Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-09-09
MURDER NEAR
LIVINGSTON
Ed. Proffitt Shoots and Instantly Kills
Sam Lee in a Saloon at
Clyde Park.
BOTH WELL KNOWN sTockMeN
No Apparent Provocation for the
oeed-Murderer Had Been
Drinking Heavily.

LIVINGSTON, Mont, sept. b.-What
appears to be cold-blooded murder.
without any extenuating circumstan-
ces, occurred in a saloon at Clyde
Park, point about 20 miles north
west from Livingston last night when
Ed. Proffitt shot and instantly killed
Sam Lee. The two men were well
known stockmen OF Shields river val
ley, where they have resided for many
years.
From the evidence submitted at the
coroner's inquest held over the re-
mains of Lee this morning, there
seems to be not single circumstance
that would warrant even a quarrel be.
tween the two men. Proffitt is con-
fined in cell at the county jail
where he sits dejectedly and appai-
emily downcast. He refuses to talk
concerning the affair and as yet he
has not uttered a single word in de-
tense of his action.
Immediately after the shooting
Proffitt gave himself up to the JUS
tice of the peace of the town of Clyde
Park, and was brought to this city.
where he was placed under arrest by
Sheriff Robertson and taken to the
county Jail. When taken to the Jail
Proffitt was under the influence of
liquor and it seems he has been drink
ing steadily since the shooting.
1t appears the two men were to-
gether good portion of the day at
Clyde Park and were the best OF
frbiends. During the day they had
been doing considerable drinking, and
last night went to supper together at
the hotel They talked good-natured-
ly of their stock interests and of the
future prospects. Lee paid for their
MOTEL bills and they returned to the
adjoining saloon, where they began
drinking again Later each become
somewhat under the influence of IL
quor. Lee spoke to Proffitt about a
dance that he had arranged for at a
neighboring ranch and invited him to
attend. They discussed the probabil
q
ing the conversation Proffitt said he
would go and when there he would
run the dance. Lee resented this and
said that himself and friends were 60
ing to run the dance and that Proffitt
must come simply as a guest. They
talked several minutes in this strain
when. without a word of warning.
Proffitt drew a revolver and fired two
shots into Lee in quick succession.
Lee fell at his assailant's feet and
died instantly.
The first shot fired by Proffitt pass
ed directly through Lees body near
the heart and the second entered the
right eye and passed through the head.
Either would have been fatal.
AS Proffitt stood over the PROSTATE
form of the murdered man specta-
tor to the shooting tapped him on the
shoulder and asked him why he did it.
and he replied that il was trouble of
more than years standing. Aside
from this remark he refused to make
a statement.
Witnesses to the shooting testified
that there had been no quarrel be-
tween the men, and that at the time
of the shooting they seemed to be
joking each other good naturedly con-
cerning the proposed dance. Lee. the
murdered man, was unarmed and did
not have even a pocket knife upon
his person. The reason for Proffitt
doing the shooting cannot be even sur
missed.
Several years ago John Proffitt. a
brother of Ed. shot Lee during q
quarrel over some stock. The wound
was a severe one, but finally Lee grew
better and entirely recovered from its
effects. Later this quarrel was set.
tied. and of recent years the families
have been on the best of terms.
At the inquest this morning Proffitt
was represented by Attorney II. j.
Miller, while the interests of the state
was looked after in the person of
County Attorney Stark. 1t is expect
ed that Proffitt will be given an en-
animation tomorrow. Both Lee and
Proffitt are unmarried men, but have
relatives residing in the Shields river
valley. The remains OF Lee will be
taken to Bozeman for burial. Lee,
the murdered man, Is known to have
been of a very quarrelsome disposi'
tion and had at many times been en-.
gagged in drunken rows.