The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-21
BUTTE NEWS.
VERY STRANGE FREAKS
Attributed to Doc Larkin by
Witnesses.
HE TOLD FUNNY TALES
Whiskey Good Thing for Broken Leg.
He Was Very Absent Minded 1t
Was Necessary to Force Him
to Wash Himself
|E TOLD FUNNY TALES


sound mind and not responsible for
his actions during the years 1892 and
1898, and some of the witnesses at
tributed to him some very strange
freaks.
The first witness examined at the
morning session was James w. Muir
ply, who testified that at one time
during the period in controversy Lar
kin complained to him that a man
named Burton, who had bond on the
Snohomish and Tramway properties
was not treating him fairly, but his
talk was so disconnected that witness
paid very little attention to him. Con-
tinuing, witness said Larkin once told
him fairy story about having started
out to make trip upon a time when
the Indians were on the warpath. He
had been captured by the red skins,
but had been nicely treated. Larkin
had also told witness that James A.
Murray was one of those who were
trying to cheat him out of his prop
erty
John P. Reins said he knew DOC"
Larkin 20 years. During the latter
years of Larkin's life he had found
him such bore that he avoided talk
ing with him as much as possible. One
reason for this was that he had some
trouble with Larkin regarding some
claims, and although it was not a
serious trouble, Larkin made himself
obnoxious by persisting in talking
about it. Witness drought Larkin's
brain suffered from his too liberal in
diligence in liquor.
Cross-examined, witness said that in
1894 he thought Larkin was not alto
gether right, but that in 1892 he was
capable of transacting his own bust
ness.
John J. Cotter knew Larkin for IS
years. During 1892 and 1898 he con-
Quoted a saloon, which Larkin fire.
quented, and he therefore saw him
often. Larkin would often get into
trouble with men in the saloon and
threaten them with knife or cane.
Witness regarded him as wholly ire
sponsible and not capable of transact
ing business.
Witness stated on cross-examination
that he never had any business deal
ings with Larkin.
DR.. M. S. Bacon testified that Lar
kin was patient of his during 1893
and 1894, and he regarded him as very
sensible.
In his cross-examination, DR.. Bacon
volunteered the information that men
who have suffered a broken leg expe-
rience more or less pain the rest of
their lives and not infrequently they
drank liquor to allay their pain. This
was the case with Larkin. Witness
had also had the same experience and
knew whereof he spoke.
The questions and answers follow:
Did you say you had broken a leg?"
asked counsel.
st did,
And you say whiskey is good in such
cases?"
ut is"
did you take some before coming
here?'
That's my business
And the inquiry ceased.
AT the afternoon session Henry Bal
lou testified that he roomed for years
with Larkin and he noticed during 1889
and 1890 that Larkin acted in manner
which witness described as foolish.
Witness frequently found it necessary
to force him to wash and change his
clothing. His mind seemed much i'm
paired.
DR.. J. c. Johnston knew Larkin we'll.
At one time, during the period he was
supposed to be of unsound mind, wit
ness met him on Main street and Lar
kin struck him for $40. Witness gave
him the money and few minutes later
he came back up the street. He again
met Larkin, who again struck him for
tirely that he had just borrowed $40,
and he acted like a man whose mind at
least wandered. Witness thought this
incident transpired the year before
Larkin went to the asylum.
Michael A. Donohue knew Larkin in
timately. During 1892 he had CONVEX
sation with Larkin in which the worlds
fair was mentioned and witness re-
marked that it looked as though the
fair would have to be postponed year.
Larkin became so enraged at the sug-
gestion that he threatened to murder
the witness.
James D. O'Brien testified that he
tended bar at the Board of Trade sa-
loon and at the NJ & M. in 1898. He
knew Larkin we'll, and frequently
waited on him. During this year Larkin
had habit of carrying things to eat,
ham bones, bread, etc, loose in his
pocket, and would frequently ask the
ness considered that all this time Lar
kin was going wrong in his mind.
George Hopkins kept the Board of
Trade saloon, which was a favorite
haunt of Larkin in 1892 and 1898. 1t
was his opinion that Larkin was of I'M
sound mind during those years.
Alexander Scott, who made the orig
inal affidavit that Larkin was insane
when steps were taken to send him to
the asylum, considered that Larkin
was insane and wholly irresponsible all
during 1892 and 1898, and possibly be-
fore.
Lee Davenport was the last witness of
the day. He testified that al the time
of the celebrated Black placer litigation.
In which Larkin was interested, in that
he had lost some lots on the ground
Involved, he (witness) and a Mr.. Ly-
ons started one day to visit the ground.
They met Larkin at the corner of Main
and Mercury streets. He carried a gun
In his hand, and started in to tell them
about some people who were trying to