The Havre herald. [volume] (Havre, Mont.) 1904-1908, 1906-12-21
FIGH 7 FOR
HIS LIFE

Among the important cases occu-
pying the attention Of the grand jury
at Helena is that OF the state against
Ed Mason. who is charged with the
murder of his roommate, X. L. Huff
at Fort Assinniboine on the 11th day
of September last. Attorney C. A.
Rose of the firm of Gentry and Rose,
of this city has but recently returned
from Helena where he was on busi-
ness in connection with the case.
Several witnesses from Havre went
to Helena last week on subpoenas in
this case and 1t is the general opin-
ion that the grand jury will render an
indictmen and the young man be
bound over for trial for the crime
mentioned.
The scene Of the alleged murder,
Fort Assinniboine, SO near this city,
has made the case Of particular local
interest. The evidence, tho largely of
a circu,nstantial nature, is said to be
strong, though the attorneys for the
defense are prepared to make a hard
fight to clear their client from the
grave crime alleged to him.
The story Of the crime has been
printed i'll these columns before but
for the benefit Of new readers, a re-
sumo of the same may be Of interest
and timely.
Mason and the murdered man oc-
coupled adjoining rooms In what is
known as the laundry building at the
fort. They were both employed in o
civilian capacity by the government,
Mason being wheel wright and HUFF
holding {. position in the quartermast-
er's office.
Mason came to%Havre on the 1lth
OF September, INDUCED in q three
days session Of revelry in the sa-
looms and red-light district and re-
turned to the fort. While in Havre he
Il said to have spent considerable
money. This is the story.
Upon his return to the fort, SO it is
claimed, he made inquiry as to the
whereabouts Of Huff. The latter had
not sheen seen and going to his, Ma
sons room he discovered the dead
body of bis comrade lying in pool of
blood on the floor, his head crushed
from a blow made by blunt instru-
ment.
The door of Huff's own room was
found locked and those who accom-
panied Mason on his trip Of investt-
cation after he had given the alarm,
found it necessary to break in the
door. 4 stream of blood lead from
the spot in Mason's room, where tie
corpse VAS found, to the room Of Huff
and upon breaking in the door, an
other pool of blood was found
close to q writing table where the
murdered man had evidently been oc-
cupied in writing. An unfinished let
ter, directed to his sweetheart in the
east and dated the 11th of the month,
lay upon the table. The supposition
is that he. met his death upon that
date
The officer of the day was notified
by Mason it is claimed and the news
brought to this city. Mason was ar
rested upon suspicion and coroner's
jury rendered a verdict to the effect
that Huff had met his death at the
hands OF Mason by blow from a ham,
mer. The hammer, suggested to have
been the instrument with which the
deed was committed, was found lat
ter where, it is claimed, Mason had
lett it. Mason had been doing some
work at the building where the ham,
ner was said to have been found and |
his connection with it may be thus
explained.
Mason had always claimed that he
had wealthy relatives in the east and |
developments go tc showy that his
father vas at one time q New YorW |
commission merchant and well-to-do
lt is also stated that this parent has
been heard from and other relatives
as we'll
The defense, it is the supposition,
will point to the facts that the eFi-
dence is largely Ct a circumstantial
nature and the man should be given
the benefit Of the doubt The case
will probably come up at the next
term of court at Helena, The reports
that the young mans father has been
here and engaged other additional
council is repudiated by those in a
position TO know.
News vas received from Helena
yesterday 10 the effect that the grand
jury had returned an indictment a.
gainst Mason This was anticipe ted
by his attorneys and was no surprise
TO most people of this city. It is ex-