoke he
made three center shots and then walked
out of the saloon az quietly as if nothing
had happened.