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About Weekly Montanian (Thompson Falls, Mont.) 1894-1897 | View This Issue
Weekly Montanian (Thompson Falls, Mont.), 22 Dec. 1894, located at <http://montananewspapers.org/lccn/sn84036085/1894-12-22/ed-1/seq-1/>, image provided by MONTANA NEWSPAPERS, Montana Historical Society, Helena, Montana.
• WEEKLY MONTANIAN. VOL. I THOMPSON FALLS, MONTANA, DECITAI BEIt 22, 1894. NO. 11. GOADED 10 MADNESS 'John Huntington, a Bank Clerk, Fires on His Inquisitors. A LOST CHECK THE CAUSE Two Agents or the it..tienty awl cas- ualty company ttseeet• se- ve r e wetinus. Council Bluffs, Iowa, Dec. 16. ---At 11 o'clock today a tragedy was enacted in the private office of . the Citizens' State bank of Council Bluffs which may result fatally for three persons. John Hunt- ington, assistant book-keeper and col- lection clerk, shot C. A. Cromwell of Minneapolis and F. N. Hayden of Chi- cago, representatives of the Fidelity & Casualty Company of New York, and then emptied his revolver into his own brain, inflicting a wound from which he died two hours later. Cromwell and Hayden, it is thought, will recover. Huntington was one of the best known men in Council Bluffs and numbered his friends by the hundreds. So far as can be learned, he had no bad habits, and this is what makes his act harder to explain. On the 20th of last July a check for $500 was turned over to him by Ira F. Hendricks, one of the emtdoyes of the bank, in the regular routine of business. Huntington charged up the check to the Stock National bank of South Omaha, and to this day nothing has been seen or heard of it. The day following Huntington left for a vaca- tion trip of several weeks to New York. The bank officials kept thinking the check would turn up sooner or later, and deferred action. As time passed on and it became evident that tho bank was out $500, they sent a message to the Fidelity & Casualty Company, notify- ing it of the fact and suggesting that the inspectors come and make an inves- tigation. The bank officials claim that at the time they had no charges to make against Huntington, or any em- ploye of tee bank in particular. All of their employes were bonded in the rt- delity, and they preferred that the Fi- delity company should make the inves- tigation, rather than make it them- selves. Messrs. Cromwell and Hayden arrived in the city last Friday and took rooms at the Grand hotel. They cross-exam- ined each of the bank employes through whose hands the missing check passed and among the rest. Huntington. They claimed to have discovered that he had been spending more money than his salary of $45 a month, which he was re- ceiving, would warrant, and on this fact, together with the fact that the check had been last seen in his hands. they based their suspicions on Huntissg- ton, and the representatives of the Fi- delity company met Saturday night and made arrangements for another meet- ing at the bank Sunday morning, when the investigation was to be resumed. GOADED TO MADNESS. At the hour appointed they were to- gether and Cromwell and Hayden com- menced to•put the young man through a running cross fire of questions. Pres- ident J. D. Edmonson and Cashier C. A. Hannan of the bank were there dur- ing most of the interview. The confer- ence had not been in progress more than five minutes when Huntington rose from his chair, pulled a gun and commenced firing at the representa- tives of the Fidelity company. The revolver was of 44 -calibre and belonged to the bank and had been kept in the desk of the paying teller. The first three shots were tired at Cromwell, wh( had taken the lead in the interrogation, and all thrse took effect. The fourth struck Hayden and then Huntington raised the weapon to his head and fired. He fell to the floor unconscious and remained so until his death at 10:20. TERRIBLY WOUNDED. The two wounded men ran out of the bank and into the Grand hotel, the blood dripping from them at every step. They were taken to their rooms and Dr. McRae Jr., summoned. He found that one of the bullets took effect in Cromwell's back, just to the right of the spine about the waist line. It was found about four inches below the sur- face and extracted. The second bullet struck in the left side of his cheek, ploughed its way around to the right side of his neck and came to a stop after just missing the carotoid artery. The third struck him in the right wrist, he having thrown up his hand to strike the revolver out of Huntington's hand. It broke one of the bones of the fore- arm clear in two and imbedded itself in the other bone, almost severing it. Cromwell will probably lose the use of his right hand on account of the stiff- ening of the wrist joint as a result of the fracture of the bone. Hayden fared better. The bullet • struck him in the neck - and