MTTETON-L Archives
Archiver > MTTETON > 2006-07 > 1152842005
From:
Subject: William Long death 1895
Date: 13 Jul 2006 19:53:25 -0600
This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Surnames: Long
Classification: Death
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/IOB.2ACI/608.1
Message Board Post:
Here is the account in the "Montanian," a newspaper published in Choteau, Mont., in the 19th century. The account differs from the one you relate, it is embellished, which was typical of editors of the day, full of moral lessons, etc. Note that I found a reference to an "Ira Brown," on the Montana death index and if it is the same man, he died in 1925 in Lincoln County, Mont. Best wishes on your research.
BROWN, IRA : M : 65 : 26 Mar 1925 : Lin-365
With His Boots On.
So Died Bill Long at Shelby.
Shot a Policeman and Was Shot.
The Result of a Big Spree at WittmeirÕs Saloon at Sweet Grass.
The Shooting.
Shelby, Mont., Aug. 28, 1895.
State of Montana)
County of Teton)
--We, the coronerÕs jury empaneled to take the testimoney in the shooting and death of W.A. Long, by Ira Brown, do upon the evidence presented before us, say the said Long came to his death as the result of a gunshot wound from a gun in the hands of Ira Brown, and that such shooting was justifiable, being in self defense.
--J.R. Williams, Foreman; Edwin Hasbrouck, J.J. Miller, Dan Sullivan, Geo. Parsons, D.H. Simons.
Jacob Schmidt, Coroner.
--Such was in brief the story of the end of Bill Long, known for some years in this community, first, as a jolly good fellow; then, later, as a tough character out around the Blackfoot reservation.
--News of the shooting did not reach here until Monday, after Long had died at Shelby, when Coroner Smith [sic] received a telegram asking for his presence there. Mr. Smith left at once and held an inquest as above.
--The particulars of the shooting are as follows: On Saturday several of the men at the Middle Butte were on a spree at WittmeirÕs saloon, and later, either Saturday or Sunday, Long shot and wounded a mounted policeman by the name of Richardson. This part of LongÕs escapade did not develop at the inquest except that he was pursuing the policeman when he ran against Justice Brown and was rendered powerless of doing further harm.
--Brown was at the Christian BrosÕ ranch Sunday evening. Long came along with a gun and seeing one of the brothers watering a horse, demanded to know where Richardson was, thinking the horse to be his. He also wanted to know where Brown was, stating that he wanted to kill, also. On being assured that the policeman was not there, Long started to go on, but changed his mind and went to the house and demanded of the other brother the whereabouts of Brown and the policeman, pointing his gun the while at Christian. He then saw Brown sitting in the room near the back door and made a rush for him, exclaiming "ThereÕs the man IÕm looking for," or words to that effect. Brown saw him coming, gun in hand, and deeming his life in danger, seized a shot gun and fired, the shot taking effect in LongÕs breast. Long fell outside the door, and when approached, said: "I have got what I was looking for," and exonerated Brown for any blame in the matter. The shooting occurred!
between 8 and 9 oÕclock. Long was then taken to Shelby, where he died Monday morning.
--The policeman shot by Long was not seriously hurt, having received but a flesh wound in the thigh. Long had threatened several men and one man had been beaten over the head by him and threatened with death as soon as he (Long) could get a gun. The trouble between Long and Brown grew out of a board bill of LongÕs which Brown had stood good for at the hotel at Shelby. When the bill was due Long wanted the money paid to him and not the hotel keeper. This Brown would not do, and then Long threatened to kill him.
--Under-Sheriff Howells and Dr. Crutcher acting coroner from Choteau county were up from Fort Benton but there was nothing for them to do as Brown was acquitted of all responsibility in the matter. Dr. Crutcher, however, held an attorney and found the charge of bird shot had entered LongÕs breast and caused his death.
--The River Press [Fort Benton] speaking of the affair said: Bill Long, the dead man, had a bad reputation and was feared by the residents of the Hills. He had served a term in Deer Lodge penitentiary, and though he often worked in the Eclipse gulch mines he was known as a quarrelsome fellow who used his great strength to beat up some smaller man occasionally, and by way of diversion would now and then "shoot up" a store. It was more on account of Long than anything, else that a township was recently granted and officers appointed for the Sweet Grass region, it being so far from railroads and officers.
--Ira Brown, the justice of the peace who shot Long, is one of the most upright and law abiding citizens in Montana. He is a quiet, unpretentious man, but the facts demonstrate that he has plenty of nerve in the hour of need. He has a host of friends in Teton and Choteau counties who regret that he was drawn into the affair. [Transcribed from The Montanian. Aug. 30, 1895.]
This thread: