The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-12

y
terrible powder explosion of three
Years ago came a sequel as dreadful as
the dire calamity itself. On Jan. Is,
1895, 5S people We're killed and many
more injured in an explosion which
shook Butte to its foundations. Yes
teday, as horrible sequel to that ca
lamity, came the atrocious murder of
Patrick A. Largey by one who had been
injured in that explosion.
Those who live in Butte have known
well the underc urrent of feeling among
the victims of that explosion and among
friends of the victims. Little of this
state of things has come to the knowI-
edge of people outside of Butte, but the
PEOPLE of the city have known it and
many have trembled in fear of Just such
tragedy as that which yesterday ap-
palled Butte and drove smiles from the
faces of school children. While some
such tragedy as that of yesterday was
not unexpected, few expected that the
pent-up wrath of a man half crazed
would vent itself on the one who now
lies cold in death from a murderer's
bullet.
The strangest thing of all is that ono
who SO openly made threats as Thomas
j. Riley, who yesterday killed p A.
Largey, should be allowed to remain "a
large. Evidently he brooded over the
loss of his leg in the explosion until he
became unable to reason sensibly on the
matter and could permit his mind to rest
on no subject but his own injuries Yet,
II reports are true, there are two others
besides Thomas j. Riley who have made
threats against Kenyon, Largey. Con
nell and others who We're believed to
own an interest in the powder which
raised such fearful havoc in Butte three
years ago. 1t is known that, fearful of
his life. W. i. Kenyon last week re-
signed the management of the hardware
business in which he has been engaged
and left for the East with the intention
Of never returning to this city. Before
leaving Mr. Kenyon told an intimate
friend that he had narrowly escaped
killing few DAYS before: that he only
saved his life by getting the drop OH
the other fellow when he came into his
office. and that he could not expect such
kind fortune always. Mr.. Kenyon. as
we'll as Mr.. Largey and Mr.. Connell fire.
auently gave money to those who had
suffered from the explosion. and while
most of the victims of the great calam-
lty accepted what could not be helped
and which every one deplored. yet there
were a few Who like Riley, vowed VEN
geanee and declared they would have il
II they had to travel 10 the ends of ths
earth to obtain it. Since the failure of
the victims TO recover in their damage
suits the demands and threats of ven
geance have been f4douhled and many
IN Butte have long trembled for the dire
elimination which they felt that only
kind Providence could avert
OF all those who were bounded by vic
tins of the explosion, Patrick A. Lar
eey was probably least of all personally
hlameable for the powder explosion. He
was one of the heaviest stockholders of
the Butte Hardware company, which
went out of existence soon after the ex-
plosion Most of the victims sought
damages from the Kenyon Connell COM
pany. but Riley claimed to have been
injured in the explosion of the Butte
Hardware companyss warehouse. and
While he also struck ConnelI. Kenyon
and Clark for money, he was most per-
sistent in following Mr.. Largey. Mr..
Largey helped him at various times. but
did not satisfy Riley, who was constant
~ after more.
That was the situation in Butte when
yesterday dawned. +. A. Largey, un-
like Mr.. Kenyon, did not take the
threats against his life seriously, and
was accustomed TO walk the streets of
Butte as openly as had been his custom
for score of years. He did not leave
his home at the corner of Broadway
and Washington streets unril late in
the forenoon, and had he regarded the
advice of his wife, he would not have
seemed in remarkably good health as
he left his home and walked to the
bank. He had read the morning paper,
but as he neared the bank at the south
west corner of Main and Park streets,
he heard a neWsboy crying: Extra
all about the murder
Mr.. Largey stopped and bought a pa
per. never dreaming that in less than
three hours that same newsboy would
be running down the street again. cry
ing: Extra-alt about the murder of
T. A. Largeyr'
Mr.. Largey had been in the bank but
short time when Thomas ]. Riley
limping little with an artificial leg
that does not work just right. entered
the bank lie walked slowly along the
hall a the west of the counting room
regardless Of the glanees which some Of
the haokkeepars cast al him. and some
of whom had warned Mr. Largey To be-
ware Of him Toward the end OF the
pasSaeeWay iS the cashiers window,
and through X Riley saS Mr= Largey.
The banker al the same tlme saa Riley.
and. vel aware that h wished to So
HIM. Nent al ouee 10 tbs little window.