after passing around a quarter of the way, emerged and imbedded itself in the panel of the door, where it was after- wards found. His wound is not consid- ered of a dangerous nature, but the variation of half an inch would have killed him. The bullet that took Hunt- ington's life entered the skull just be- hind the ear and lodged back of the right eye, where its presence was shown by the discoloration of the lid. His having the weapon in his posses- sion, showed that he had planned it all out beforehand and his coolness in the face of the terrible deed he was meditat- ing was surprising, although the men present at the interview testified that they had not the slightest idea that anything out of the ordinary was thought of by the young man. THE PRESIDENT'S STORY. Major Edmondson, president of the bank, was seen and asked for his ver- sion of the affair. He said: \Hunting- ton, Cromwell, Hayden and I were sit- ting in the private office. Cromwell was In the northwest corner of the room, I in the northeast, Hayden about the cen- ter and Huntington between Hayden and myself. We were seated about the table that stands against the north wall. Mr. Hannan, the cashier, had been sitting between Hayden and Hunt- ington until a few minutes before the shooting took place, when he went out into the front part of the bank. Hay- den and Cromwell had been question- ing the young man very closely about his mode of living. On one occasion he had deposited $70 in the bank and Crom well asked him where he got it. Hunt. Ington said that he borrowed it, but when asked of whom he borrowed it he could not remember and said that it was none of their business anyway. Up to that time I had the most implicit confi- dence in Huntington's honesty, but I must confess that his evasive answers made me doubt it. \I saw that something unpleasant was about to occur and got up to leave the room. Just as I got up Huntington did likewise. He passed behind Hay- den, and I supposed he was going to get a drink at the water -tank. There was nothing in his actions that indicated nervousness or excitement. I was about half way between my chair and the door when I heard a pistol shot, and looking around I saw Huntington standing be- tween Cromwell and Hayden and a lit- tle behind with a gun still pointed at the former. I hurried out of the private 9ffice, and as I went out I heard several more shots fired. 1 ran out and gave the alarm, and when several of us went into the private oftiee we found Huntington lying on the floor with blood streaming from a wound in the back of the head and the other two men suffering from the effects of his deadly aim. We have always considered John an honest man, and if there was any weak point in his character it was a little tendency to ex- travagane,\ • BAD TRACK FOR RACEHORSES. Three More Accidents at the San Fran- eiseo [(aces. San Francisco, Dec. 15.—There was another chapter of accidents at the Bay District track today. In the first race Jake Johnson, ridden by Chevalier, was winning, when he fell near the wire, the same as yesterday. Chevalier was not. hurt. Balgowan was started for the first time here and broke down. In the second race, Queen of Scotts. rid - dui by Eddie Jones, fell in the same place as Jake Johnson. The horse rolled on Jones and broke the boy's leg. Favorites won the last three races. SC'HAEFER BARS IVES. Chicago. Dec. 15.—Jake Schaefer an- nounces that as he has been unable to secure a match at cushion caroms with ives, he will play any other billiard player in the world three games. PENNSYLVANIA HOWLED. Philadelphia. Pa., Dec. 15.—The stu- dents of the University of Pennsylva- nia held high carnival this afternoon in honor of the victorious football team. The students have been given full liberty and license and Rome is literally howling all through the cor- ridors of the big building and about the campus. This evening the victors were given a big reception, the pro- gram including speeches, songs, and the presentation of trophies to the players. BANK CRISIS IN NEWFOUNDLAND. shareholders Preparing for a Lively Meeting at St Johns. St. Johns, N. F., Dec. 16.—The share- holders of the Commercial Bank of Newfoundland are preparing for a live- ly meeting tomorrow. Several com- mittees have been formed to watch the interests of special bodies of share- holders. The clergymen in all the city churches in their sermons today dwelt upon the crisis. They urged confidence and self-reliance, unity tor ine public good and a determination on the part Al' the people to work to regain their former possessions. It is probable that a public meeting to consider the condi- tion of the unemployed will be held dur- ing the week. The steaber Barcelona, with three canadiun bank representatives, will ar- rlye here about midnight tonight. COBLENTZ'S BONDSMAN ARRIVES. Investigatilin a t ana ‘s ails to sset the shortage. Walla Walla, Dec. 14.