The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-21
HE WILL PLEAD GUILTY
Pursell Doesn't Attempt to Ex-
cuse the Killing.
HE EXPRESSES NO REGRET
The Saloon Men Gave Him Drinks All
the Afternoon Until He Became
a Nuisance-Some Talk
of Lynching.

AIissouia. Feb. 20.-Coroner Hayes
viii conduct an inquest upon the body
of John Walters at 10 o'clock to-mor.
row morning. The body lies at the
morgue of the coroner's rooms and has
been viewed to-day by many of the
1 friends of the murdered man. on all
sides are heard expressions Of indigfla-
ton at the cold-blooded killing of the
| harmless old man. and no excuse is
| found by any man for the deed of Pur-
| sell.
Pursell was last night placed in a cell
IN the county Jail with two trusty pris-
onefs, as 1t was thought that he might
attempt suicide. He slept till nearly Q
CLOCK this morning. and has eaten well
to-day. This afternoon he took another
nap and slept for two hours He is
ciear-mlnded and talks with the officers
about his killing of Walters.
He was not told till this morning that
his victim was dead. When he learned
II. ne expressed no surprise. but said
!na1 ne supposed that he had killed
MN. he has a distinct recollection of
al that happened and all the regret
tnaL ne expresses is that his friend. 10
Whom he confided his purpose of kill
ing the bartender, did not prevent him
by taking his gun from him. These
men did not think though that PurseIl
really had any intention of killing any-
body, or that his actions were more of
pun than anything else Purseli was
asked this morning IL he wanted to
communicate with any friends or rela-
uves. but he did not He was then
asked II he wished to consult an attor-
ney. he realized that he could not nav
an attorney. He said that he expectaa
that the best thing that he could do was
10 piead guilty. He feels rather serious
over his predicament and this evening
became somewhat morose
Inc county attorney will eonduo. the
inquest at the coroner's office in the
morning. and 1t may be that additional
facts VIII be brought out. All that has
u,eNeioped to-day regarding the case
mas been that Pursell was In Schillinc,s
place for long time In the late after
noon ana evening, and that he was
given several drinks there. He had no
money and the drinks We're given ia
nm at his request. Finally, he became
such nuisance that he was told that
ne could have no more and then ne
went out Nothing more was seen of
MN III ne returned with his rife. and
theh ne acted so quickly that he was
not recognized. Yesterday afternoon he
applled TO Roadmaster Palmer for work
On me northern Pacific. and was given
place. lie was told to report I'm the
morning, and go out to Bonita with the /
WORK train. Ii was not long before the +
shooting, and he was rational enough
~ that time. The railroad men saw I
mat while he was working on the west
end as section foreman he had the rem I
ulatlon of being quarreIsome and easily I
crossed. Some of the section men were
afraid of him.
Inc funeral of John Walters, the vic
nm OF the shooting, will be held Tues
aay afternoon at 2 O'clock from the mn
qeftaking rooms of Woody q HAYES
- WIZ be in charge of the friends Of
! ne deceased, who have taken an active
interest in the matter. For . ,in,a ia.t
night there was considerable tan, af
lyhching Pursell, and some hot speeches
were made. but wiser counsel prevailed
anu there Is no longer any danger ~
such an occurrence