CHILDS, JAMES L., JR.

BOZEMAN (AP)—James Luther Childs, 43, a logging contractor, was shot to death Saturday morning [March 21, 1964] at his Belgrade home following a family argument, Sheriff Con McClurg Jr. said.

His son, David Owen Childs, 16, was held on a juvenile court order of confinement issued by Dist. Judge W. W. Lessley, pending further investigation.

“Death, caused by a gunshot wound through the left chest, was almost instantaneous,” coroner Alexander Small said. “The bullet was fired from a .22 caliber rifle.”

“Childs, his wife, Mildred, and two sons, David and James L., 21, were in the home, located at the rear of a lumber company, at the time of the shooting,” McClurg said.

A coroner’s jury was sworn in Saturday morning but no time was set for an inquest.

Childs, a logging contractor who was working in the Maudlow area, north of Belgrade, and his family, had lived in the Belgrade area about nine months. The family had previously lived in the Manhattan and Helena area, the sheriff said.

Childs was born March 1, 1921 at Belzoni, Miss., a son of Mr. and Mrs. James Childs Sr. He served with the Marines in the Pacific during World War II.

Survivors include a third son, Robert M. Childs, 18, stationed at Travis Air Force Base, Calif.; his father in Farmersville, Calif.; six brothers, two sisters and a number of nieces and nephews.

Historian’s note: The youth shot his father when the elder Childs started beating the boy’s mother because the breakfast toast was burned. He was eventually acquitted of second-degree murder.