The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-10-23
HIS LAST HUNTING TRIP
Ed Chilcott Died on the Banks of
Sun River While Making
for Home
A Severe Gold, From Over Exer-
tion, Brought on tho
Pneumonia.
While . Letter was Awaiting Him st
Augusta Telling Him That HIS
Father Was Dead.

Special to the Indepondonk
AUGUSTA. Got. 22-On Wednesday, Oct.
II. Alfred II. Fox cams to Augusta from
the MOI til Fork Hot Springs and made sffi-
davit before Justice Woods that Ed Chill
colt was lying dead on the banks Of creek
on ths south fork of the moth fork Of the
Sun river In Lewis and Clarke county. and
asking that an investigation be held 70
ascertain the cause Of his death. Justice
Woods. acting as coroner. summoned .
part of q ooronsr's jury. among which
ws'e DR.. F. 9. Lawyer. late of Helena.
Chaa Frost and Ia Holbrook. and took .
tea n to bring the body out Of the noun
tains. After considerable trouble they
reached the body the next afternoon. and
summonina three moro juYymsn. held an
inquest. From tho evidence Of Herbert
Magse. the man who last saw ChiIoott
alive, II seemed that they went on hunt
ing "trip 10 the summit Of the noun tains
and after killing some game they worked
very hard and over exorted themselves.
While returning TO camp they
got chilled snd Chileott took a
severe cold that developed into quinsy and
from Sept. 80 TO Ost 8 he was quite sick.
On tho lsttey date he fslt mach better and
the hunters broke camp and started to
Chilootts cabin and got about i've miles.
she snow being about three feet deep on
the level. That night Chilsott was very
restless and could not sleep. Tho next
morning they again broke Damp and made
about nins miles. Chilsost stopping 10
drink at every creek. when about 800
yards ahead haass looked back and did
not see Chileost coming. Each man was
driving pack horse. After waiting few
minutes Chileotrs horse and the pack
horse came In sight, but the saddle Of Chil-
cot3s horse WAS empty and the lsft stirrup
thrown across ths saddle. Nagss then
won't back and found Ohilcott lying On his
loft side with his head bent under him and
his right log drawn up. He Was dead.
The body whom the jury reached IL was
considerably swollen and disoolored. II
was oil the jury eould do 10 get the body
down - OhIlootps cabin for burial. They
found verdict that he came 10 his death
from natural causes. from a severe cold
followed by pneumonia. After the inquest
the jaSy proceeded With the body down via
the Hot Springs to Chi!ootts cabin and In
the solemn hours of midnight dug his
lonely grave and wrapping the body In q
wagon sheet placed II In q rude coffin pre-
pared by Dr.. Lawyer. and Corone: Woods
consigned II 10 its last resting place among
the mountains he loved, Justice Woods
took an inventory of Chileott's sffoets and
placed them In the charge OF Jas. Harmon
until he can learn the wishes of his mother,
who lives In Lansing. Mich. Chiloott was
about 85 years old and q strong. robust
man, about dvs feet ton inches In height
and one of tho best hunters in this section.
When Justice Woods reached Augusta hs
found letter there for Chiloott which he
took the liberty OF opening In order TO got
the address of his folks. a. no letters or
data were found In the cabin or ON the
body that gave their address. II contained
the notice to Chiloots OF his fsthe.'s death
on Sept "a. Thus this family have been
visited With a double bereavement in few
weeks. Chiloost's mother and brother have
been notified Of tho sad event.