100 years ago in Montana: Woman goes on trial in GOP county chairman’s slaying

From our archive, 100 years ago

Miss Edith Colby, a reporter charged with shooting down a Republican county chairman on the streets of Thompson Falls, Montana, appeared to be “pale and careworn” as her trial finally got underway.

Yet she seemed to be cheered by two developments on the first day of the trial. First, it was obvious her friends from Spokane were “rallying to her aid.” They had “tendered financial help” and many offered to testify as character witnesses on her behalf. Second, the judge ruled jurors who had conscientious scruples against the death penalty would not be disqualified. “Practically all” of the jurors said they were opposed to the death penalty.

In Montana, first-degree murder was punished by “hanging or life imprisonment.”

Colby’s attorney told prospective jurors the defendant would plead insanity.

In earlier accounts, she told police she had wanted to scare A.C. Thomas and “make him take back what he said.” She believed he had egregiously insulted her.

From the holdup beat: Two young men held up a general store in Opportunity – for the second time in two nights.

The first time, they held clerk Ray Hoppell, 24, at gunpoint and made him fill their vehicle with gas. This time, “they went through the same performance,” but they also marched Hoppell inside and selected an assortment of clothes.

This time, however, Hoppell got their license number. Police discovered the vehicle had been stolen from in front of the Spokane Club.

Police then spotted it in Coeur d’Alene and arrested two suspects. The stolen goods were found in the car.