The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-01-30
WELL KNOWN RESIDENT or THE
coEuR o'ALEnEs IS SHOT
WITH LITTLE RIFLE.
SELF DEFENSE CLAIMED.
Woman States That Shot Was Fired
to Protect Herself and Children. and
Is Not Arrested-coroner kendrick
Investigated Case and viii Hold In
quest Monday.

John I4asheil. one Of the most widely
known men Of the Occur d'Alenes. died
at MS home i'm Lothrop at noon yes
terday. from the effects of wound
received the night before from a gun
IN the hands OF his wife. who. accord
ing 10 her story. he was trying to
murder. his insane passion having
been brought on bNnhe excessive use
of liquor
Mrs. Lashell. the wife, told Coroner
kendrick. who was summoned after
her husbands death, that she had
trouble with him throughout Friday
afternoon. when he was crazed from
the effects of liquor At that time
he had made several threats. first
that he would kill one OF his children
and then the entire family. She had.
after being compelled to strike him on
the head with an empty bottle. finally
induced him to leave the house. He
was gone for several hours, but re-
turned in raging passion. His wife
mad locked the house up to bar his
entrance. but he seized an axe and
broke in the door. Then. brandishing
the axe in the air. he started after her.
She seized the first weapon that came
to her hands. which happened to be
22 caliber Winchester repeating
rifle. which was always kept loaded
in the house. and fired one shot. tho
bullet striking him in the upper part
OF the forehead. He fell and the
woman. realizing what she had done.
summoned several OF her neiHhbors.
who cared for the injured man until
the arrival of DR. Charles Pixley. who
came from Missoula and dressed his
wound. That was late AZ night and
the man was thought not to be seri-
nnsly injured. so the doctor returned to
Missonla. At noon word was received
by Coroner Kendrick that he was
dead. The coroner just had time TO
catch the Puget sound westhonnd train.
Stories told the coroner by residents
of Lothrop seem 10 place no blame Ola
Mrs. Lasheii. who did nothing mora
than defend the lives of herself and
children. They all unite In saying
that II was clearly case ef self de-
fense.
According to stories told by men who
knew Lashell well. he was n hard
drinker. having been drinking heavily
for several years. He was the owner
of considerable property around Lo-
throp and had not followed any oc-
eHpatian for some time About l2
years ago he served as constable of
F,renehtown township, but had been
around Lnthrop for nj least % years,
and was known by every man in the
Occur d'Alenes. He was a member OF
the Missoula aarie of Eagles. under
whose auspices the funeral will prob
ably be held
Is Not Arrested.
or Mrs. Lashell all who know her
say that she Is a woman deserving of
much better things in this life than
she has had. A mode, mother and
generous neighbor. hers is a life that
makes for herself friends with all, and
that she should be compelled to deal
death In her husband To protect her.
self and children Is regarded with
feelings Of mixed sorrow and regret.
The couple had six children. the
Youngest being only three years Of age.
while the eldest is IT.
Since from all the evidence obtain.
able, the killing was a justifiabla one.
the coroner did not consider il neees.
sary To take the harsh step of placing
Mrs, Lasheil under arrest However,
she will be in Missania Monday 10
testify at the inquest. which viii Prob
ably be held that evening
An examination nf Iashars body as
the margue disclosed a bullet hole in
the upper part of the forehead Sinca
there is no place of exit visible. il is
that the missile remained in
the skull. having probably penetrated
the brain Back Of the left ear is a
bad scalp wound caused when the man
WAS struck there by his wife. during
the preliminary troubles Of tho after
noon. The gun and axe were brought
10 Missoula and viii serve as exhibits
at the inquest