Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-03-18
Norton, of Centefville,
Commits Suicide
IN HIS FRIENDS PRESENCE
No Occasion For the Deed--Had Been
Married Only a Few
Weeks.

EuWaiu l.. norton, a young resident OL
Centerville, committed suicide about 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon, at his home,
in the presence Of a friend, almost in the
presence of his wife, without a moments
warning, and for no apparent cause. In
deed many of the dead mans friends and
relatives contend that death was the re-
suit of accident. The body is at Duggan's
undertaking rooms, where at 1880 tonight
Coroner Julien will investigate the
causes leading up to this most unfortunate
tragedy.
James Best, an intimate friend of Nor
toms, was with him when the fatal shot
was fired. He says Norton was a native
of Ireland, but located in Scranton,
Pennsylvania, a number of years ago.
There Best met him and the two became
very friends. Best came west,
and when about "A months ago Norton
came to Butte and met his old chum, the
friendship was renewed.
Last ummer Norton was married to a
Miss Cahill of Scranton. Mr.. Best had
been a friend of the young lady in Penn
s%ylvania, and this fact further cemented
the friendship between the two men. The
two couples went to all the entertain
ments of Centerville and apparently en-
joyed life to the fullest extent. YeSter-
day morning, according to an arrange
ment made several days before, they left
Centerville for the purpose of participant
ing in the st. Patrick's day celebration.
They followed the procession to the
Parochial school, then to the church and
enjoyed themselves thoroughly. When
they were on their way home they
stopped at a photographers studio and
had their photographs taken. About 2:3O
they went to the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
Norton and partook of lunch. 1t was their
intention to return down town after the
meal. Some sharp words were passed
| between MI. and Mrs. Norton over some
trivial matter, but the affair was not a
quarrel and relations were very pleasant
Immediately after the occurrence.
Neither seemed offended. Their the two
couples pleasantly chatted for a few min
utes, when someone suggested that the
party return to the festivities, and this
was agreed upon. The ladies went into
one room to put on their hats and wraps,
while Norton and Best went into the
family bedroom to get their overcoats.
Best put his coat on. Norton was in the
act of doing so when he took a gun out of
his hip pocket, and his friend thought his
intention was to put the gun in his over
coat pocket. Best assisted him to get into
his Overcoat and was in the act of pulling
Norton's undercoat down, when he was
startled by two pistol shots fired in quick
succession. Norton fell over on the bed.
The ladies, alarmed by the reports,
rushed into the room in frantic haste.
Mrs. Norton was almost hysterical. Best
gave his wife some directions and went
out, returning with DR.. Hammond, but
Norton had expired before the arrival OF
the physician. He did not speak after the
shooting. Coroner Julien was notified
and viewed the remains.
An examination showed that but one
bullet had penetrated Norton's body.
From the location of the wound it is evil
dent that the bullet is imbedded in the
region of the heart, there being no exit
wound. The gun is a cheap, Al calibre
affair of five chambers. Mrs. Norton
picked it up a short time after the death
of her husband and it exploded in her
hand; a little later when Mr.. Best was
showing it to Dr.. Hammond, it exploded
the second time.
Mr.. Best states that Norton was not at
all under the influence of liquor yester-
day. He had been with him all day and
they took not to exceed three drinks. He
also states that the relations between
the dead man and Mrs. Norton We're OF
the most agreeable nature.
The deceased was said to be very
irritable and quick tempered. A young
man who is employed in the meat market
of Mccarthy & Come said Norton drew
a gun on him in the shop yesterday morn
ing because some order a not beer
filled to his liking. His wife persuaded
him not to shoot.
; The lead man had recently been EN-
I ployed at the Diamond mine, was
) member of the Miners union. A cousin
named Norton was mysteriously killet
in Los Angeles about two months ago
! Two cousins reside in Butte, and othe
I relatives of the deceased live in Pennsyl
) vania, and they have been notified b.
} wire of his unfortunate death. 1t is no
known, as yet, what disposition will b
I made of the remains but in all probabil
) ity, they will be shipped to the Pennsyl
, vania home of the deceased.