The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1916-10-06
DIXON MAN
F0ULLY MURDERED

0Oeeu
Hon. A. C. Thomas, formerly
a resident of Dixon and quite ex-
tensively known in this valley,
but for the past two years, a re-
sident of Thompson Falls, was
murdered in cold blood in front
of the Ward hotel in Thompson
Falls last Thursday morning,
Miss Colby of Spokane being the
murderess.
Mr.. Thomas was the chairman
of the republican county central
committee of Sanders county
and in consequence of his posi-
ton was active in the political
campaign now on. In Sanders
county a fierce factional fight
had developed, the leaders of
one faction recently starting a
newspaper to assist them in their
fight. Miss Colby was employed
on this paper and together with
her employers had made many
attacks on MIR. Thomas. On the
day prior to the murder Miss
Colby had, according to reports,
sought out Mr.. Thomas and ask
ed him for news items. This
Mr.. Thomas refused to do, stat
ing to her that she had previous
ly lied about him and his friends.
The next morning as he emerged
from the hotel with a friend
Miss Colby accosted him and de-
manded an apology for the alleg-
ed insult. Mr.. Thomas is said
to have ignored her and continu-
ed his way up the street. He
had only proceeded a few feet,
however, when the enraged wo-
man drew a revolver from her
wraps and fired four shots in
rapid succession, three of which
took effect. Two bullets pene-
trated the right arm and one
penetrated the abdomen,
The wounded man was taken
to the hospital in Missoula on the
first train but he was beyond the
aid of physicians and died Fri
day morning at five o clock. Mr..
Thomas was conscious for sever
al hours after the shooting and
stated that the only insult he
had offered the woman, if it may
be considered an insult, was that
she had lied about him and his
friends.
Miss Colby was Immediately
arrested and confined in the
Sanders county Jail to await her
hearing which was to commence
yesterday. Editor Menire of
the paper on which the woman
worked was also arrested and
there is talk of other arrests to
follow. Talk of the woman's
insanity has already been started
and on these grounds and the
further fact that she is woman
her attorneys will undoubtedly
depend for favorable action by
the court and jury.
Funeral services for the de-
ceased were held in Thompson
Falls Sunday under the auspices
of the Masonic lodge at that
place and the Knights Templar
of Missoula. Mrs. Thomas, wife
of the murdered man, is pros
trated and was unable to attend
the funeral.
Mr.. Thomas was born in Mass
in 1865 and came to
Billings, Montana, in 1892. After
a short time there he settled in
Sunshine, Wyoming, where he
engaged in the mercantile and
ranching business. Later he
moved his store to Meteetse and
upon the organization of Big
Horn county he was elected re-
preventative and four years later
state senator. The writer lived
to him and his estim-
able wife for fifteen years and
has known him intimately since
1893. He was always an active,
public spirited citizen, courteous,
a splendid neighbor and a good
friend. To his heart-broken
widow we extend, with his and
her friends in Montana and Wy
oming, sincere and heartfelt
D@o:loc kLo ~@,~o,,,