The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-13
ANACONDA NEWS.
IS THIS FOUL MURDER2.
Mysterious Discovery Made in a
House at Carroll.
TELL-TALE BLOOD STAINS
Officers Unearth Mystery That May Re-
suit in Bringing to Light Horri-
BILE Crime-John McLindenand
Pat Swift Under Arrest

Has foul murder been done in Car
roll?
That is is the question the officers are
tory solution to the problem has been
found, and all there is to base theory
on are a number of disconnected links
in a chain Of circumstances.
Yesterday afternoon the sheriffs Off
GERS were notified by C. r. Emerson,
the chief of the company's watchmen,
that he was suspicious that all was not
right at a certain house in Carroll, and
asked the officers to look into the case.
The house in question is the first house
east of Gavins boarding house, and
was, until a day or two ago, occupied
by John McLinden and his wife.
Deputy Sheriff Joe DAILY and Con-
stable Furay, together with others,
went Immediately to Carroll. They
proceeded to the house and found the
door locked. Mr.. DAILY pried the door
open and entered What met the Off
GERS gaze was startling, to say the
least. In one of the rooms, the bed
room, discoveries were made that may
lead to the unearthing of the most bru-
tai murder in the history of Deer Lodge
county. In this room the officers found
blood-the black tell-tale spots that
yield to no efforts to remove them. The
bed clothing, especially the pillow
cases, were covered with the black
spots. A woman's gown, lying on the
bed, also had blood upon it. There
were blood marks on a trunk which
stood near by and there We're blood
marks on the floor. Articles of furni-
ture We're despatched with it.
And then the officers discovered that
which leads them to the belief that the
blood marks came there in other than
an accidental way. The floors of the
three rooms had been scrubbed and
were coated with ice. indicating that
the water had frozen before the floors
dried There were also evidences that
an attempt had been made to wash the
Blood stains off the trunk. The mop
with which the washing had been done
was found near by.
The officers searched the house but
found nothing further to substantiate
the theory of murder. The blood
stained clothing was taken to County
Attorney Duffy's office, where thor
ough examination of it was made.
There is no doubt but that it is human
blood.
County Attorney Duffy took up the
case, and the investigation is now 60
ing on. Mr.. Duffy at once had war;
rant sworn out for the arrest of John
evening in the saloon of Lawlor & Nc
Greevy at the corner of Park avenue
and Cedar street. The charge upon
which he is being held is that Of as
sault in the first degree. Another war
rant was issued for the arrest of Pat
rick Swift man who occupied g. room
at McLindens house Swift could not
be found in Anaconda, but was arrested
by Deputy Sheriff DAILY in Butte last
night. He will be brought here at
once.
The stories told by the people who
live at Carroll are conflicting and can,
not be considered altogether reliable.
One story upon which all seem to agree
is that, on Friday night, the screams of
a woman were heard issuing from the
house occupied by McLinden. Those
who heard the shrieks say they were
most agonizing, as though coming from
a person whose life was in peril. Every
one who heard them is quite sure the
cries were uttered by a woman 1t is a
curious fact that no one investigated
the cause at that time, but such is the
case. The screams were heard about
midnight.
The last time Mrs. McLinden was seen
at Carroll, so it Is said, was on Friday.
Since that time no one has seen her,
and the house has been locked up. 1t
Is said at Carroll, that McLinden told
people there that he had sent his wife
to Iowa.
When McLinden was arrested, he APP
peared very calm and cool, evincing lit
tie concern at his arrest When the of
f1cer took him into custody, the warrant
was read to him. McLinden remarked
that that isn't what they want me
for" When the officers asked him \
where his wife is now, he told them to
go and find out. He refused to say any
thing about the affair.
The man Swift is wanted as wit
ness. A man named Mcdonald told the
officers that Swift had once said to
him II could tell something that would
make peoples hair stand on end but
my lips are sealed" The officers may
learn something from Swift that may
throw considerable light on the mys-
terry.
Mr.. Iawlor one of the proprietors of
the saloon above referred to- was seen
last evening. He said that he knew Nc
Linden in casual way. McLmden. said
Mr.. Lawlor, Is one of the men who re-
Gently walked out at the converters. and
has been frequent visitor at his sa-
loon for about ten days. Mr.. Lawlor
is under the impression that McLinden
told him about 10 days ago that he had
sent his wife back to Iowa to his folks
home. Lawlor says McLinden is not |
much of a drinking man and so far as
he knew, always worked when he could
find employment.
The officers are fully of the belief that
murder has been done, or If not muir |
der, at least serious crime There is. |
at Carroll, an excellent place where a |