The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-10-01
MORMON KID" IS DEAD
An Overdose Of Morphine Ends
an nl-Spent Life.
WELL KNOWN CHARACTER
For Years He Has Been . Hsneer-On
About Gambling Housss-His Name
Was James Howell-Found
Dead In Bed.

James Howell, otherwise known as
h Mormon Kid" was found dead in
his bed at the All Nations lodging
house last evening. 1t Is the presump-
ton that the Mormon Kid" took an
overdose Of morphine or some drug of
like nature and died from the effects
thereof.
Howell went to his room In the rear
portion of the All Nations lodging
house about IL o'clock on Thursday
night. Before going to his room he
Meyers, to wake him up a. 4 o'clock in
the morning. At the hour stated by
Howell Meyers went to his oom and
called to the sleeping man. He called
loudly and supposed that Howell would
hear him and get up. Meyers went
away and no one paid any more atten-
ton to the matter. Last evening. at 6
o'clock, Joe Burra. proprietor Of the
All Nations house. and an assistant
went up stairs to the lodging depart
ment to place the lights in position for
the night. On entering Howelrs room
Burra found him lying on the bed face
downward. Burra shook the PROSTATE
man, but no answer was received.
~ III thioltb W dfourt hoWth "tiS
equally futile. and 1t soon became APP
parent he vas dead.
The proprietor of the place notified
the authorities and Acting Coroner c.
III. Williams went to the scene. After
inspecting the place he ordered the re-
mains removed to Ehrets' undertaking
rooms. where they now are. The cor
oner found nothing in the room except
so or so cents In change. a package of
EPSON salts and a few trinkets. Mr..
Williams will hold an inquest on the
body to-day.
Howell. or as he was always called.
the Mormon Kid" vas a well known
in this city for eight or nine years
He vas a hanger-on about the gam
bling houses, and never worked other
doing odd jobs bout these places.
He was a very large man and posed
as a prize fighter. He fought a match
with the Montana Kid" about five
years ago during the progress of which
became f~uriously enraged. and
in a clinch bit his opponents nose of.
For this he was sent to the county
jail for six months. He left Anaconda
shortly afterwards and went to Butte,
where he committed a burglary. for
Re has sentenced to three years
In the pe%nitentiary. He has also been
in other crimes OF a minor
htaAoit oht ~ ptth az jail n III
of times.
Howell was a confirmed morphine
and consumed great quantities
of the drug. For the past three days
he a been very sick. m IL is more
likely that he took an overdose
of the drug on Thursday night. which
in his death. Howell has been
on the downward course for years and
years. being dissipated to the greatest
Despite the vigorous constitu-
ton with which he was blessed orig
at the time of his death he
was practically a physical wreck.
Howell was about 80 years Of age.
His parents live at Malad. Idaho, and
are prosperous n well-to-do people.
has a sister who resides in this
The first report that was circulated
asst evening was to the effect that the
Kid" had committed suicide
by shooting himself. Upon investiga-
lion. however. IL was found hat such
not the case. The theory that
committed suicide is not ac-
and II is generally believed. as
above stated, that he accidentally took
an overdose of morphine while in a
much weakened state.
Howell was well known among the
gamblers here. ard so long as gambling
was conducted openly. he was ever TO
De found about the faro games. He
acted as case-keeper and performed
services about these places. Dur
his Incarceration in the penitentiary
ne was taught the trade of stone ma
ION and FOR a short time after being
from the penitentiary he
some at THAT line of business, |
,ut of late he has done nothing.