Old Missoula

Marcus Daly’s Nephew ‘Jimmie’ Shields Shot By Wife – “Has Been Pretty Wild”

One of the most highly publicized crimes in Missoula happened in 1900, when Mrs. James Shields (Ethel Duchemin) shot her husband on Higgins Avenue. While her husband did not die of his wounds, it nevertheless became sensational – mainly because James Shields was a nephew of the copper king Marcus Daly. James Shields’ mother was a sister of Mrs. Marcus Daly and was a resident of Anaconda, while Ethel Duchemin came from Bonner, Mt. Most of the concurrent reporting on the affair appears below. The overall effect of this reporting can only be called lurid, sensationalist and biased to a degree that in today’s society it would be ridiculed as bad tabloid journalism. Nevertheless, it was the fare of the day and provided an easily discovered record of the incident, though it obviously lacks objectivity. If Judge Webster and County Attorney Hall finally displayed unusual judgement in dismissing the charges, they should have been praised for it. That’s doubtful, but it’s a good thought.

Badly Wounded By His Wife.

Young Nephew of Marcus Daly Probably Fatally Shot.

Serious Outcome of Domestic Troubles.

Husband Found the Woman in a Variety Theater With Another Man.

Police Prevent His Killing the Couple, but the Quarrel Is Renewed the Next Day and a Pistol Is Used.

Special Dispatch to the “Chronicle.”

Butte (Mont.), December 8. – James Shields, a young nephew of the late Marcus Daly, the Montana copper king, was shot and probably fatally wounded by his wife at Missoula this morning. Shields is employed as a bookkeeper by a Missoula business house and has been pretty wild. He married a woman who was extremely obnoxious to his family, and when his father died about a year ago he was cut off in the will with $1.

Young Shields and his wife have for some time suspected each other, and yesterday she started for Bonner, ostensibly to visit her parents, but late at night Shields discovered her in a wineroom at the Gem Variety Theater in Missoula in the company of George Willet, a hack driver. Shields tried to kill the couple, but was prevented by the timely interference of the police.

Shields did not see his wife again until this morning. She had armed herself with a revolver and called him from his place of business. They created a scene in the street and then parted. Mrs. Shields walked some distance, and then, without turning around, fired two shots over her head in the direction of her husband. One bullet lodged in his spine and he is now in a critical condition. The woman was arrested. She claims that she went to the theater to watch her husband, whom she suspected of frequenting the place.

The above article appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle on December 9, 1900.

 

Marcus Daly’s Nephew – James Shields Shot By Wife – (“remarkable beauty and a stunning physique”)

Wife Shoots Young Husband

Disgraceful Domestic Affair Aired With Bullets.

Injured Man Will Recover

Marries Against His Parent’s Commands Is Cut Off With a Shilling – The Climax

James Shields, a well known young man of Missoula, is at the Sisters’ hospital recuperating from injuries caused by a pistol bullet penetrating his back so far as an inner muscular protection. Mrs. James Shields, his wife, is a prisoner at the county jail, caught red handed in the act of shooting her husband.

The facts as above related cover interesting and scandalous proceedings of a young couple in Missoula yesterday morning. The shooting occurred on Higgins avenue at the Cedar street crossing. The cause requires the recital of a series of domestic quarrels and infelicities of which it is natural one blames the other. The direct cause for the shooting affray as given by Mrs. Shields when seen by a representative of the Missoulian at the jail yesterday is as follows:

“I went yesterday to the home of my parents at Bonner, expecting to remain over until Saturday night. After reaching there I thought it for the best to return and watch my husband, who, I had been advised, was spending his time with women of questionable repute. On reaching Missoula, I satraed (sic) to locate him and learned he was at a Front street variety theatre. After securing company, I entered the resort. My husband came in and seeing me there he drew a revolver and threatened my life. Thinking better of the affair he replaced the gun in his pocket and left the theatre. I immediately went home, there to find the door locked and admission refused me. On going this morning to the store of A. M. Stevens & Co., where my husband is employed, for some explanation of his conduct, and, if it was his desire to separate, to arrange for the disposal of our furniture. He asked me to accompany him home. Being afraid to go with him up stairs to our rooms, as he requested, he became angry and started to return to the store. When at the corner of Higgins avenue and Cedar street he started to leave me without settling the matter of selling the furniture, I fired a revolver that I had borrowed, intending to frighten him into returning and settling our affairs. He paid no attention to the first shot and I fired again. The last shot struck him. Which I can swear is not what I had desired.”

