The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-29
Was THE CAUSE
Details Concerning the Murder
of Patrick Welsh.
WITH A SHOVEL HANDLE
Both Men Were Under the Influence of
Liquor-Gin Re uses to Talk-Tes-
timony Adduced at the
Coroner's Inquest.

The murder of Patrick Welsh by Will
liam Gill at Race Track on Tuesday
night, seems to have been a deliberate
one. Although the excuse is given that
whiskey is the real cause of the crime.
Gill, who is a prisoner in the county
jail, yesterday refused to make any
statement concerning the murder.
The motive for the crime is undoubt-
dly Jealousy. Gill and Welsh had been
living together in the same cabin on a
ranch owned by Morgan Evans. They
had been associated for about six
months, and at first seemed to get along
well together, but for the past two
month they had hardly spoken.
III appears that Gill has lived on the
ranch for o seven years, and about
six months G Evans gave Welsh per-
mission to occupy the place also. Re-
Gently a suspicion seems to have entered
the mind of Gill that Welsh was sup
planting him in the good will of Evans
Gill became moody and spoke but
little to any one. On Tuesday after
noon a went down to the ranch
n In the evening Gill, Welsh, Evans
M a man named Con Dineen went TO
the house of a neighbor, Jim Bennett
They remained at Bennett's house a
short time and returned to the cabin,
where Gill and Welsh got into a dis
pute, and one man called the other a
liar. Dineen stepped in then and old
both the men TO stop their quarreIing.
Thereupon Gill got up, ven outside
ana shortly afterwards returned. The
hrst thing the witnesses knew, Welsh
was seen to fall to the floor, although
neither of the two witnesses saw the
blow struck. Gill admitted that he was
Olnd nf Tho IA1I -,.s-- -,
ought to be dead.
Gill was arrested by Jim Bennett, who
was summoned to the scene, and
brought to this city, where he surrender
ed himself.
1t is undoubtedly a fact that all four
of the men had been drinking, and that
Gil and Welsh were quite drunk, al
though no evidence appeared in the cor
oner's inquest concerning this.
As soon as Bennett had turned Gill
over to the authorities, he notified Act
ing Coroner Williams of the affair. Mr.,
Williams, together with Miss Glenn, a
stenographer. and the manager of C. A.
Tuttle's undertaking establishment went
to Race Track, where an inquest was
held.
1t had long been feared that there
would be trouble between Gill and
Welsh, the former being extremely jeal- |
Gus of Welsh. Mr.. Evans had been fire.
quently urged to remove both Gill and
Welsh from the ranch, and ii was for
this urpos that he went to Race
Track on Tuesday. 1t had been decided
before Mr.. Evans left Anaconda that
Welsh should be allowed to remain on
the ranch during the coming winter,
as he had a growing crop in. Gill, how
ever. was to leave the place. 1t is not
known exactly what Mr.. Evans said to
the two men, but 1t is quite apparent
Gills jealousy was aroused as soon
as Mr.. Evans reached Race Track and
this led to the trouble.
The place where the murder was COM
is a little cabin about two miles
south of Race Track station. The blow
that killed Welsh was administered by
heavy oak or hickory club about two
or three feet long. evidently a portion
Of the handle of a shovel. Welsh was
struck in the back of the head and death
was probably due to conclusion of the
brain. The body of Welsh is at Tut
ties undertaking rooms.
Gill refused TO talk OF the affair yes
terday. He did not seem to realize for
some time what had occurred. When
brought to the Jail on Tuesday night
he was evidently under the influence
Of liquor. and as a result he was not
well yesterday. A friend called