—Milo Kelly, one of Coblentz's bondsmen, accompanied by his attorney, Judge Reynolds and an expert accountant, arrived in the city today for the purpose of making the in- estigation necessary to ascertaining the late warden's shortage. The inven- tory of jute, brick, etc., will be complet- ed tomorrow. CONFUSION AT PEKIN Japan's Victories Have Befud- dled the Emperor. THE ROYAL FAMILY MAY FLY The plikau , c,i tiovernmeut i•ropo.es to Tio,r.ughty tiumbie gam Neightn.r. San Francisco, Dec. 14.—Advices from Yokohama by the steamer Gaelic say that edicts are pouring out from the palace in Pekin with a recklessness and lack of coherence Which attests the ut- ter confusion that reigns at court. Offi- cials are exalted and cast down, gener- als rewarded and disgraced, ordinarily without the slightest understanding of the transactions in which they have . been engaged. Occasionally, however, a shaft is let fly which seems to indicate that gleams of truth now and then pen- etrate the imperial precincts. General Wei, one of the masters of the Fabian strategy in Corea, has lost his head. General Yeb, who ordered the murder of the French priest, Joseau, is in pris- on. General Nieh a another of the fu- gitives from Corea, has been compelled to disgorge thousands of taels prema- turely bestowed upon him by the emp- ress dowager. Admiral Ting, who was loaded with favors for having been beaten at Taikosdn harbor, has been stripped of these tie:merited honors and ordered to follow hereafter the instruc- tions of an Englisaman, Captain Mc- Clure, who accompanies him nominally as vice admiral, but who really controls the fleet. On the other hand General Sung, whose feats of poltroonery have not yet reached his sovereign's ears, is en- nobled for \dispersing the vermin\ and pacifying Corea, and is ordered to \en- camp on the Yalu river and await ar- rangements for peace by the various powers.\ Li Hung Chang is appealed to and reviled in the same day. Prince Kung is for the moment the nominal center of authority, being appointed commander of all forces, military and naval. But before any practical result can 'follow the enunciation of a decree, is liable to be canceled in contradic- tory rescript. The government is with- out form and void. EMPEROR READY TO FLY. The report that arrangements are made for the flight of the imperial fam- ily from Pekin in case of the Japanese landing at Taku is so far confirmed that it is accepted as trustworthy by the Japanese authorities. Chang Chia is said to be chosen as the place of re- treat. Seditious placards have been posted in Ching Kiang denouncing the Manchu dynasty and demanding its overthrow. The best warships of the Nan Yang squadron have been ordered to join the naval force in the gulf of Pechili, but the officers and crews are in revolt, al- leging that their respective service is due only to the viceroy of Liang Kiang and that.they will not fight the battles of Li Hung Chang. The central govern- ment is offering strong pecuniary persu- asions to secure their co-operation. The latest report from China states that the emperor at last is prepared to appeal directly to his victorious foe and will ask for an armistice, while Prince Kung and Li Hung Chang will proceed to Japan and make terms. This rumor is not officially confirmed. JAPAN LOTII TO ACCEPT. Wants Her Insolent Neighbor Thorough ly Humbled. Tokio, Nov. 29, (per steamer Gaelic, via San Francisco, Dec. 14.)—It is with the greatest reluctance that Japan list- ens to sugestions for mediation from any quarter. The aim of the Chinese gov- ernment has always been to delude its people into the belief that the em- peror rules all nations, and that when one particular vassal state becomes troublesome, he has only to order its subjugation by others, and thus restore tranquility without unnecessary dis- turbance of his own composure. The idea that the mighty middle kingdom can humble itself so far as to sue for peace is one that must never enter the mind of the populace. If Japan were to treat indirectly through western pow- ers, it would be given out that China had commanded the tributary states of Europe to bring the rebellious Japanese to terms, and had thus settled the busi- ness without impairing her own dignity. This conviction once established throughout the empire, the court of Pekin would resume its habitual inso- ;ence, and again block the wheels of ;migress in the east. That is what Ja- ;..an firmly believes, and she is, there - \ore resolved that the whole Chinese nation shall be made aware of its gov- ernment's abasement. On no other terms can security for the future be assured. The inquiry of the United States as to Japan's willingness to accept the prof- fer of assistance is regarded