The woman appeared much cast down in her cell and would not remove her wraps expecting some friends would call and secure her release. Pending an apparent outcome of Shields’ injuries no action was taken by the officers yesterday. Should the man recover, as is now considered probable, assault in the first degree is the charge that will probably be brought.

The shooting occurred about 9 o’clock in the forenoon. After the firing of the first shot Shields was seen to start to run across the street. The second shot struck him in the back but did not lessen his speed. Running down Higgins avenue he entered the office of Dr. Tremblay in the Higgins block. The doctor ordered him taken to the hospital. There the ball was easily located in a padding of muscles near the center of the back and was at once extracted; leaving no fear of a dangerous outcome.

Owing to the strict orders from the physicians no one was allowed to see the injured man yesterday and no statement of his side of the affair could be secured.

From friends of Shields about town it is said that for some time he has suspected his wife of infidelity and only awaited an opportunity such as was given last night to have actual proof of his suspicions.

The couple engaged in the disagreeable affair are well known young people of Missoula. Mrs. Shields is a daughter of F. Deuchmin [Duchemin] of Bonner. Shields was an Anaconda boy, coming to Missoula where he married only a trifle over a year ago. He is a son of the late James Shields, of Anaconda, who died recently, leaving a large estate. It is reported that the marriage of the son against expressed wishes of his parents caused him to be cut off in his father’s will.

The above article appeared The Missoulian on December 9, 1900.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348653888/

 

It Was In Wrong Hands

Jimmie Is The Boy Who Should Have Held The Gun.

Mrs. Shields’ Latest Escapade

An Early Morning Sensation on Missoula’s Erstwhile Quiet Streets – Shields Will Speedily Recover

The unfortunate domestic relations which for some time have existed between Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Shields, and which of late have acquired considerable publicity, culminated at an early hour this morning in the shooting of Shields by his wife, and which shots at this writing, promise to prove fatal. The affair occurred at about 8:30 o’clock, on Higgins avenue, in the vicinity of the Higgins block and a little south of A. M. Stevens & Co.’s store, where Mr. Shields is employed. Two shots were fired, one taking effect in the right leg, near the thigh, the other in the side, above the hip, penetrating the organs, and which latter wound may prove fatal.

Story of the Shooting.

From eye witnesses, and others familiar with all the incidents of the affair, the details of the shooting are given as follows:

The story antedates to about 12 o’clock last night, when the woman, in company with some of the men about town, visited the Gem theater, a resort which she has often surreptitiously frequented. Shields was apprised of her whereabouts and went to the Gem for the purpose of admonishing her to not come home, as he had concluded to bar her out, in the meanwhile accompanying the warning with a threat to shoot her. Shields there displayed a gun but made no effort to use it. He soon after left the premises and went to his home, reaching there at about 1 o’clock. Shortly afterwards the woman appeared at the house in company with Officer Larson, of whom she had sought protection, informing the officer that Jimmy had threatened to shoot her, and she was afraid to go home. Admission to the family home was denied her by her husband, whereupon she returned up town and secured a room at the Hotel Missoula. She registered and left an order to be called at 7 o’clock this morning. Her actions did not indicate anything out of the ordinary in her affairs, and she went to her room as quietly and unconcernedly as she had entered the premises. Neither was there any particular comment on the lateness of the hour in which she reached the hotel.

Then She Goes Gunning.

