The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-05-28
KILLED In A SECOND
James Murray Causes the Death Of
Robert Robinson.
1T WAS A SAD ACCIDENT
Too Much CaIety With Tickle Six
Shooter Ends Dlsastrously
All Acknowledgement
BY the Jury.

Great Falls, May 27.-Deputy Sheriff
Charles Lochray arrived from Sand
Coulee at 5 o'clock this evening, ac-
companied by James G.. Murray. I'M
der arrest charged with manslaughter.
About O'Clock yesterday afternoon
Murray shot and instantly killed Rob
ert Robinson, an employe of the Sand
Coulee Coal company. Yesterday az
ternoon some stranger, whose name IS
unknown. entered Sand Coulee and
challenged any person in the camp TO
a foot race. The challenge was accept
ed by Lee Denison, and the latter won
the race. Murray acted as starter, and
for the purpose of giving the slgnal
placed a 3S-caliber revolver in his
pocket. To-day he stated to Standard
reporter that he never before had a re-
volver in his possession. Murray won
a large sum of money on the result of
the race and il is claimed that he
had been drinking heavily for several
days. He celebrated his winning. and
in the exuberance of his joy, while
standing in the midst of large crowd.
drew his revolver and fired into the
air. He lowered the revolver and as he
raised IL for a second shot he threw it
over his shoulder and ii was dis
charged. Robinson was standing about
20 feet behind Murray and the ball
struck him a fraction of an inch above
the right eye and he fell dead.
A telegram was sent to Great Falls
and Deputy Sheriff Proctor and Coro-
ner' Weitman left for Sand Coulee this
morning. The coroner and Dr. Gels
thorpe of Sand Coulee held an autopsy
on the body of Robinson and found
that the bullet had passed through the
brain, lodging near the base of that
organ. The coroner imaneled jury,
and several witnesses were examined,
after which the jury returned a verdict
of accidental death, completely exon
Grating Murray.
Meanwhile County Attorney Freeman
had learned the particulars of the
shooting, and claiming that Murray
was engaged in a criminal act when
firing his revolver, filed a complaint
charging Murray with manslaughter.
Deputy Sheriff Lochray was tele-
graphed to arrest Murray, notwith-
standing the coroner's jury's action
Murray learned of the telegram
and surrendered to the officer
This afternoon Murray was ar
raigned before Justice Race in Great
Falls and pleaded not guilty and bail
was fixed at $1,000 and the preliminary
examination was set for Friday morn
ing at 10 o'clock. Murray states that
bail will he furnished as soon as friends
with whom he has communicated ar
rive from Sand Coulee. Friends OF
Robinson took charge of his body ir
the absence of information as to tbs
whereabouts of his relatives and buria
will occur at Sand Coulee tomorrow.
Murray had been in the employ OF
the Sand Coulee Coal company as head
blacksmith ever since the company:
Incorporation. He has always borne &
good reputation and has many friends
throughout Cascade county. Robinson
came to Sand Coulee about two months
ago and has been in the employ of the
company since. Nothing is known
concerning his relatives and former
residence. Murray states that he wal
unacquainted with Robinson.