Daily inter mountain., 1900-12-18

The inquest on the body of j. V. Cum
ningham, who was killed by his brother
in-law, last Friday afternoon at Cum
ningham's residence on Big Butte,
which was begun by Coroner Brown last
evening at Duggan's undertaking rooms.
developed evidence which puts the killing
of Cunningham in a different light from
that in which 1t was originally viewed.
Some Of the testimony adduced, reflected
strongly against Felker, as it went to
show that Cunningham may not have
been killed solely to save the life Of his
wwife, as it was first made to appea.
At the inquest, Deputy County AttOr-
ney Roy S. Alley appeared and examined
the witnesses in the interest of the state,
and County Attorney-elect Peter Breen.
who will have to conduct the prosecution
of Felker when his case comes to trial,
was present to hear the evidence. Attor-
neys Smith and Cotter were at the in
quest in the interest of Felker.
DR.. p. Sheeran, the county physician,
who performed an autopsy on the body
Of Cunningham was the first witness ex-
amined. He testified that he found eight
wounds on the body. One wound was
caused by the bullet which had entered
at the back and passing Through the
! heart, lodged just under the skin of the
breast, indicating beyond dispute that
Cunningham had been shot from behind.
The witness made another surprising
statement when he testified to having
found a knife wound in the back.
From the location and nature Of the
several wounds the witness stated that
it was evident that Cunningham had been
struck on nearly every side. The seven
bullet wounds, the witness said, were
caused by five shots, hut the bullet which
passed through the heart was undoubted-
ly the one which produced death.
In response to questions propounded by
Mr.. Cotter, DR.. Sheeran said it was pos
sible for the wound in the back, having
the appearance of having been produced
by knife stab might have been caused
by the body striking some sharp object
in falling to the floor. The clothing worn
by cunningham was examined for the
benefit of the jury and holes to cores
pond With all the wounds described by
Dr. Sheeran were found in the cloth.
There were no powder burns on the body
Of the deceased or the clothing.
Deputy Sheriff P. H. Sidley, testified
to young Felker coming to the sheriff $
office and giving himself up.
He came in," said Mr.. Sidley and re-
HldTkeu l guess 1 dIiI d &c WI y w
| for awhile y"
The witness stated that Felker then
went on to tell about the shooting, say
ing that he had killed Cunningham to
save the life of his sister. The witness
went to the Cunningham residence and
| got the gun Felker did the shooting with
| and a knife which was said to be the
one Cunningham had attempted to use
| on his wife. When the witness reached
the house he found the body of Cunning
| ham lying on the floor in one room and
| in the adjoining room, Mrs. Cunningham
! lay in bed crying hysterically..
James j. Mcleod, neighbor of the
| Cunninghams. told of being summoned
shortly after the shooting took place. He
said that when he entered the house he
saw a revolver and knife lying on the
table in the fornt room.
| John Barnes, who lives near. the Cum
ningham residence, testified that on the
night previous to the shooting, Mrs. Cum
ningham had requested him to guard the
house against her husband and he hao
| stood guard all night.
| Important evidence was given fol
Felker by Mrs. Minnie Higgins who was
. nursing Mrs. Cunningham She sait
she was in an adjoining room when the
trouble occurred
II heard Cunningham's mother-in-laN
tell him he had been in the house lone
enough and for him to co. said tht
| witness, tand Cunningham replied tina
| he would not leave the house. I heart
Cunningham say to Mr.. Felker, you are
| trying to create trouble between me ant
| my Wife Felker replied: Excuse me
| you are a liar
| The witness further stated that SHIT
was sure Cunningham brought the knife
in evidence, with him to the house. Sh'
said Felker told her he was leaving tn
bedroom when turned and saw Gun
ningham bending over his wife with hi
knife in his hand. He then pulled hi
gun and shot him.
Mrs Lucina A. Felker. mother of Mrs
| Cunningham and young Felker, who di'
the killing, was the next witness to tes
| tify. She said:
"On the day before the killing, Gun
ningham and his attorney, Mr.. Kohl
came to the house. The next day Gun
! ningham came again, accompanied b.
Mr.. Mckinstry. Cunningham sat on tn
rbed and talked to his wife. He asked t
see the baby and l brought it to him
He kissed the child. He asked for wine
and I gave it to him reluctantly, as W
We're all afraid of him. Afterward h
asked the rest of us to leave the room
as he wanted to speak to his wife alone
We said we would go if his wife wa
willing, but she shook her head. l aske
him to wait till his wife was better be
fore he talked of a divorce and busines
matters. l asked him to go, but he in
sisted on staying, and continued to lea
over the bed. l saw him put his han
| under his clothes and draw a knife The
there was gun shot and the knife fe
on the bed. My daughter sprang out {
bed and cried to me to take him ava.
I suppose my son was excited after
fired the first shot, as he continue