The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-06

Still, in spite of his enfeebled con-
dition, he was anxious to go to work
at his profession. He had a wife and
two small children to support, and the
thought that they might come to want
was a constant source of anxiety to
him. He applied to O'Melveney for
position and was promised one on the
st. Anthony branch of the Short Line,
provided he could pass physical ex-
animation.
DR.. Pinkerton, who was to make the
examination, told Mills at the outset
that he could not pass, but he insisted
on being tested. The surgeon refused
to make the examination unless order
ed to do so by Mr.. O'Melveney.
The latter wrote out the necessary
order, but later, on information from
DR.. Pinkerton, Cancelled 1t by wire,
being absent from the city at the time
went to Cheyenne. There fortune at
last seemed to smile on him, for he
secured a position with the government
tai party that is making irrigation sur
Veys.
In this position he was to receive $15O
per month, but the job was to be of
but three months duration 1t would
have been finished Nov. 16, and Mills
began to worry again. With winter
approaching and the prospect of an
other position very remote, unless he
secured it through O'Melveney, Mills
seemed to consider his condition des-
perate.
He came to Salt Lake yesterday
more respondent than ever. APPARENTLY
he had brooded over his troubles until
he had become convinced that O'Mel-
veney was responsible for them. With
this thought constantly haunting him.
he hunted up the chief engineer yes
terday afternoon and took his life.
Since the shooting Mills has abso-
lutely refused to talk for publication.
He has even refused to say anything
about the tragedy to the police. al
though every effort has been made to
induce him to talk. After he was taken
to police headquarters Mills sent for
Attorney Farley L. Williams and en-
deavOred to retain him to defend him.
Mr.. Williams is counsel for the Short
Line and declined to take the case.
Then Judge 0. w. Powers was sent
for. Judge Powers had long CONVEX
eation with the prisoner. but at its close
he declined to indicate what the line
of defense would be-
Captain Mills was once very
prominent figure in Idaho politics. At
one time he held the position of lieu
tenant governor. Later he was state
engineer. He was also member OF the
Idaho legislature He is we'll known
throughout that state. and his friends
there are overcome with astonishment
at the news of the killing.
O'Melveney was one of the most
prominent railroad men in the West.
Still a young man, he held the highest
position in his line on the railroad he
served. He drew salary of $4,000. his
pay being second only to that of Gen
eral Manager Bancroft. who gets $4,000
a year.
| A rumor that there was a woman
in the case is probably responsible
for a story afoat that Mills was jeal-
Gus of his wife, and that she and O'Mel-
veney We're intimate. Every circum-
stance tends to disprove this.
| When Mills was in Honolulu with
| the engineers he was taken i'll with
| reached his wife she went to him and
| nursed him through long siege after
! he had twice been given up for dead.
She remained with him until the en-
| gineers were mustered out, and return
| ed to Utah with him.
| They always were devoted to each
! other, according to their friends, and
| the letters received by Mills from his
| wife as late as a week ago bear out
| the. assertion. The two families We're
very friendly, and Mrs. Mills has often
dined at the O'Melveney home.
Chief Hilton and Detective Sheets
went TITO st. Marks hospital'at $3.50
last night to interview Mrs. Mills, who
is employed as nurse at the institu-
tion. They found her in Mysteries,
trembling like a leaf, and unable to
talk.
She would not say a word concern
ing the relations that exist between
her and her husband, and refused to
discuss the tragedy. She was placed
in custody as a witness. and allowed
to remain at the institution
| Mrs. Mills was nursing her mother,
| who was operated upon at the he's
| ptal yesterday. when the news of her
F, husbands deed reached her. She was
! completely Frustrated. Mrs. Mills has
been at the hospital two weeks. She
says she enjoys the life of a nurse
| and once took preparatory course in
| trained nursing at st. Marks. IT was
! her intention to complete this course
| in Chicago this winter.
Mrs. Mills parents live at st. An
thony. She resided there prior to com
| ing to Salt Lake, and lived seven year,
in Ogden prior to that.
/ J. c. OMelveney had been with the
| Oregon Short Line s chief engineer
since March. 1897, and had been with
the Union Pacific since 1885, during
which time several years We're spent
exclusively in charge of location OF
| important lines. and the balance of the
| time in charge of construction. bridge
and general maintenance Of way work
1t was under his direct supervision