The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-06-25
Policeman VIM. Jordan Assassinated
While on Duty at an Early
Morning Hour.
Not Far From the Place Where
the Late w. J. Penrose
Was Killed.
The Deed Supposed to Have Been Conn
mittcd by Burglars--NO Clue to
the Murderers.

VIM. y. Jordan was shot and killed on his
beat At 3:30 o'clock this morning. The
murder occurred on Idaho street. in the vi
cinity Of the 6isters' hospital, and In the
same portion Of the city - that in which
W. ]. Penross was killed. People living in
the vicinity were startled by five or six pis-
tol shots ringing out at that tins. and
started out to investigate. Alderman w. j.
Kennedy, Of 3l5 South Idaho street. in
front Of whose house the murder was COM
Jordan lying on the sidewalk and heard
him groan three times. An instant later
Jordan was dead. The city has bsen wild
with excitement over the crime and not
since the Penrose murder has the feeling
been so intense.
The general accepted theory is that the
officer had found the men attempting bur-
glary, had at attempted to arrest them, and
was killed for his pains. The shots had
been fired at him from two different guns.
The fatal shot pierced the heart just below
the left nipple. II was 45-calibrs bullet,
and passed through the hsart to the right
side and came ont about six inches below
the right shoulder blade in the back. An
and was 32-calibre bali. Two bullets
cashed into adjoining houses. One Of
these was 45-calibre. and it il believed
that Jordan. when dying fred two shots At
the retreatinR murderers, Jordan's gun be-
ing OF 45-calibre. A number Of people who
heard the shots and put their heads out Of
windows saw man running away and from
tho descriptions given it is evident that the
men ran in different directions. Early in
the morning horses were obtained and men
have been securing the city and surround
ing country. -Four suspicious characters
have been arrested, but there ia little likeli-
hood that any Of them are the guilty
parties.
Chief Gray and Officers higgins and
Grifiths mounted horses and started in pur-
suit OF the murderers. They left here be-
fore five O'Clock. On the way they learned
from an Italian milkman, whose ranch ,s
back Of Burlington, near the Blus Bird
mine, that about four O'clock man rode
by his place in great haste and looked back
occasionally. The milknan thought the
man looked scared. After getting . de-
scription Of the man and his horse, the Of
hcers dashed on. Near Silver Bow they
came across the supposed fugitive. Hs was
only boy looking mp some strange cattle.
The three men then journed on to Silver
Bow. but could hnd no Glue there. Nobody
in the neiRhborhood had ssen any men.
However, they searched every nook and
quarter, and every car about the place.
They got two men who proved to be inofen-
sive miners. They were sleeping in a car
at Silver Bow. They were released. The
officers then returned to the city, but on
the way back made . thorough search of
Missoula gulch and the western portion of
the city, but obtained no olew. A posse OF
five other men took the trail later in the
morning. They were sworn in as special
officers and began search in all directions.
Nobody saw the shooting, 40 in Just whit
manner it was provoked will probably never
be known. At IL O'Clock last night Officer
Jordan went TO his home for lunch. His
wife told him to be careful when he left,
and he replied that there was no danger.
At a restaurant this morning q man re-
last night on his boat. Jordan remarked
that he had been on the trail Of couple of
fellows for some time. but he felt that he
was fixed to receive them last night.
Jordan was one of the bravest and most
efficient officers in Butte and for years has
been on the force. He was formerly chief
of the FIRE department.. Hs leaves a wife
and four children. He Was 40 yoars of age.
Mayor Mantle to-day offered reward OF
5000 on behalf of the city OF Butte for the
arrest Of the murderers. A special force Of
twenty-five policemen has been sworn in, aa