With blood in her eye, and a foggy atmosphere prevailing, the woman arose at 7 o’clock, and paying her bill and declining breakfast departed on her murderous mission. She evidently was aware of the hour that her husband would reach his place of work, for she met him at the Tietjen block corner where the two soon entered into conversation. In her hand, and partly hidden by her cape, she carried a revolver of large caliber, though at that time did not attempt to use it. Singular as it may appear, however, the two walked to the family home, several blocks away, the woman all the time carrying the gun in the same position as when first seen at the Tietjen corner. It is presumed they went there for the purpose of talking over matters, and where, probably, the woman, through her cunning and cupidity, might secure an advantage not to be obtained in a more public place. Be this as it may, nothing resulted from the visit to the house, and the pair were soon returning up the street and proceeding to Stevens’ store, where Shields prepared to go to work. There some more words transpired, the woman closing the conversation with the remark: “Well, Jimmy, what are you going to do about it?”

And She Still Had the Gun.

All the while the woman had the gun. At this remark Shields left the store, followed by the woman, both proceeding south towards the Higgins block. First Shields would be in the lead and then the woman, the two alternating in position until the block was reached and where the woman opened fire, the deadly missile striking as hereinbefore stated. Shields sought shelter in the block he being rapidly followed by the woman who would have again fired but for the timely presence of Under Sheriff Violette who disarmed her and escorted her to the county jail. Shields, yet able to walk, though greatly excited, sought a physician in the block who at once ordered him to the Sisters’ hospital where his wounds were dressed and where he is resting as easily as circumstances will permit.

The Parties Are Reticent.

Neither the man nor wife will say much about the affair. While being conveyed to the jail the woman told Officer Violette that the shooting was accidental, though at the jail she declined to give a reporter for this paper an audience. She appeared totally indifferent to all that had occurred and assumed that air of don’t-care-ativeness so noticeable in her general demeanor. Shields, also, when seen at the hospital, declined to make a statement and appeared surprised to know that the publication of the entire matter could not be suppressed. The woman will be held without bail or examination pending the result of her husband’s injuries.

The gun used by the woman is a vicious looking weapon. It is a 38-caliber, Iver-Johnson make and was procured early this morning from Meade’s second hand store under pretext that she and her husband wished to kill a dog on the north side of town that was annoying them.

Are Well Known Here.

The parties to the affair are well known in the city, Mr. Shields being bookkeeper for A. M. Stevens & Co. He came here from Anaconda about a year ago, and is the son of the late James Shields who died in the Smelter City last summer. His family connections are of the highest order, and report has it that he would now be a prominent heir to the estate of the late Marcus Daly, his uncle, but for his marriage to the woman in question, which was strenuously opposed by his relatives. His insane love for her, however, has made his infatuation so intense as to render him insensible to the many indignities and humiliations heaped upon him by a woman whose total disregard of marriage vows is something out of the ordinary. The woman is a native of this county, of French extraction, and before her dissipated career was considered as possessing remarkable beauty and a stunning physique. Her late escapades, however, have made her somewhat notorious, and expressions heard over the affair today were more of regret that the gun was not in the hands of the man instead of the woman.

Shields Will Recover.

As this paper goes to press it is learned that Mr. Shields’ wounds are not as serious as at first supposed, and that he will recover.

The above article appeared in the local Missoula paper the Daily Democrat-Messenger on December 8, 1900.

https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=lCh-sgrp-YMC&dat=19001208&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

 

No New Developments,

Nothing new has developed in connection with the Shields shooting scrape since its occurrence. Mr. Shields is resting easily at the Sisters’ hospital, and will probably be able to resume his duties the latter part of the week, as the wound is not a serious one, the ball, owing to the closeness of the parties when the shot was fired, only entering the flesh about two inches.

Mrs. Shields is still in jail, and was reported as being very ill last night, caused by nervous strain which she has undergone since Saturday morning. She is slightly improved today, however. Neither party will make any statement regarding the affair, and it is expected that a compromise will be effected between them if possible.

The above article appeared in The Daily Democrat-Messenger on December 10, 1900.

 

Story of the Shooting

James Shields Interviewed by a Standard Reporter

His Condition Improved

The Attack Was Cowardly and Evidently Premeditated – He Will Not Prosecute His Wife but the Authorities May Do So.

