Desperate Deed: Ball Murder

October 12, 1908 in Drummond was the scene of a shooting that killed Fanny Ball “a sporting woman” also known as Mrs. Laura Fuller. The story goes that Thomas W. Howell a pioneer of the area, who was a widower aged 69, became enamored with Fanny about two years prior to the shooting. By “degrees” she obtained almost everything the man owned. After his money ran out she “induced” him to deed over to her several lots he owned in Drummond with the promise that they would build a house on the property and live “as happy as doves.” 

Fanny apparently bought some lumber and put it on the property to convince Howell she was serious and then as soon as he gave her the deed she sold the lumber and lots, converting the deal to cash and prepared to leave town. He became very obsessed with the situation and friends became concerned, telling Fanny to get out of his sight and leave Drummond. 

She did not leave fast enough and on the evening of October 12, Howell went to her apartment and boarding house located over the Headquarter’s Saloon and shot Fanny in the back of the head. No one downstairs heard the shooting and the first indication that something was wrong was when someone yelled “fire.” Mr. Bryan ran upstairs where he confronted Mr. Howell who said “I give myself up. I consider myself under arrest.” Bryan ignored Howell and ran past him looking for the fire. Then he came to Fanny’s room and saw through the open door her lying on the floor and he realized she had been shot int the back of her head. A crowd was quickly gathering and Bryan ran downstairs to contain the onlookers and Howell who was standing in the Saloon door. Bryan at once ordered a team and started with his prisoner to Philipsburg. Fanny lived but fifteen or twenty minutes after the shooting. 

Howell, born in England September 29, 1838, was an esteemed resident of Drummond and had lived there since 1872. The people who knew him well said he was the last man who would commit murder if in his right mind. He had two sons: nineteen and seventeen years of age. His wife had died in March of 1904 at the age of 45. Thomas had worked for years as the pump supervisor for the Northern Pacific Railroad on the division between Helena and Missoula. 

Tom’s mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Howell died January 16, 1899 at Drummond with her sons at the bedside. She was buried in the New Chicago cemetery. Born in London and a member of the Church of England, Mrs. Howell on January 2nd had celebrated her 81st birthday in the company of her sons “and though quite feeble owing to her ripe age she enjoyed good health.” Survivors were her seven children including three sons of Drummond- T.W., A.J. and C.J. Howell, all respected citizens of the county. 

Fanny Ball aka Laura M. Fuller came to Philipsburg in 1891, and moved to Drummond at an undisclosed date. She was about 38 years of age and considered thrifty so “accumulated a considerable amount of money.” Coroner Allison went to Drummond the next morning and after holding an inquest brought Fanny’s body to Philipsburg. Her brother was expected to travel to Philipsburg and accompany her body back east to Moline, Illinois. 

 Judge F. D. Sayrs arraigned Howell, the next morning and set a preliminary hearing for the following Thursday. George A. Maywood represented the prisoner. On December 4, Howell’s bail was fixed at $7,500. County Attorney W.E. Moore and Judge D.M. Durfee would conducted the prosecution. 

The March 12, Philipsburg Mail announced four days transpired while the selection of a jury was attempted. On the morning of the 12th the twelve man jury was finally filled with M.R. Stairs, Pat McGarvey, J.H. Morgan, G.A. Schoonover, Martin Senty, P.S. Carey, S.B. Clark, D. Daigle, W.E. Hunter, D.R. Murray, Fred Geiger and L.C. Degenhart. 

The March 19, Mail stated 

“On account of being insane, Thomas W. Howell of Drummond, charged with killing Mrs. Fannie Fuller, has been acquitted. The jury before whom the case was tried returned a verdict to that effect at one o’clock today…It now rests with the court what further action is to be taken.”

 Several physicians from out of town were being contacted as all the local M.D.’s were disqualified to determine the level of insanity. Natives of the area say the Mason’s were responsible for getting the insane verdict and transported Thomas to Warm Springs where he stayed a short time before coming back to the area. He died September 8, 1918 in Helena after a cerebral hemorrhage with burial at Forest Vale cemetery.