Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1899-10-04
O'MELVENEY KILLED.
SHOT BY MILLS IN SALT LAKE.
Chief Engineer OF the short Limo Meets
Death at the Hands OF Former
Lieutenant Governor of Idaho.

Lieutenant Governor of Idaho.
Another bloody chapter was sud
denly added shortly before four
o'clock this afternoon to the big
volume of dark deeds that have
been committed in Salt Lake and
Utah during the present year.
This time the victim is Chief En-
gineer John e. O'Melveney of the
Oregon Short Line. His murderer
is Captain Fred J. Mills, formerly
lieutenant governor and state en-
gineer of Idaho.
The deed seems to have been de-
liberately and revengefully planned
and carried out in the most foul and
cruel manner.
O'Melveney was in his office,
room So, of the Oregon Short Line,
just before four O'clock. 1t appears
that he was alone when Mills en-
tered. The latter had made appli-
cation recently for work in O'Mel-
veney's department, but had not
been accepted. He blamed O'Mel-
veney and sought revenge in muir
der.
O'Melveney was shot three times
through the head and died instantly.
All sorts of rumors were aAoat
in Salt Lake after the shooting.
Some say there is woman in the
case, while others say there is no
truth to the statement, and that the
trouble was over a position Mills
was after, and failing to get it
blamed O'Melyency for it.
From letters found on Mills it
would appear as though he had had
trouble with his wife. 1t is further
stated that he was about to be
separated from her on that account
and that his children were to be put
in a boarding school.
FREDERICK j. MILLS.
Frederick ]. Mills, the self-con-
fessed murderer, lis a man who ID
well known in Utah and Idaho, es-
pecially in the latter state, where it
is said he filed the post Of lieuten-
ant governor. Later he was APP
pointed State engineer for the same
state, which position he filled with
ability. With the breaking out of
the war with Spain Mills threw III
his lot with the Second United
States regiment of volunteer engi-
neers i'll which force he filled the
post of first lieutenant under Col.
Willard Young, The regiment was
split up, one battalion went to Cuba,
the other to Honolulu. Lieut..
Mills went with the latter force to
return subsequently wearing tile
epaulets Of captain, when he re-
turned he was suffering from inter.
nal trouble which terminated in his
removal to St. Marks hospital,
where an operation was performed
of nature that necessitated the re-
moval of one of his ribs. Tho
surgical feat was successful although
for some time his life was consid
cred to be in the balance. He re
; cuperated and is said to have beer
out of employment and suffering
, from melaneholia superinduccd By
domestic trouble subsequent to tht
terrible deed of this afternoon.
J. c. o'MELvENEY.
Chief Engineer O'Melveney wal
: a married man. At l49 soutl
! Eighth East, this city, his wife and
five children reside. lie has beer
with the Oregon Short Line evel
since its organization, in 1897
Prior to that time he resided in
Pocatello, where he filled the posi-
ton of assistant engineer on tho
! Union Pacific, Idaho division. HI
was regarded as an excellent rail
road man. and one of the most trust
worthy officers IN the employ Of thu
! Oregon Short Line Deseret News