The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-03
ONE OF THE men CAUGHT
Implicated in the Murder Of Swend-
son Near the Gas Works
Last May.
Ono OF the Most Brutal Crimes
Ever Committed In
the Town.
Joc Riley. Said to Have Confessed In Min
nespolIs That Ifo Is Ono OF
the Murderers.

Scharrenbroich in your city. May 15 1892.
He answers description of first man in your
circulars of May 10. 1892. and Sept. 10.
1892. Does not deny he was there at that
time, and has told a man hero that he was
one OF tho three twho committed the mur-
der. Answer." Requisition fpapers will be
secured to-day, and Riley will bo brought
back and tried. The murder of Swendson
WAS one OF the most brutal that ever oc-
ourred in the history Of Helena and culmi-
mated in the shooting and wounding Of
Policeman Peter Scharrenbr About
half past six O'Clock on Sunday night, May
Is, 1899, John Hwendson, who had been en-
ployed on the works at the Wickes tunnel,
came into the Montana Central depot.
From there it is not known exactly where
he went. but about 10 O'Clock he found him
self in the vicinity Of the gas works. There
three mon met him. One of them asked
him for Il match, and at the samo time
grabbed him by the throat. The other two
men then took hand in the assault,
and throwing Swendson on his back,
went through his pockets, taking
what money he had. $l7 in all. They left
their victim sanseless in the lot and he lay
there fully six hours before he camo to his
senses. When he did so he half crawled
and half dragged himself across the bridge
to the side OF the gas house. where he was
found about daybreak by the company q
men. who were going to work. At first they
thought it was q drunken man who had
laid down there to sleep off the effects of q
debauch. But as soon as they realized
that Swendson was badly hurt they tele-
phoned to police headquarters for help,
but 6wendson suffered such pain sitting up
that ii was thought better to get wagon.
The sergeant drove back up town, sent DR..
Barbour to the gas house to attend the in
jurea man, and followed with wagon and
mattrass. The doctor decided to send
Swendson to st. Peter's hospital. where he
was given every possible attention.
There were no external signs of violence
except slight scar on the face, though
Swendson suffered terribly about the body
lie became so much worse during tho day
that County Attorney Nolan was sum-
moned to take his dying statement.
Swendson told all he knew, which was about
as related above, but would furnish no de-
scription of his assailants. Drs. Barbour
and Treacy examined him and thought his
condition such that he was not likely to
live through the night. swendson himself
seemed to realize that he was dying, but
the county attorney decided, after hearing
his story, that last statement Of the oc-
currence from him would not be OF much
use in any possible trial, and therefore
thought 1t best not cause the sufferer the
pain that would be entailed by an ante
mortem declaration. The injuries to the
body were undoubtedly caused by the as
sailants jumping on their victim after they
had him down. Swendson died on the
Tuesday morning following.
Before the news of the affair at the gas
house reached the police there was a re-
port that three men had robbed another of
$75 in a saloon uptown. Descriptions of
tho men believed to have don the lob were
furnished to all the officers on duty, and
they were ordered to look out for the sus-
pected people. Whom the orders reached
Policeman Soharrenbroioh, about three
O'Clock in the morning, he was told that
three men answering the descriptions fur
nished had gone toward the Atlantic beer
hall on North Main street, just below Sixth
avenue. His beat was on Main street from
broadway to Sixth avenue. He called Po-
liceman Carlson. on whose beat the saloon
is, and together they went into the place.
Three young men we're seated at the eating
bar. apparently waiting for an order to be
filled. They were placed under arrest and
the officers and prisoners started up Main
street toward the city Jail. Scharrenbroich
walked ahead with two of the men, and
Carlson. followed with the other.
asked what they were arrested for
Soharrenbroich told him they would
find out at police headquarters. and if they
were not the men wanted they would be let
go. While crossing Broadway Policeman
Soharrenbroich happened to glance around
aud saw the man MAJ behind fumhling about
his pocket: Thinking the fellow might
have revolver and use it, he halted mo-
ment, took hold of the man behind and
pushed him forward with his companions.
just as tho men had cotton on to the side
walk at Parchen's drug st ore, tho man who
had been 80 anxious about the cause of the
arrest, aud who was on the side nearest the
gutter. half turned and with his right han d
pushed revolver under his left arm and
fired back. Tho bullet struck Schar~en-
broich in tho right shoulder, and the DO.
licemnn. who had his right hand on his re-
volyer i'll his oyercoat pocket, found him
self helpless, and he could not raise his
arm. As he staggered back his assailant
jumped out into Main street and ii ed two
more shots, neither of which took effect
All three prisoners then started on run
down Main street.
When the prisoners scattered, one of
them ran up Broadway and turned into
Jackson street. The two others kept down
Main street. Near Grand street Policeman
Martin, who had charge of the night squad
during Marshal Galvin's absence was
walking along on the west side of Main
at Get. The noise of the shots and the sight
of the fleeing men told HIM Mt once thar
something was wrong and he started for
them. The men. to avoid him, turned into
Grand street. The officer pursued, firing
his revolver at them on the run. Carlson
had now joined in tho chase. as had
Policeman Tracy, whose beat is on upper
Main street. Arriving at jackson street
tho men turned the corner catching up
with their companion. who had run
np broadway. All three now made
tracks down jackson street toward Sixth |
avenue. Policeman Martin followed. |
aud Rs he turned tho corner, one
OF the men caught at telegraph pole |
swung around il and took shot ut tho |
officers. The bullet struck Martins over !
nont and fell Into his pocket. At Sixth |
avenue the fugitives turned toward War |
rem. one of them running toward the Jockey |
block and tho others keeping on up the |
hill. some of those who saw the purauer
and the pursued say that one of the former |
livod into the basement of the l4ockey
building. Others think he made across
the open lots there. The others. however, |
turned into Warren street and wore there
lost sight OF. Near the telegraph pole
whore the man turned to shoot ~ Martin