The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1909-11-20
CHARLES r. cRiSWELL MEETS
DEATH AS pESUlT OF OVER.
DOSE OF MORPHINE.
IS GIVEN BY COMPANION
Louis Clark, Fellow Workman, Is Held
IN County Jail, After Stammerine
Out Confession That Poison Was Sc
cured in MissouIa-Tragedy Of
"Snow" Staged on West Front Street.

Charles +. Criswell. a laborer who
came to the city few days ago. is
dead as the result of an overdose of
morphine, said to have been admin
istered to him last evening by Louis
Clark in the Shamrock saloon. Clark
is being held and may face a criminal
charge. although he is supposed to
have taken at least as much of the
drug as did his more unfortunate COM
panion. Last night Clark was still too
stupid from the effects of the poison
he had taken to tell much of a story
although he did manage to stammer
out that he had purchased the stuff
at drug store in Missoula. He gave
out enough additional information
about his purchase to give the authori-
ties good idea as To the identity of
the apothecary's shop he patronized
and investigation will follow today.
Police and Coroner.
The police and coraners office were
at once notified of the death of Girls
well and Coroner Kendrick took
charge of the body. Criswell died
at o'clock in the west Front street
saloon, and his companion, Louis
Clark, who was placed under arrest
and $. Mangnall and Frank Sullivan.
were being sweated at police headquar-
ters by Night Chief Mcdonald and
Sergeant Carver within a few min
utes after the discovery of the ueath.
Sullivan and Mangnall told straight
Forward stories of the circumstances
that led up to tho death of their fell
low workman, for all had been EN-
ployed in the construction camp of
Robert Johnson at Dixon until day
Or so ago. They are in Missoula. so
they say. on their way to Spokane
The following account was given at
police headquarters last evening to u
Missoulian man by Mangnall. who is
p young man of intelligent appearance
he brightest looking man of the trio:
MansnaII's Story.
"Criswell had been working as a
grader at Dixon and | never knew
him to drink before We came to Mis-
soula. He had been here three days
Late this afternoon went to a barber
shop to get cleaned up and also bought
some new clothes. When | came back
10 the saloon where | had left them
had in an envelope and asked me il |
iidn't want shot | asked him what
was and he said snow | told him
didn't want any of it and later on
(Se all went farther up the street to
he Shamrock. There Clark and Girls
well took some whiskey and some Of
he white stuff out of tho envelope
The next thing knew Crisweli was
Head and Clark was as you See him
now" The boy ended his story. point
ng to the stertorousiy breathing, drug
stupid form Of Clark. sitting crumpled
lp in chair next tn him.
Sullivan corroborated the statement
bf Mangnall, but attempts To wake up
lark and make him talk were of little
avail. Disconnectedly he told of buy
ng the snow" saying that he had
secured four bits worth" He is said
10 have taken IA bigger dose than he
gave to Criswell, SO it is supposed that
fe was accustomed to the use of the
lrug. Clark was able to walk to the
county Jail. but his mind was clouded
Ftill and even the night air was un-
able to do much toswake him.
Inquest Today.
Coroner kendrick announced last
hight that an autopsy would be held
pn the body of Criswell at 10 O'Clock
his morning. and that an inquest
would be started at o'clock this aft
ernoon. Mangnall and Sullivan will
pc the principal witnesses. along with
he employees of the Shamrock saloon.
sho last night professed to know little
bf the case.
crisweli was about 40 years of age
nd. To quote his companions. unmar-
lied. They know nothing of his life
prior To the time he came to work at
Dixon. two months ago. He had a
little morey in his pockets when found.
lie and the other men had been paid
bff but recently.