Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-02-06
INQUEST OF WILDCAT jim.
A SUDDEN TAKING OFF IN MONTANA
EXPLAINED TO THE COURT.
Embarrassment of the Coroner When
Ordered to Investigate His Death
The Verdict by
the Jury on the Facts.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
There was CONSERVATION among the Off
Gals of Bull Run county in the early days
of Montana when Coroner John Severson
received through the mails a notice from
the district judge to hold forthwith an in
quest on the body of Wildcat Jim, a des-
perado. who had been lynched by the vigi-
lance committee as the simplest and most
expeditions method of Kidding the COM
munity of a public nuisance. Jim was
executed mon a bitter cold night in No
vember, when the thermometer stood at 20
degrees below zero, and so raw Il vino
blew in the faces of the eNecutionerS that
the chairman of the committee apoiogiZed
to his assistants. saying that he would not
have summoned them from the e!l-warm-
ed barroom of the Nugget saloon had the
conduct of the victim not become so OBJ
noNious as to make immediate disposal of
his case Imperative Jim's fate was due
Immediately to the fact that he had felt
it necessary to maintain his reputation as
the worst character between sea and sea
by manning with a revolver shot a sales.
shirt. On another occasion. when an timer
ant preacher was holding services in the
barroom of the Nugget. jim had married
the solemnity of the occasion by practicing
at craftsmanship. using the silk hat of the
preacher as a target and perforating 1t so
purchased a sombrero for the preacher,
sending him forth upon the world Il cow
boy evangelist, Again. Jim had tired the
building of a Chinese laundryman who had
taken quarters III the town. and then shot
at the owner as he fled across the prairie.
There was no reforming Jim, and the com
mittee hanged him, as the only available
means of restoring peace.
Notice of the Inquest.
And when the coroner received the notice
to hold an inquest, there was more excite
ment than would have been causd by the
preparation of half a dozen subjects there
ior. The notice from the district judge
added to the gravity of the situation:
1t has come to the ears Of this court that a charac-
ter known as Wildcat Jim came to his death within
your county in an unlawful manner. You will. there
Iere. proceed at once to hold an inquest on the body
OF the deceased. and ascertain 1udicially in what
manner the deceased came to his death, your finding
to be reported to me for what further proceedings
may be deemed necessary.
After the coroner had digested the legal
verbiage to an extent sufficient to his IN
Outstanding of its meaning. he said:
We'll, I'll be hanged"
The sheriff was called into consultation
and allowed to read the legal document. He
struggled haltingly through its maze of
legal phraseology and swallowed a small
quid of tobacco in his excitement. Then
he muttered:
"Well, I'll BE HanHedw
The two officials sought the proprietor
of the Nugget saloon and submitted the
document for his inspection. and after he
had read It, between the serving of sundry
thirsty, customers. he muttered:
We'll, I'll be hanged"
The sheriff ordered drinks, and three
calculations were heard in concert:
We'll. I'll be hanged"
stand" said the coroner. 1T says in this
order from the judge. Inquest on the
body Jim's planted and the ground is
before this business can proceed?"
Il don't see why We should. unless we
hold a post'-the sheriff halted. unable to
complete the term.
"Mortise?' suggested the proprietor of
most rEX moI;: said the sheriff gratefully. "a
What's them?" asked the coroner.
Some kind of a public meeting?"
Not exactly. It's where they cut a man
open to see what he died Of" explained the
Wouldn't have to cut Jim open to see
What he died Of" returned the coroner.
l ever heard on where hangin' affected a
mans INTERVALS"
Intervals" corrected the proprietor of
the Nugget.
We'll. innards, then" said the coroner,
by way of compromise.
1T is a ssri9ns question, boys" inter
to do his duty and he can't swear that Jim
died of measles or anything like that with
out committing purgatory-which is mighty
serious when it's found out
And We can't find that he died from
hangin' without making the boys liable to
be prosecuted" said the proprietor of the
Nugget.
Might say that he died Of heart dis
ease" suggested the coroner.
We don't know that he did," objected
the sheriff.
Nobody can say that he didn't, either"
rejoined the coroner.
Lets talk it over with the chairman of
the vigilance committee" suggested the
proprietor of the Nugget. He is the man
most interested. Tell him that If he can
find a way out of the mess. a way that'l
hold water: the coroner will adopt it. If
he can't. he'll have to take the conse-
The matter was laid before the chairman
aspect.
1T will be necessary to AVE a coroners
jury said the chairman of the committee.
u will appoint these gentlemen as the
jury. said the coroner. indicating the pro-
priet6f of the Nugget and the sheriff.
Who will act as the body?' inquired the
sheriff. 1.-THE order says on the body you
know. I s'pose you could appoint some one
to act as the remains. 1t will save a sight
of hard digging"