Missoula Dec. 9 – James Shields, the young man who was shot by his wife Saturday morning, and who is now in a room at the Sisters’ hospital is much improved to-day, and there appears to be every chance for his speedy recovery. His physician to-day allowed visitors in the room and the patient was glad to see his friends. A Standard reporter was admitted to the room and secured from Mr. Shields the following story of the trouble which led to the shooting:

“I was standing in my place of business about 10 o’clock in the evening talking to friends when another friend sent for me to come into the Gem theater. I at first hesitated, thinking that it was a josh, and decided not to go into the place. I remained in the place for some time when the man came in again and said what was wanted and that it was not a josh. I started for the place and went into the barroom and asked the bartender if he knew who it was who sent for me, but he replied that he did not know who it was. I remained in the room for a few minutes and was about to turn around to go out again, when it was suggested that perhaps I was wanted upstairs. I took heed of the suggestion and went on to the second floor, when a friend approached me and asked me if I knew where my wife was. I replied that she was at Bonner with her parents and would remain there for several days. My friend remarked that she was not out of the city, but in one of the boxes with a man. I was astonished at what was told me and would not believe it, as I was sure that my wife had gone away. My friend suggested that I go to our rooms and see if she was there and if she was not to come back to the theater. I went to the rooms in the Lombard block, where we lived, and found that my wife was not there. I returned to the theater and on my way down stopped into the office of the store where I am working and secured my revolver, believing that it was a game that some one was playing on me, and it was better to be armed in case anything should turn up. I returned to the theater and met my friend again, who said that he was sure my wife was in the place and described a certain box in which he was sure she entered. I went to the door and remained outside of it until I had prepared my revolver for action and then opened it. Sure enough there sat my wife talking to a man whom I recognized, and I could hardly believe then that it was her. After recovering myself I said to her, ‘If this is your game, you never need return to live with me,’ and walked out, never threatening to shoot her, as a local paper said that I did. I left the place convinced that my wife had been doing an injustice to me by carrying on in the manner I found her, and I decided to have nothing more to do with her. I went home and to bed and got up at the usual hour in the morning and went to work. I had just returned from the post office with the store mail and was in the act of reading a letter when my wife came in. I realize now that if I had not looked up when she came into the office, I would have been a dead man, for I believe she would have taken a shot at me if she could without me seeing her. She came in and we talked over matters for a few minutes, when I emphasized what I had told her in the Gem theater, that I would not live with her any longer. “What are we going to do with our furniture?” my wife asked, and I replied that we would sell it. She objected to me having anything to do with the selling of it, claiming it was her own. This kind of talk was carried on for several minutes, when I suggested that we go up to the rooms. She went as far as the bottom of the stairs that lead from the street, but objected going into the rooms. I went up for a minute and when I came down she was standing in front of Reilly’s store. I caught up with her and we engaged in conversation again. I started to return to my work, leaving her on the corner, saying at the same time to wait until the evening, when she would be more quiet, when we would settle the furniture business. I turned around and started off and no sooner had I left the street crossing when a bullet took off a few hairs from above my ear. I turned and received a bullet in my back. I went into a physician’s office and afterwards was sent here.”

“Are you going to prosecute your wife for attempting to take your life?”

“No, I would never prosecute any one, no matter how bad I am hurt. I intend to have protection for my life, however, and will take steps to have her sent from the state or put under bonds to keep the peace. I realize that my life is not worth a cent as long as the woman has her liberty.”

“It is reported that your wife went into the Gem theater to look for you, believing that you were in there with girls, and that you were a frequenter of the place?”

“I never went into the place very often, and only when I was invited to go in with a crowd of friends.”

Mrs. Shields is still confined in the bridal cell on the second floor of the jail. She has lost some of the self-control that has characterized her actions since the shooting, and is becoming nervous. She asked the jail attendants this morning to find out how her husband was getting along at the hospital, and when she was told that he was all right she became somewhat excited. She has been complaining of sickness part of the day, which is thought to be due from the awful strain that she has been under for the past 24 hours. Just what is going to be done in the case as to the prosecution of the woman is not as yet made public, but it is rumored that notwithstanding that her husband will not appear in the case the authorities will prosecute her.

