The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-12-06
HOW HE WASCLEARED
Morgan Jones Killed Joe Huneault in
Self Defense.
THE VIRGINIA CITY TRIAL
1t Was Evidenced That the Fore
man Made Threatening Asser-
lions and Movements Which
Led to His Death.

went to Virginia City to attend the |
trial OF Morgan Jones for the murder
of Joseph Huneault at the Twin Pane
mine at Camp Creek, several months
ago, returned yesterday and report
that the evidence produced at the trial
was a complete surprise to the prose-
cution and resulted in the acqufttai OF
Jones. The prosecution was conducted
by Robert Smith OF Helena and County
Attorney Galloway of Madison county.
7. l.. Wines and z. S. Booth OF Butte
defended Jones. In his opening state
men to the jury Mr.. Wines PROMISED
to prove by Mrs. O'Laughlin, keeper
of the boarding house where the killing
took place, and one of the states WI
nesses. that a few minutes BEFORE une
shooting Huneault came into the ain
ing room and swore he would KIN poth
Zones and a man named Hughes and
picked up a butcher knife that ne
found lying on a table and put II up
his sleeve. but that Mrs. O'Laughlin
got the knife away from him On
cross-examination, after she had testi-
fed for the state. Mr.. Wines asked ner
II the facts were not as he had stated
and she replied that they were, but
the state objected to the testimony and
Judge Showers ruled 1t out on the
ground that the threat was not made
in the presence of Jones.
Mrs OLaugl1lin. Hughes and Jones
testified that Jones and Hughes quN
work at the mine, where Huneault was
foreman, and prepared to leave camp
for Butte on the evening stage. The
two men went to their cabin and got
their blankets and went over TO the
boarding house to walt for the stage
and engaged in conversation with Mrs.
O'Laughlin and talked about the mine.
,,.7o daual0pad that Hnnaault
had been listening at the back door
and Thought the men were talking
against the mine. They went out no "a
saloon to get a drink and Huneault
came into the kitchen of the boarding
house and seemed wrought with rage.
A few minutes later Hughes and Jones
came back. 1t was about 10 O'Clock
and Hughes. upon seeing Huneaur.
said:
"Hello. Huneault. you are up pretty
late, aren't you
ut is none OF your - business
II am" was the reply, and then add
ed: You are a id nice fellow to be
talking about man the way you
are"
Hughes denied saying anything that
he would not repeat and then Huneault
called him a id two-faced = = =,
and turning to Jones applied the same
epithet to him and also accused him
OF being a tnleI. Jones uenleu ldihlHB
about Huneaut or ever stealing any
thing from him. whereupon Huneault
made a break toward Jones as IL to
strike him and Mrs. O'Laughlin sprang
between the two men and begged them
not to fight. Huneault then stepped
back and made a grab for butcher
knife that was lying on q table but
Mrs. O'Laughlin again interfered and
he exclaimed:
TIL fix him, anyway" according TO
Mrs. OLaughhn's testimony, but
Hughes and Jones testified that he
said: TN get even with the - - -
before he leaves camp" and as he said
that he whirled around and put his
hand on his right hip pocket, and Jones
instantly pulled his revolver and fired
and Huneault dropped. Jones did not
stop to see the result OF his shot, but
left the house and walked down the
canyon and met the stage and went
on to Melrose. On the way they me-
Mr.. Battego, superintendent OF the
mine and the stage driver, who at thai
time did not know Jones, informed
Ba.tego that Huneault had been shot
Battego asked who did IL and Jone,
spoke I'D and said he shot him in self
defense and that he was on the wa,
to give himself up He then gave hi
revolver to Vance, the stage driver
and they proceeded on to Melrose
where Jones was turned over to a con
stable who brought him to Butte.
Hughes testified that he considered
his own life in danger as he did no
know whom Hunaauit might attack
A short while before the shooting Hun
eault and the two men parted the bes
OF friends and Huneaut loaned eacl
one an overcoat to come TO Butte
Hughes said Huneault had Away
been of a most violent and quick tenn
per and fought on the slightest provo
cation. After the shooting docto
was sent for and on his arrival he IA
occasion to need a razor and asked 70
one. A friend of Huneault stated tina
the latter always carried a razor in hi
pocket and on examination one wa
found in his hip pocket.
Mr.. Battego testified that Jones ha
been discharged because of some differ
ence about wages and in settling up
was found chat Huneault had credte
Jones with only six days while
claimed TO- The difference In time we
settled and there seemed to be n
trouble between the two men.
The trial OF Jones began on Monda
morning and the case was given to th
Jury on Tuesday evening. They r
manned out until o'clock the ne,
morning and returned with a verdict I
not guilty. Only one juror voted II
murder in the first degree. On Il
first baMot six voted for manslaught'
but finally they all came around to
verdict OF acquittal After Jones WI
discharged he thanked the Judge al
Jury and after leaving the court roo
the sheriff offered Jones the revolv
with which the shooting was done, 81
he declined IL and made a present OF
to the sheriff He also had a riff
which he gave 70 the under sheri
saying he had been caught a costly b
valuable lesson and that he wou
never carry a gun again. Jones I
turned 20 Butte with the others ys
terday.