The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-05-05
JACK Balm OF TOPIC THEATER
SHOT.
WITHOUT APPARENT CAUSE
AssaiIant Fires Two Shots Into Vic.
tim While Latter's Back
Is Turned.

Of the Topic theater, is an inmate of
st. Vincent's hospital, suffering from
two severe pistol wounds, which he
sustained last evening at the hands
Of S. Thompson, a cook employed on
one of the Northern Pacific dining
cars.
AS detailed by those who witnessed
it the assault seems to have been
wholly without %provocation. Thomp-
son, Balm and some others had been
drinking considerable during the at
ternoon at the Topic, the cook, it is
said, having bought beer freely, some
thing like a dozen bottles. Shortly
after 6 o'clock Balm and his partner,
Tony Minder, left the theater for the
Little1Terrace saloon, an establish
ment-4hsy also own, nearby, for the
purpose Of checking up the cash reg
lister. Minder was behind the counter
and Balm was in the act Of turning
the corner of the bar to join him,
when Thompson entered and without
a word approached to within a few
feet of Balm and drew a revolver and
fired at him. The first shot struck
Balm, whose back was turned to
Thompson, in the left side. Instantly
Balm turned and attempted to grapple
with his assailant, but before he could
49,, ln~l~ -. bf~~o T11y,opcnr1 Hrod q
second shot. This took effect in the
left wrist of Balm and disabled the
hand.
BY this time Minder had managed
to get from behind the counter and
he closed in on the would-be murderer
and succeeded in bringing him to the
floor. Others in the place lent their
assistance and Thompson was dis
armed and held, while a messenger
was dispatched for an officer and doc
tor.
Doctor Rinehart was found at the
corner of Montana avenue and Twenty
seventh street. Under Sheriff Sayles
was nearby and seeing the doctor
and the man who had summoned him
leave hurriedly suspected that some
thing was wrong and followed them.
He was told what had occurred and
fastened to the saloon. There he
found Thompson in charge of those
who had captured him and took him
to Jail.
On the advice of the doctor Balm
was at once removed to the hospital,
where, assisted by Doctor Lindsey,
Doctor Rinehart made a more care
full examination of the mans wounds.
Probing developed that the bullet
that entered the side was somewhere
in the abdominal cavity and as no
evidence existed of internal hem
orrhage it was decided not to attempt
to remove the missile. The ball that
struck the wrist apparently entered
from the lower side and emerged from
the back. The large bone was found
to be badly shattered and it is possible
that amputation of the hand may have
to be resorted to, particularly should
blood poisoning intervene.
This morning Balm was reported as
being fairly comfortable, although
suffering considerable from the wound
in the wrist.
The Shooters Statement.
To the under sheriff Thompson
said that he had been short changed
during the afternoon and when HI
made a demand on Balm for the re
turn of the money he said was du'
him Balm had threatened to click
him. The name in which he ha'
been treated and the threat combined
he declared, was more than he "coul
stand for and he had shot, as he di
not propose to allow any mar to us
him in that way.
The revolver with which the shoe
ing was done if of small calibr'
about what is generally known as
"thirty-two."
Had Made Threats.
This morning it was stated thu
Thompson became abusive befol
leaving the theater and threatene
Balm with violence, but no attentio
was paid to him. although Balm ha
been warned to be on his guard. Bal
did not take the threats or warnin
seriously, not believing that the ma
would attempt to injure him.
"
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