The above article appeared in The Anaconda Standard on December 10, 1900.

https://newspaperarchive.com/anaconda-standard-dec-10-1900-p-12/

 

Hospital Notes

Many Patients Received Yesterday Including Several Badly Injured.

Within twenty-four hours prior to last evening an unusually large number of patients with severe injuries and ailments were received at the hospital. Nearly all of the patients who have been at the hospital are reported as improving with the exception of Mrs. George Wolett, who was recently admitted unconscious and in bad shape from a stroke of paralysis. It was given out yesterday that her condition was constantly growing more alarming and no hopes of her recovery were held by the physicians.

James Shields at the hospital yesterday indicated many symptoms of improvement and will without doubt be up and about within a few days. He was yesterday unwilling to make any statement of the trouble that led up to his being shot or what action he would take in prosecuting his wife.

“You see, I was shot,” he said, “and that’s all there is to it.” He appeared unusually well and his detention at the hospital will only be until the slight wounds made by the bullet entering a body of muscles heal.

The little son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Campbell who received a broken collar bone while playing foot ball is resting easily at the hospital and his injuries are rapidly healing.

The condition of David Polson, the well known rancher of the reservation who has been for several weeks at the hospital with a stomach disorder no improvement and it is feared he is gradually sinking. [Polson died on Dec. 11, 1900]

Architect A. J. Gibson is steadily improving from an attack of typhoid.

The above notice appeared in The Missoulian on December 10, 1900.

 

Mrs. Shields in Jail.

Mrs. Shields, the woman who took a prominent part in a shooting scrape here Saturday morning, was a sick woman for several hours in the county jail last night. This morning a physician was called, but his services were not needed, as she recovered sufficiently this afternoon to receive visitors in the jail office. Her mother came to see her and Attorney Dixon was called in. He will be retained by Mrs. Shields to take care of her case if it should get into the courts.

The above article appeared in The Anaconda Standard on December 11, 1900

https://newspaperarchive.com/anaconda-standard-dec-11-1900-p-16/

 

Complaint

Complaint was yesterday filed in Justice W. A. Houtchen’s court against Mrs. Ethel Shields for assault in the first degree, the date for her hearing has not as yet been set.

The above notice appeared in The Missoulian on December 12, 1900

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348653967/?terms=ethel%2Bshields

 

It’s Getting Interesting.

“What Will be Done With Mrs. Shields” is a Question Hard to Answer.

Just what will be done with Mrs. Shields, who shot her husband several days ago, is a question that the legal element of the city is discussing with considerable interest at the present time. A complaint has been filed against her by County Attorney Prince, charging her with assault in the first degree and which, should trial and conviction follow, will carry with it a heavy penalty, as it is attempted murder with malice aforethought. The husband of the woman is endeavoring to have the charge against her withdrawn, as he does not wish to prosecute the case, but it seems to be the intention of the county attorney, as it is certainly the wish of all who are familiar with the cause of the troublesome domestic relations of the couple which terminated in the shooting, to see that the woman gets her deserts.

Should the case be prosecuted without Mr. Shields’ consent, which it will probably have to be, it is claimed that he can be compelled to appear and testify against his will owing to the serious nature of the charge and the fact of the assault having been committed upon his person.

Considerable influence is being brought to bear upon County Attorney Prince to liberate the woman on her own recognizance, and let the charge hang over her for future use in case it becomes necessary to place restraint upon her in the future, and in return for this it is promised by those who are exerting their influence in this direction, that she will be sent to the “House of the Good Shepherd,” at Helena. This course is not satisfactory to the authorities here, as the inmates of this institution remain there of their own free will, and there is nothing to prevent them from leaving the place at pleasure except the moral influence surrounding them, and in view of the lady’s past naughty, naughty record, moral influence is not considered sufficiently strong to restrain her from leaving Helena and returning to Missoula for the purpose of taking another shot at her husband., whom she has twice assaulted with a shooting-iron. Mrs. Shields seems determined to kill her husband, and, in the opinion of the authorities, the only way to prevent it is to place her behind bars.

The above article appeared in The Daily Democrat-Messenger on December 13, 1900.

 

Out of the Hospital.

