Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-03-13

OefCu, ana MS UlOOU
- cries from the soul for
vengeance on the as
sassin.
Murder will out''-that is an atluGe
the truth of which has been testified 20
by the centuries, and in the case Ct
Steve Wells it now appears as if another
instance of the verify of the saying We're
about to be furnished.
The circumstances were mystnl ious
and the details as given by suspect; who
were promptly placed under a. rest con-
Trajectory and confusing, but slowly
and surely the Nemesis on the tr'a! of
the redhanded assassin has followed his
man until now the police feel absolutely
certain that justice will be done the
guilty punished and the innocent eAon-
Grated.
This time the mute agent of detection
was the fluid which is generally respon-
sible for so much misery on earth--anl-
ber-colored whisky. Flowing through
the channels of one mans brain it has
crowded out the knowledge of the crime
contained therein and Chief LaVelle now
has his hands on a witness WHO fur
nishes evidence of an important nature,
which may result in sending one man
to the gallows and some others To the
penitentiary for the rest of their natural
lives.
Already messages have been Wired
throughout the country and the police
of many cities are on the looko 1T for
the men who stand accused of the fear
full crime. 1t is believed that WITHIN
short time they will be captured and
returned to the spot where they COM
mitted the deed which caused so great
a sensation.
George Smith, waiter, formerly en-
ployed in Ripe & Mirfin's restaurant
and lunch counter, at No So West Broad
way, is the person who has risen up and
pointed an accusing finger at the men
whom he declares are responsible for the
murder. His story is short and to the
point, his manner is convincing and the
police believe that With the knowledge
he has placed in their possession they
can fill in the minor details and make
q complete case out against the accused
men.
The tale told by Smith is graphic and
hts in well with the faces already in the
possession of the police. II true it
shows that the murder was premedi-
tated for at least day before it was
committed that Charles Slaton was the
intended victim and that the murder Of
Missouri Steve" was the result of pc
culiar complication of circumstances;
that party now within reach of the
l
carried out by "Biff' O'Connor and one
Burke, two men with records for whom
the police of several cities are now
searching. The strange character of
the tale is increased by the fact that
Slaton, whom Smith claims was the in
tended victim, is now locked in a prison
cell on suspicion of being implicated in
the assassination.
Ever since the murder was committed
the Inter Mountain has had it's local
staff on the lookout for any clew that
might lead to detection of the murderer
or murderers, and last evening it's vigil
ance was rewarded bya discovery of the
witness whom the police are convinced
has placed the key of the mystery in
their possession. AS soon as Smiths
stcry was cleaned the information was
conveyed to Chief Lavell The chief
gave the closest attention to the story
ard when it was concluded, said: THAT
fits my theory exactly. I knew that
Smith was the roommate of Cox and be-
lieved all along that he knew good
deal about the murder. 7 shall take him
into custody ct once
Several days ago Smith, who Is a young
fellow bearing generally good reputa-
ton. lost his position on account of Mirfin
huving an interest in the place where he
lad fiaen working. Since then he has
ls IN drinking to some extent on account
feeling of despondency and mention
e. to several persons that he knew more
a. out the murder of Wells than did any
bedy else except those actually con-
cerned. In order that this story may be
appreciated a brief review of the facts
surrounding the commission of the crime
Will be necessary.
! STORY OF THE CRIME.
Steve Wells. better known as missouri
Steve" was mysteriously murdered at
about 1880 O'Clock on the morning of Feb
ruary % in a cabin situated in the alley
just back of the city Jail.
The cabin in which the shooting took
place has two rooms, the rear one con-
tanning faro layout. which was con-
Quoted by the dead man and Charles
Sla
AT the time mentioned Officer Ferns
was coming up the alley and saw a man
in his shirt sleeves running across He
approached the man, who proved to be
Slaton, and was informed that a man
had been murdered in cabin in the al
ley to the right of the old postoffice
building. Ferns accompanied Slaton to
the spot and found Wells lying in the
center Of the floor of the front room,