as rather retarding than accelerating a satisfac- tory conclusion of the war. Neverthe- less, the authorities at Tokio are not al- together indisposed to allow an avowal of China's submission to be made through American diplomatic agencies. They would prefer that it come without circumlocution, direct from the Chinese sovereign. Their silence on this, as on most other subjects, is virtually impene- trable. The Japanese newspapers re- port that Mr. Dun, minister of the United States, is on his way to Hiroshi- ma to inquire into the proposals for peace. These statements are untrue in every particular. The American min- ister contemplates no visit to Hiroshima at present, The need of more money is asserting itself, but the minister of finance has called for a second war loan of 50,000,000 yen. The official announce- ment states that the bonds will be for 100 yen each, and 93 yen will be the low- est price accepted. CHINESE FOUGHT TO NO PURPOSE \touted by Japanese and Forced Back in Disorder. Hiroshima, Dec. 16.—A dispatch from the front states that reinforcements were sent to a Japanese detachment which on December 2 was compelled by a superior force to retire from Saibashu. On Dec. 14 the strengthened Japanese force made another attack on the Chi- nese who were advancing from Saibashu The latter fought with vigor, but were completely routed, fleeing in disorder. The Japanese puisued the enemy as far as Chokinshu and captured four guns and several prisoners. The Japanese loss was three officers wounded and 70 privates killed or wounded. The Chinese are still confronting the Japanese divis- ion commanded by General Tatsumi and fighting is expected shortly. THE PORT ARTHUR STORY. Washington, Dec. 16.—A telegram has been received at the Japanese lega- tion in relation to atrocities alleged to have been committed by the Japanese at the capture of Port Arthur. The government at Tokio is not yet in pos- session of the full details of the affair, but information already at hand shows conclusively that some of the reports which have been circulated concerning the affair are exaggerated and mislead- ing. If there was unnecessary blood- shed, the Japanese government can not but believe there must have been an inciting cause for the behavior of the troops, as hitherto it had been most exemplary at times and under circum- stances calculated to excite feelings of the deepest resentment and animosity. It is known to be a fact that a great majority of those Chinese who were killed at Port Arthur were not peacea- ble inhabitants, but Chinese soldiers disguised in civilian dress. Most of the inhabitants fled from the place several days before the capture and at the present time have returned and are pursuing their occupations without mo- lestation or restraint. The Japanese government and its representatives have no disposition to conceal any of the facts but on the contrary have caused the strictest investigation, the results of which will be promptly made public. BLIXT PLEADED NOT GUILTY. Self -Confessed Murderer of miss Ging Astonished the Court. Minneapolis, Dec. 17.—Claus A Blixt, the self confessed murderer of Cather- ine Ging, was arraigned in the district court this morning, and in a weak voice pleaded not guilty. His case was set for trial January 7 in spite of Attorney Odell's demand that it be not set earlier than January 27. When Blixt stood up at the bar and his attorney entered a plea of not guilty County Attorney Nye was much taken back. He spoke sharply to the prisoner and asked if he understood what he was doing. Blixt seemed dazed, but finally said half defiantly that he did. Nye was therefore forced to face the probability of the trial of the case, where had expected a plea of guiity. 13fixt made no explanation of his action, and the state asked none. The defense of Blixt will be on the plea of temporary insanity brought on by the use of alcoholic stimulants given by another for the purpose of provoking the deed. A GREEN GOODS SWINDLER. Minneapolis, Dec. 17.—An afternoon paper says: \The latest development in the Ging murder case is in the discov- ery of evidence that leads the authori- ties to the belief that Harry Hayward is western agent of a green goods com- bination whose headquarters are at New York, with the principal branch at Chicago. The first clue to this wes giv- en by one of the members of the gang. whose conscience was quickened by the murder of Miss Ging. The money which was obtained by Miss Ging from Hay- ward will be shown to be a portion of the green goods which passed into her possession from Hayward, who afterwards found it necessary to put his victim out of the way to prevent ex- liosure. Harry T. Hayward was brought over from St. Paul this afternoon to plead to an indictment charging him with the murder of Catherine Ging, but he asked continuance and he was granted until Saturday morning next to make his plea. Seeley Pleaded Guilty. New York. Dec. 17.