The herald., 1895-05-31
Mysterious and Violent Death
of Horace w. Belden
SAID TO BE CASE OF SUICIDE
The Deceased Was Prosperous and
Cheerful
He Had, It Is Alleged, Serious Difficulties With
His LandIord-The Story as Learned
From His Associates

2 o'clock p. m. yesterday with two pistol
wounds in his body. One shot entered
his head at the right temple and passed
entirely through the brain, coming out
on the left side one inch below the tenn
pie. On the right temple where the ball
entered is an ugly wound ABOUT three
inches long. About the wound the t1es-
is black with powder marks. The other
shot entered the body directly over the
heart probably passing through the upper
portion of that organ.
The body was found lying on pile of
clothing between the head of the bed and
the wall.
The discovery was first made by the
little daughter of W. II. Button. Flossy,
at whose bouse Belden lived. The child
vas sent to call Mr. Belden to dinner,
and in moment returned, crying:
"Oh, papa. come and see the blood.' Mr..
Button went to the room and before he
had entered saw stream of blood outside
the doorway.
81 can not go in there. he said, and
immediately went in search OF his neigh
bors. Returning with two other gentle
men he entered the room, when the body
was found as described.
Everything was in order. On the bed
lay a handkerchief covered with blood.
This had nothing to do with the mans
death, however. Mr.. Button says it was
used by Belden on the previous evening
when he had a nose bleed.
Two revolvers were found on q bureau
and not in the hands OF the deceased. as
was reported in an evening paper. They
were placed wnere founo by the little
Button.
Immediately Mr.. Button telephoned to
the ch ief of police. but being informed
that il the man was dead then the cor
oner should be referred to. he communi-
Gated with tina official. Coroner Camp
bell was soon upon the scene and the
body was removed to the undertaking
rooms CT Kregelo & Bre see.
There is considerable mystery surround
ing the death of Mr.. Belden. The first
impression was that the unfortunate man
had become despondent over some love
affair and IN moment OF desperation
had taken his own life. This theory was
generally accepted. notwithstanding the
fact that either one of the shots entering
the mans body would have been fatal
one, such as usually cause instant death.
A conversation was had by Herald
reporter with a fellow employee Of the
dead man, j. e. Chapman who stated
that the assertions made were told HIM
by Belden from time to time and is the
different occurrences came up. Mr.. Chap
man said:
"Belden has been having trouble of late
with the man at whose house he has been
residing. w. H. Button, his landlord. is
veterinary surgeon. having returned
about "A month ago from Chicago. where
he has been attending Il veterinary
school. Since Buttons return trouble
has arisen between him and Belden.
"On two occasions it has gone so far
as to result in physical struggle.
'rrbp first di ffirultv of tbe kind occurred
about ten days ago, while Belden was
seated with the family at table. Button
grew jealous of his wife and abused her,
making most serious accusations. Belden
interfered and struggle between the
two mer ensued. Belden succeeded, he
said, in choking Button until the latter
subsided, receiving several scratches on
his hand dming the fight. After Button
had recovered from his violent passion
lie and Delden were apparently as friend
ly as usual. until about week ago.
'On this occasion some angry words
were exchanged during the evening and
when Belden went to his room he did
not retire for fear of further trouble.
Later in the night he heard quarrelsome
words between Mr.. and MIS-. Buttoh.
Button finally became so eDraged that
he quit the room saying, I'm settle thi
matter now.' Belden hearing him come
from his room slipped out into the dark
hall and lay in wait at the foot of the
stairs.
"As Button came down. Beldon told
me that:he seized him from behind, find
ing in his hand pistol In the struggle
whicn followed Belden took the weapon
from his antagonist Here the ouble
again apparently ended, and few days
later Belden returned the revolver to
Button.ss
''Belden has told a number of the bows
of his difficulties with his landlord. Mr..
Button. Since the reported suicide |
have talked 49, a number of them AMI
| find that they are in possession OF
much the same Information on the mat
ter that | possess
number of Mr.. Belden's old acguaint-
ances were interviewed regarding his
character and general habits. In every
instance he was re. ortcd as q temperate
man.
His financial affairs we're in the best of
condition, he being regularly employed
as a conductor on the electric road his
car being numbered 81. Not long ago
he disposd of homestead claim for $135.
He was economical In his affairs and
always paid his bills promptly
Belden came to this city obout: :sixEyears
ago. He was formerly horse trainer in
Mo tana.
Coroner Campbell will probably hold
an inquest some time this morning.