Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1892-04-07
A DESPERATE DEED.
Charles Z. Leard Deliberately Takes His
Own Life.
A Forty-0ne caliber Revolver the Weapon
Used to End His Career.

The people of Lewistown were startled
Sunday evening by the report that Charles
r.. Lizard had taken his own life. and it
was not long before the terrible fact became
generally known. The particulars, so far
IA we are able Ia learn, are as follows: Be-
tween five and six O'Clock the deceased
rode into town on horseback from his
ranch located two miles up the creek.
Tying his horse, he went in search OF some
one connected with L. {. Power Il Bros.
store, as he desired to get some cartridges,
stating that he wanted to kill a coyote
that was hanging around his hospital band
of sheep. He met Albert Erickson, who
went to the store and got him "A box oi
~forty-one caliber revolver cartridges. He
then requested Mr.. Erickson to get ID. j.
kane's revolver. which was OF the same
caliber, for him. The latter did SO, and
Leard walked across the street into ID. NJ.
Crowley's saloon. Here he asked Mr..
Smart, the bartender, for some writing ma
terial, stating that he wanted to write a
note. He was provided with the articles,
and proceeded to a room in the rear for
the purpose OF writing. having expressed a
desire to retire to a less public place than
Mr.. Crowley's desk. Before writing he had
| purchased a couple of bottles Of wine and
drank the contents OF one bottle. Mr..
Smart, discovering "a revolver in Leard's
pocket, felt uneasy. and told Mr.. Crowley
he was afraid be would do something des-
| perate. Mr.. Crowley left his place at that
time To get his supper, and meeting Jailer
l Nr.I.I, ...,aat.l Hin 20 Lob affa. I a I'd
| Before Mr.. Crowley returned to his place,
however, the terrible deed had been accom-
| plished. John w. Gray WAS interviewed by
an AsGU us reporter, and related his expert
| ence with the deceased. ITe entered Mr..
CroWley's place ut about $50 p. M, and
| passed into the club room. He stood
watching u game of cards when Mr.. l.eard
came out of the back room after having
finished writing the note. The latter sent
word in To Mr.. Gray by Mr.. Smart, stating
that lac wanted him to come out and have
something with him. At the same time
| Smart told Mr.. Gray that the deceased
had q revolver in his pocket. Mr.. Gray
stepped np To Leard, and reaching around
behind him took the revolver out of his
pocket. The deceased protested, hut Mr..
Gray told him he should not he carrying n
revolver, as he was liable to he arrested,
when the latter remarked, You don't
think ] would kill any one in this town, de-
you'" Mr.. Gray said no, but insisted ON
keeping the weapon. Leard said he carried
il to Kill "a coyote that was bothering his
sheep, and finally said the weapon was
not loaded. He asked Mr.. Gray to 90
with him to the rear of the saloon as he
wanted to have II private talk with him,
to which Mr.. Gray consented. Upon reach,
ing the outside he again insisted upon Mr..
Gray's giving him the revolver, while the
latter attempted to argue with him. Sud
denly he knocked the weapon out Of Mr..
Gray's hand and got possession of it,
Still Mr.. Gray urged him to go in and put
the revolver away. He said he would,
then said, Wait u moment and taking a
step or two around the corner OF the house
raised the weapon to his head and fired the
fatal shot, the bullet entering the side Of
the head back of the right ear. Soon after
the shooting the note which he had written
was found by Mr.. Crowley lying ON the
dressing case in his room. From this note
it will be seen that the deed was premedi
tated, and hat il thwarted in this attempt
he would have only waited for a more ia
vorable opportunity to take his life. TIN
note found reads as follows:
Mr.. WILLARD ii. Lizard,
.. L~ewistown, Montana.
DEAR BoY-After mature elaboration
have decided that the best thing | can dc
is to take "A shot at the undersigned.
owe nothing to anyone except Dan-or not
- .V--. g. -.
place. Pay Dan. Begoodt to your mother
Take her out of here. No more at present
Yours always,
\. CHARLES f. LEARD.
!, T.. S. Ii any fool hereafter says | killed
Tom just shoot hin and charge the bill tC
me. Yours as always,
,, c. Z. Lizard.
Immediately after the shooting deceased
5 was removed to the DeFrate residence oil
{ Main street, and a courier dispatched t.
| advise his mother and brother OF what ha,
happened. They came down at once, ant
remained by the bedside of the dying mai
until he breathel his last, which was abou
r $50 a. III Monday. Drs. Lapslme, Han
son and Willard were called soon after tn
shooting, and declared the wound "A fat
, one.
A coroner's inquest was held at = p. IN
Monday, and the facts elected were sub
stantially as given above. A verdict wa
rendered as follows:
IL STATE or MoNTANA,I
County of Fergus.
Il An inquisitiou holde at Lewistown, il
the county oi Fergus, ou the lth day @
April, A. ID. 1892. before me. W. f. Han
b son, coroner OF said county, upon the bod.
Of Charles +. Leard. then lying dead, by tn
4 jurors whose names are hereunto sui
t. scribed, the said jurors upon their oath
= do say: That Charles f.. Lesrd came &
his death by a pistol shot wound OF tn
o right side OF his head behind the ear. ia
- tiicted 10y his own hand while lahurin
under temporary alteration Of mind.
-, ALI j. STEPHENS,
Il. r.. DAILY,
Il. w. POOLE,
CHARLES &. LoNG,
w. II. WALKER,
j. HopZEMER.
\ The ~funcral was held On Tuesday at = /
M, and was conducted by Revs. Van Orsle
. Craven and Coombe The latter preache,
a very impressive sermon to "A large an,
~ sympathetic congregation
-, The mother has the sympathy Of tn
taptira cntnunnnity in this her sac.uI 1raa