—Samuel C. Seeley. former bookkeeper of the Shoe and Leather National bank, charged with aiding the late Frederick Baker in rob- bing the bank of r54,000, was arraigned in the United States circuit court today. He pleaded guilty and was remanded Until Friday for sentence. DEBS FOUND GUILTY A. R. U. Leader Sentenced to Six Months for Contempt. MEANING OF THE SENTENCE Some Other Prominent Officials Indicted With film to Serve Three Months. Ce ssgo, Dec. 14.—\Guilty as charged\ was the finding announced today by Federal Judge Woods against President Eugene V. Debs, of the American Rail- way Union. The same finding was reached against the A. R. V. leaders on trial with Debs. Judge Woods' opinion overruling the claim of the defense that the injunc- tion against the A. R. U. leaders was in- valid on the ground that the court had no jurisdiction to determine the case in which the injunction was ordered, and that though possessed of such jur- isdiction, the court lacked organized power to make the order in question, was very long, and cited many authori- ties. DEES GETS SIX MONTHS. Debs was sentenced to six months in the county jail. The others were given three months each, except MacVean, who was released because there was no evi- dence against him. Judge Woods, after announcing the defendants guilty as charged, said it was not according with the procedure in such cases to permit defendants to say why sentence should not be passed, but in this case the court would allow it. DON'T MIND IT. The defendants did not appear partic- ularly crushed by their punishment Debs bowed his tall, gaunt form, and whispered a few words to his sister, who sat near, and they both laughed hearitly. Howard and Hogan exchanged smiling glances, and Keliher grasped his attorney's hand, and appeared to offer congratulations. It was evident that all expected much more severe sentences. Debs drew his people to one side, and instructed them to say noth- ing for publication, setting them the example by refusing to discuss the case at all. After the murmur of excitment over the sentence subsided, the court announced that the punishment was not to take effect for ten days, in which defendant's attorney will prepare an appeal. The prospective prisoners, after a short consultation with their at- torneys, left the court room. The defendants and their official po- sitions in the A. R. U., are: President Debs, Vice -President Howard, Secre- tary Keliher, Treasurer Rodgers and Directors Burns, Elliott, MacVean. Hogan and Goodwin. GOMPERS DENOUNCES IT. Denver, Dec. 14.—President Gompers said regarding the decision of Judge Woods in the Debs case: \I think it is contemptible for any judge to take from a citizen of the United States the right to trial by jury. If Debs is guilty of any criminal act, a jury of his peers should be allowed to say so. I denounce the action of any judge who shows him- self so eager to do the bidding of cor- porations.\ _ MINNESOTA LABOR FEDERATIONS. I antlers' Alliance V. ill Join in Today's cons cation. St. Paul, Minn., Dec. 15.—The annual convention of the Minnesota state Fed- eration of Labor will open tomorrow morning at St. Cloud with M. E. Murray presiding and a large number of del- egates from the various trade organ- izations of the state have arrived here and will go to St. Cloud in a body in the morning. The convention will be signalized by the presence of a large delegation from the Farmers' Alliance, which, although not affiliated with the body, have accepted the invitation in order that the farmers may meet with the laborers and mechanics and discuss the necessity of securing favora- ble legislation at the approaching ses- sion of the legislature and also har- monize any clhing of interests be- tween the three elements. Pelts Is Still Fighting. Chicago, Dec. 17.—At a conference this afternoon between President Debs and other A. R. U. officials and their attorneys it was decided to make three separate efforts to provide escape for the ex -strike leaders from the sentence of Judge Woods in the contempt cases last Friday. The attorneys will endeav- or to secure an appeal to the suprem court and a writ of errorand will also ap- ply for a writ of habeas corpus. It was believed by the American Railway Union peo•ple here that defendants' at- torneys would meet success in at least three of the attempts to stay execution of the sentences and the opinion was freely expressed that Debs and his asso- ciates would not go to jail. The proceeds of a sale at Chicago of ten carloads of cattle by Harvey & Tregloan of Shield river. Park county, netted $10,237.96. They received $1.60 per hundred weight for cows and $4,40 per hundred weight for steers.