James Shields, the young man shot Saturday last by his wife, was yesterday permitted to leave the Sisters’ hospital, where he has been confined since the shooting with the wounds occasioned (sic). Mr. Shields expresses no fear of more trouble from the affair and will express no course that he will pursue in the prosecution of the woman.

The above article appeared in The Missoulian on December 14, 1900.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348654015/

 

City Cullings

Mrs. Ethel Shields, this afternoon, before Justice Houtchens, waived preliminary examination and put up $350 cash bond for her appearance before the district court at its next term. She was then liberated and left this afternoon for the home of her parents at Bonner, where she will reside in the meantime. The effort being made to send her to the Home of the Good Shepherd, at Helena, and in the meanwhile letting the charge hang over her as a guaranty of good conduct, is not meeting with much success, as the authorities seem desirous of punishing her as she deserves.

The above article appeared in The Daily Democrat-Messenger on December 19, 1900.

 

Mrs. Shields Free.

Released on a Cash Bond to Next Term of District Court.

Mrs. Ethel Shields appeared in the court of Justice Houtchens yesterday for examination into the charge against her of assault in the first degree for the act of shooting her husband in this city on Dec. 8. The prisoner was represented by Joseph M. Dixon, and County Attorney Denny for the prosecution. Without the formality of reading the complaint Attorney Dixon waived for the prisoner the examination and the court held her to the district court in a cash bond of $350. This was at once posted and the prisoner released from custody until the next term of court.

The above paragraph appeared in The Missoulian on December 20, 1900.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348654172/?terms=ethel%2Bshields

 

City Cullings

Mrs. James Shields departed yesterday for the west, so rumor has it, and will not stop this side of California. She was asked by an acquaintance if Spokane was her destination, and answered that she would go a good deal farther than that city. It is supposed that she has decided to forfeit her $350 cash bond which she put up several days ago, and disappear forever from the city in which she has led such an unsavory life.

The above notice appeared in The Daily Democrat-Messenger on December 21, 1900.

 

Purely Local

James Shields, bookkeeper at the grocery of A. M. Stevens & Co. has taken a six-weeks’ vacation from his duties, which time will be spent with relatives at Anaconda and Butte.

The above notice appeared in The Missoulian on February 4, 1901.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348655058/

 

Inharmonious Family

James Shield Brings Suit for Divorce from His Wife, Ethel.

The infelicity of the Shields family – James and Ethel – which resulted in a shooting affray in Missoula last December, is to be aired in the courts again. Mr. Shields has applied for a divorce from his recreant spouse in the courts of Deer Lodge county, alleging cruel and inhuman treatment as causes for the granting of a decree of absolute divorce. Sheriff Prescott yesterday received from Sheriff Conley at Anaconda, service of the complaint to be served on Mrs. Shield which was yesterday complied with by Sheriff Prescott, who found the object of his search staying with her parents at Bonner.

The story of the trouble of the Shields is well known to the people of Missoula. How the husband was shot in the back by his wife, following a quarrel during which the faithlessness of both was charged. At arraignment Mrs. Shields waived preliminary examination and was released on furnishing bail of $350 to appear and answer a charge of assault in the first degree. Shortly following the legal transactions, Mr. Shields left the city taking up his residence at Anaconda, where he now resides.

The above article appeared in The Missoulian on April 20, 1901.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/349005679/?terms=shields%2Bshooting

 

Mrs. Shieds (sic) Free.

Allowed to Plead Guilty to Assault She Was Fined $250.

For the offense of assault in the third degree Ethel Shields was, by Judge Webster of the district court, yesterday sentenced to pay a fine of $250 and the costs accrued to date in her prosecution; in default of which payment she should serve out the time in the county jail at the rate of $2 per day. She at once produced the necessary funds and was discharged from the case in which she was to be tried for the shooting of her husband, James Shields, in Missoula in early January.

The change in the charge was brought about by the consent of County Attorney Hall. He stated to the court that the complaining witness was in New York; that this witness had left the state twice to escape giving testimony, and had repeatedly asked that the matter be dropped.

The above article appeared in The Missoulian on June 1, 1901.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/349011751