A CHINAMAN HUNG FOR FUN

BUTTE, Feb. 28.—When the Old Timers’ club met in regular session this evening, there was an unusual number present of the men who made Butte. George W. Irvine assumed the chair and presided with his customary dignity and acumen.

General Warren arose with his usual modesty, blushed serenely, and said: “It was back in 1873, on the Fourth of July. Butte City at that time consisted of 60 souls, besides the Chinamen.

Dan Haffy and Tim Collins were lively Irishmen in those days and on July 4 they decided to celebrate the Declaration of Independence.

Just then a Chinaman came along.

‘Pard,’ said Haffy, ‘see yonder heathen!’

‘Let’s hang the heathen.’

They procured a rope and hanged the Chinaman, tied his hands, and started joyfully for town.

There wasn’t much public spirit and no particular interest in the lynching.

General Warren concluded: “The verdict said John, a Chinaman, came to his death by being left too long.”

Collins was eventually tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. He later told his cellmate, ‘I thought I had done a great service to humanity.’