The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-19
DAFT WHEN HE Shot
James S. Keerl, Who Shot and Killed
Thomas Crystal, Will Rely
on Insanity.
Trial Of Once Prominent Mining
and Civil Engineer Commenced
at Helena.
Special to Tho Journal.

special TO Inc journal. 81 ~
Helena. Mont, May 19.-James s. Keerl,
at one time on the leading mining and
civil engineers in the state, was yesterday
placed on trial in the district court on
the charge of having murdered Thomas
Crystal, bartender in the Milwaukee sa-
loon on Main street., on April II. 1902.
Contrary to expectations but little diff
Guilty was experienced in securing a jury.
Keerl did not appear to be very greatly
and except during a, recess OF
court he did not consult with his attor-
neys. During the examination of tales
men Keerl sat in a reclining position on
a bench and most of the time had f1is
eyes closed. While court was in session
Mrs. Keerl sat beside her husbands at
torneys and was frequently in consultation
with them. Among the spectators was
Mrs. Crystal, wife Of the dead man, who
appeared to take great interest In the
proceedings.
George sould was the only witness ex-
amined who told the story Of the crime
substantially as follows:
Thomas Crystal was a bartender at
the Milwaukee saloon and it was thera
the shooting occurred. Keerl was alleged
to have been drinking heavily that day.
and for several days previous. He came
into the saloon with several soldiers, pur-
chased drinks and had them taken up-
stairs to tables where they were partaken
Of
Some alteration took place at that
time and the crowd went out. Later
Kerl returned and commenced playing the
piano upstairs. Crystal, being disturbed.
sent the witness to tell Keer1 to cease,
which he refused to do. Crystal himself
then went up and after some words
scuffle ensued in which Crystal struck
Ixeerl and knocked him down. He arose
and wiping the blood from his face left
the premises, but soon returned with
revolver he f1aA
bartender being behind the bar.
He, stepped up on a low railing in
front and making some remark leyeled
his gun at Crystal and commenced firing.
He shot five times, several bullets taking
effect.
"Keerl then left the saloon and was
taken into custody and escorted to the
police station where he was confined.
Later he was taken to the county jail,
charged with murder in the first degree.
Crystal died a few days after the shoot
ing. The defense will be insanity.
Fair Trial Law overthrown.
On the ground that the bill is defective
and exceeds the authority Of the consti-
tuition, the supreme court has declared
Unconstitutional the change Of judgeship
or fair trial bill enacted by the recent leg
fslature. This measure was the innocent
cause of the fame rs filibuster instituted
by the Heinze leaders In both the senate
and house. and later became q law without,
the governors approval.
i The Heinze leaders said it was aimed at
the Butte judges, where originates all the
Heinze- Amalgamated litigation, which to
date involves mining property valued at
more than hundred million dollars.
| The supreme court gave a decision in
j the case Of one of Heinzes superintend-
ents against the Boston and Montana to
prevent the latter from turning it's prop
erty over to the Amalgamated. The
grounds principally considered in the
opinion are original and supervisory
jurisdiction as interpreted by the consti-
tuition. The act is mandatory in directing
appointments to be made and it's effect Is
! to declare sunnarily that the judge is
biased. Not being a. legislative body the
court holds that it has no authority to
make such bias operate as a disqualifica-
ton.
Thus Heinze, the young millionaire,
who has been such a thorn in the side Of
the copper trust, gains another important
Victory.
| The court will, hand down a decision
in the Minnie Healy case in few days.
1T is understood and generally believed
this will also favor Heinze.
Soldier Commits Suicide.
/ Fourth Sergeant Bruce Grey, Company
| A, Twenty-fourth infantry, stationed at
Fort Harrison, committed suicide in the
Rodney lodging house last night by drink
ing carbolic acid Shortly before taking
the fatal dose he stated that he had had
some trouble with the first sergeant Of
his company and this is the only reason
assigned for the deed.
HELENA, MONTHS supreme court
yesterday decided the fair trials bill, over
which the principal fight was made at-ths
last session of the legislature, to be un-
constitutional
GREAT FALLS, MONTH H Wilson,
a sheep herder on the range near Portage.