The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1870-05-06
kl(l1lE @S1 ER3rIoN

C1UD OUT uSJeu0 exC0au& pa peIsOnf'
inforlpetion VI conIense md arrange ~
account of dsndi.hs crime, and the swift
retribaaion which bss been ths excitemen
of Helena for the past few days.
On April eth an old German nsmet
; Geo. Lenhart, living on the Missouri rivel
near Beaver Creek, was in Helena partially
intoxicatcd. He talked of buying mower
and in his cups indiscreetly showed consid
cradle money. lie was noticed bytwo men
named Joseph Wilson and Arthur L
Compton. One remarked to the other that
''he had lots Of money" .'That does u,
us no good" LET US go for it," y';How p
Rob him" Tho bargain Was struck.
Lenhart: left without purchasing. They
saw him start; went over to Kingsbury's;
hired two horses 10 take ride-proffering
an order on = responsible man on Rodney
street. Kinssbury gave them horses, and
they started sitter .Lcnhart. Kingsbury
surmised they were running off, followed
and overlook them; inquired If they had
seen q stray horse; was better satisfied from,
their direction, and returned. About dusk
they overlook Leshart One struck at him
with slung shot, Lcnhart put spurs 10 his
horse and outran one; tho other following
close and firing several shots from his re-
volver, one of which struck Lenhart and
caused him to slack up. The other then
rode up and shot him again, in the thigh.
shattcring it terribly. He fell from the
horse and feigncd death. They robbed him
Of 1886. returned to town and paid their
livery bill The next morning Lenhart was
found nearly dead. Sheriff Steel was in
formed, and Immediately working mp the
case arrested Nelson and Compton-one of
whom was identified by Lenhsrt They
were placed in jail citizens meeting was
called in the evening and was attended en-
nsasss, but adjourned until 10a m. satur-
day. Addresses wero made by Hon. H. II.
English, Judge Lawrence, Judge Symes,
John 3. Shober and !otherA "A jury of
good, citizens was chosen to try the
prisoners. Judge Symes spoke against the
proceedings, but hal no support. Some
1000 or 5000 persons were present, md all
determined that If found guilty the men
should be hung. They were found guilty.
A committee waited upon the Sheriff, dc.
manded and took the prisoners. They had
made full confession, and told where the
money was buried, which was found as
confessed. At 5p. m. they were taken to
the Pine Tree and hanged in presence of
5000 people. -f' a.. o..
It is stated they had two accompliccs-
one named VIM. Adams, the other Dick
Clinten-all were messmates. Clinton was
to prove an a9toi swearing they played cards
ut his cabin while absent. Adams duties
We did not learn. Both left town when the
parties were arrested. weakening on their
business. Deputy Steele, r. J. Lowry,
and Theodore Shed started in pursuit, and
arrested Adams on Monday evening near
Thomas Newman's, on the Missoula road. \
He was brought to Deer lodge Tuesday
night and taken 70 Helena on Wednesday. j
Clinton was at Gold Greek last Sunday, but
has not yet been caught 81 !HG 9a-'
The sentiment in Deer Lodge Is di.
yided on the matter Of apopular Court.
There is . strnne feeling m the wost side
sgaiust &Vigilants executions. It IS be.
lieved the Courts arc competent to admin
lister justice, and should be sustained.
Yet in this instance, and in the manner it
was conducted, tho people Of Helena were
right. Lenhart was not dead at last &C.
last accounts. If he survives no Court
could sentence these men to capital punish.
ment Yet. in purpose and perpetrasion it
was cold bloodcd, prcmeditated, damning
murder, II he did not die, they intended
lie should. The intent and tho shots meant
murder, Helena. has been the scene of
much outlawry of late. Shooting, cutting
and tlieving have become too, common.
The town was drifting back 70 the diabol-
ism Of Bannack and Virginia in O. Life
and property were insecure, and with .
heavy influx Of roughs as well as honest
people it was deemed necessary to check |
the rampage Of crime. The prcmcditatcd
and attempted murder of an old man for
$500 or e40o inspired determination to
visit retribution upon the guilty ones and
they did il in the light of day, in the pres
&
cnce and by the voice Of 1000 people The
men were probably useless and certainly
dangerous to society, one Or two Of them
old Jail birds, and gravely suspected of
having killed the unknown man near Helc. |
m three weeks since. We deprccate mid
night trials and executions by unknown
parties, but If, 10 the. manner stated, for as
crime, Two confirmed criminals
expiase their offenses BY the verdict Of sn
entire community, thereby inspiring terror |
in the hearts of evil doors, and securing
the law abiding, the deed Is not to be dc |
plorcd OK the method hastily criticised.
r1Iaa FROM SILVER BOW. aa
81 usyI y0.g5.,, A. ro1rsy x,s Etsr.I i
TO RIM EDtfos NEw NoRTa-wfsr: $'"': "7s' i