The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1871-12-23
SOME Words ON A CURRENT
TOPIC.

0Ou0 WeeAo 0lUCC II was IepOIV6O y Cnl"
nsman was hung At Henderson Gulch, by
sentence ola Peoples Court, there being
one majority in favor of hanging. In Sc.
Letting the Grand Jurors for the December
term Of Court, body of men were chosen,
of unexceptionable character and intelli-
gence, and of the best of our citizens. There
has not been better Jury empanneled in
the District. In giving them their charge,
Judge Knowles particularly instructed .
rigid investigation Of the facts of that case.
It was the first execution that had trans.
pired in his jurisdiction; and he wished it
tn be tine last. 1t was crime. and he de.
sired to see the perpetrators punished. The
Grand Jury esteemed Judge Knowles a. a
thoroughly honest, conscientious and Just
man, and among them were his warm per.
sonal friends. When the Graud Jury re-.
ported, there was no indictment in the
case. and they stated that they had been
unable 10 obtain any clue to the facts.
He dismissed them with the same remarks
that We believe be would have used had his
father been Of the Jury, but IN terms that
we did think and do think he should not
have used. Of his conscientiousness in the
matter we have no doubt whatever. 1t was
an unhappy occurrence, and the community
and press, esteeming Judge and Jury, by
common consent desired it should not be
ag'tated, as no good could ensuc.
Just at this inopportune moment an inter.
meddling Paul Pry, correspondent of the
Herald, who writes from Deer Lodge over
the name of stafford" and as assidionsly
conceals his identity as midnight assassin
would, conceiving he had dropped on some.
thing the Independent and NORTH WEST
had not heard, bolted into print with an
account of the affair - unjust to Judge
Knowles and disparaging to the Jury. 1t
naturally stung the jurors to the quick to
be placed before the community in that light,
and we are satisfied no ,ne will more hearts
lily deprecate the action than Judge Knowles.
Seeing he had put his foot in it. ''Strafford''
day or two since indicted another letter to
the Herald turning himself inside out to
show the Jury how Immediately pure his
heart is, and having by his sycophantic and
unjust tattling irritatcd them. he in turn
disguised them by fawnlng condescension,
and twaddle about the Legitimate subjects
of newspapers"
In the meantime the Independent took
cognizance of the subject and last week de-
voted an article to "Strafford." We ask the
Independent how it rec0nciles the apathet.
ic indifference it has shown in all illusions
to the alleged hanging in Henderson, with
its fierce and long columncd denunciation
of citizens of Helena for hanging man in
Helena year or more ago? It had no words
too severe for them: It has none too mild
in speaking OF the affair at Henderson. If
it was opposed on principle to Vigilante
executions in Helena, why hesitate to con.
denim them in Deer Lodge? The law that
docs not protect the lowest as well Us high.
est is fraud, and the principle that is good
only when it applies to remote persons or
places 10 unsound. We do not believe in
Vigilante executions when the law can be
sustained and inforced. We know Judge
Knowles opposes it. and the several members
of the Jury with whom we have conversed
entertain the same views. The sentiment OF
the community is opposed to it, and it is
right it should be. If, therefore, the lnde
pendent seeks to be just, let It express its
condemnation of the midnight execution.
and executioners, before criticising 1.-THE ex.
cessive zeal of certain radicals in this com.
munity." or else explain why there is 90
much difference of guilt between a PEG.
pies Court stringing up man in Helena,
and another man in Henderson.