The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-11-25

One of the centers of attraction to-day
was in the justice court. The occasion
was the trial of Ed Mcneil, who, as stat
edin this mornings Standard, was arrest
ed on information filed by the county at
torney, charging assault in the first de-
gree on the person of Ed Thibodeau. The
county attorney conducted the examine
alton and State Senator w. A. Clark rep
resented the defense. Several witnesses
were examined for the state, who testi-
fled about the same. From evidence pro-
duced on the stand it seems as though
the young fellow who was shot and some
companions were enjoying a game of
cards in Haids saloon, when Mcneil
walked in and Joined them and took a
stack at so cents. The game lasted some
time and broke UP in dispute. Barney
Groveman acted as cashier and refused
to cash" the checks OF MCNEIL, and Nc
Neill says in testing manner: "By Cd.
l will see that you do" About this time
shot was fired and Mr.. Thibodeau says.
I'm shot" Mcneil handed the proprie
tor the gun. telling him: Here, take this
d-n thing; / have shot Thibodeau." The
unfortunate man was carried to a hotel
and physician summoned.
One witness testified that Mcneil says
when Thibodeau fell: ~ did not mean
to shoot that man" All the evidence went
to show that none of the parties were
drinking to any extent and no quarrel
existed among them with the exception
of the few words between Groveman and
Mcneil. No one noticed the gun in the
latters hands until after the shot was
nred. The court adjourned and went to
the wounded mans house and took his
statement. but it was practically the same
as the others. The defendant was placed
On the stand and stated how he came to
be in possession of the gun. He had been
In one of the other saloons in the earlier
part of the evening and in reaching over
the counter TO get glass of water, spied
the gun. placed it inside of his panta-
looms at the belt and walked out. This
he did to prevent other parties from US
ing it, as a scrap had just been finished
where he got the gun. In the course or
the evening he wandered into Haid's. The
gun slipped down toward the floor several
times and he would reach down and bring
it back to place. AS he was talking to
Groveman about the chips he felt the gun
slip reached for it and pulled it out above
the belt and it was discharged. how, he
does not know He testified that he and
Barney We're the best of friends and he
was only talking to him in a joking man
ner The court deeming the evidence not
sufficient to warrant in binding the prison
er over to the district court, ordered his
discharge. The evidence about the game
and it's character was very shy. as would
be natural 1t is rumored that several
arrests will follow for defying the gam.
bling law and certain ones are feeling
rather blue.
A good deal of interest was taken in the
approaching examination of John Doc,
who is alleged to have appropriated A.
year-o,d steer from John Dullea. as stat
ed in Yesterdays dispatches. Judge Boil
linger set the hearing for Dec. 5, so that
the prisoner may have time to procure
witnesses and counsel. This case will be
watched with interest as a prominent
stockman is connected with the charge
that OF grand larceny. A cash bail of
$500 was furnished.for his appearance The
members of the Southern Montana Stock
association are taking a decided interest
in the matter and think they have clear
case.