Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-13

acted as coroner in the absence OF the
regular officer. All of the eye witness
es we're examined, their stories agree
ing In the main and peing as given
above. After viewing the scene OF
the tragedy. they went into a secret
room and after a short deliberation,
brought in the following verdict:
we, the jury, find that lanes
Skinner came to his death from the
effects of gunshot wound made by
gun In the hand of John Flynn, and
the means and manner OF his death
was felonious."
James Skinner was 32 years OF age
and for the last nine years OF his life,
excepting about 20 months. during
which time he lived in Billings, he has
resided in Lewistown. At the time
of his death he was the proprietor of
the Eagle Cafe, run III conjunction
with the Eagle Buffet. His parents
live in Springfield. Neb.. his mother
being &C years of age and his father
81 years old. He also has brother
and sister in Springfield and broth.
er, Jacob Skinner, in Billings and en-
ployed In the N. p. round house. His
brother Ed. is his only relative in
Lewistown. The Billings brother ar.
rived last night and will be here for
several days pending the settlement
OF Jim's affairs.
The funeral was held from the Eag-
les hall this afternoon, Rev. Albert
Pfaus officiating. The burial was con-
Quoted under the rites of the E1gle
lodge, OF which the dead man was an
honored member and officer He was
also a member of the Yeomen lodge
and of the Lewistown Volunteer Fire
company. The latter organization
marched as a body in the funeral pro-
cession. as Is the custom of the order,
and pulled a fire cart appropriately
draped.
During his residence In Lewistown,
"Jim,' as he was generally called,
won the regard of all with whom he
came in contact. He was of infail-
ing good humor and was known rs a
man faithful to every obligation and
true to his friends. The unfortunate
manner of his death adds to the
gloom into which his passing has cast
his friends. To his aged parents in
their eastern home and to his other
relatives here and In other places, the
sympathy of the community is extend
ed.
The perpetrator of the deed, Jack
Flynn, came to Lewistown about the
first of September. He was employ
ed in the shop of VIM. jenkins, his
trade being that of barber. He was
quiet and peaceable while sober, but
showed quarrelsome disposition
while drinking. About the first of No
vember he opened an independent
shop in a small room back of the Mint
saloon. He apparently did well, but
lately has been drinking heavily and
had been up drinking and gambling
for two or three nights previous tC
the shooting. He came here fror
Belt, where he had an unenviable rep
utation. About a year or so ago ht
assaulted Judge Burns, and, 1t is said
had the town terrorized for Ions
time with his gun plays. He has alsC
been in trouble in Great Falls.
Naturally, the friends of Skinner
are very much aroused over the af
fair and demand speedy trial o.
Flynn. AS it happened, there are al
ready several criminal cases awaiting
trial before the district court. Sc
Judge Cheadle will at once call a jury
II everything goes as expected, Flynn
will be called before the bars of Ius
tice within eleven or twelve days.