The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-03-15
JACK BIRCH IS DEAD
His Death Calls for a Careful and
Rigid Investigation.
1T HAS AROUSED SUSPICION
Judge DuBose AdJourns Court at
Glasgow After Passing SEN
tence on burlington Which
Retires Him for Life.
1T HAS AROUSED SUSPICION

Great Falls. March H.-Jack Birch,
well-known Great Falls man, recently in
business here, died a short time ago in
Sitka, Alaska, under very suspicious cir
stances, IL is rumored. City Treasurer
Frary, who has just returned from the
coast was told in Seattle that Birch left
that place for Alaska with about $o,0.
He had with him partner in his enter
prise who was accompanied by woman
who is described as very preposseing in
appearance short time after their ar
rival in Sitka they were dining in res
taurant. when Birch was seen to leave
the table and as soon he reached the
street he fell dead. His friends in Sitka
Immediately started an investigation with
the idea that he had oeen poisoned or
otherwise foully dealt with. Not cent Of
the $500 was found upon him nor could
ii be located in the possession of the other
two. They were held to await the result
of n medical examination of Birch's stom-
ach. which was sent to Seattle for a chem
ical analysis to see II poison could be de-
tected in Its contents. The result of in
vestigation has not yet been made public.
Birch had many friends in Great Falls.
and In 1892 was a partner with Billy
Rance in the Sideboard saloon and had
considerable wealth in and about the city,
some of which he had at the time of his
death. He was 35 years old and was a fine
specimen of athletic, well-deveOped man
hood.
Judge DuBose yesterday adjourned court
for the term at Glasgow after the trial of
but one criminal case. that of the state
against John burlington. who was
charged with criminal assault on defend
ants sister, a child of II years of age.
When burlington was taken into court
for trial the Record says his aged mother
uttered a scream of anguish, fell upon her
knees before her son and covered his face
with passionate kisses. IL was a painful
scene and the venerable woman was re-
moved from the court room. The com
planning witness was put on the stand.
and at first denied that her brother had
assaulted her. claiming tnat she had been
forced to tell the story by a girl named
Mary Nelson, who had threatened to have
her put in prison If she refused to make
the charge. When the child was cross
examined, however, she admitted that her
mother had told her she must deny that
her brother had assaulted her. and swear
to a falsehood. At this point the court or
dered the jury to retire and sent for Mrs.
burlington. The judge severely repri-
manded the mother, warning her against
attempting to see the witness until after
she had testified and an adjournment was
taken for supper.
The witness was more composed after
the rest and being advised that II would
be much better for her to tell the truth,
she admitted that what she said before
supper was untrue and that her brother
had committed the assault as alleged. a
few minutes later the case was given to
the jury, who rendered the following YER
dict: I'VE, the jury. find the defendant.
John burlington. guilty as charged i'm the
Information"
Yesterday morning Judge DuBose had
the prisoner brought before him and SEN
fenced him to the penitentiary for life. II
is not believed an effort will be made to
secure a new trial for the poor deformed
wretch as the evidence against him was
overwhelming
Five criminal cases and seven civil ac-
lions were continued until the next term.