Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1876-08-11
CROW AGENCY SUPPLIES
Mr.. Story's Reply to Captain
Balls Report.

III our last issue W0 puOIiSu0u NePso''
Balls report, as Inspector of Indian sup
niles at the Cro~ Agency. 10 the Conf
missioner of Indian Affairs and Mr..
Story's reply to the same. In his report,
Capt. Ball makes serious charges against
Mr.. Story, and the latter denies in toto
the seversl charges made by that officer
Viewing the matter from an unprejudiced
standpoint, the fact cannot be overlooked
that Mr.. Story presents plausible grounds
for the belief that his statements in the
premises are worthy of belief.
Since the publication Of these docu-
ments some of the friends of Mr.. Story cir
culated paper certifying to his character
for integrity, strict business habits and
social standing in the community. We
have not seen the document, but under
stand 1T was universally signed by ot'r
people, who have known and had bust
ness relations with Mr.. Story for twelve
years or more. It seems that the friends
of Capt. Ball, misconstruing the purport
of this simple endorsement of Mr.. Story
by his old neigEbors, and regarding 1t as
a reflection on the character of Captain
Ball, got up the following card, which
app. arcd in the Helena Herald of the 9Th
inst:
A CARD.
We. the undersigned citizens OF Gallatin
county. Montana Territory, believing that
attempts have been and are being made
here and in the city of Washington, to
impeach the testimony and ruin the char
ac,er of Capt. Ed. Ball, Second U. s.
Cavalry. now absent III the Sioux country
with his company, do hereby certify that
said Captain Ball is well known TO us, and
we do believe him to be a gentleman of
truth and honesty. and an officer who has
ever discharged his duties without fear.
favor, or affection.
1t is signed by nearly one hundred
Of this town and county.
Personally. we know Of nothing 10 the
discredit Of Captain Ball as an officer and
a gentleman Of honest purpose. This is
ar issue between him and Mr.. Story. The
former in the capacity of Government
officer has made the most serious charges
against the latter as contractor in furnish
ing Indian supplies for the Grow Agency.
Mr. Story. in vindicatlng himself against
these charges has used DO underhand
means. He is not the man to resort to
such means. He denounced the report as
false as soon as he was Informed of its
character, both publicly and to Captain
Ball. His reply to the latter's REPORT is
addressed to the Commissioner OF Indian
Affairs. He appears in Washington as q
citizen and comparative stranger, and we
cannot comprehend upon what grounds
the friends of Capt. Ball can claim that
his character is jeopardized by the en-
dorsement of Mr.. Story as an upright.
honest citizen by those who have known
him only as such.
As fact having a significant bearing
on this subject, we will state that Captain
Balls report was put in as evidence be
fore the U. s. Grand Jury at the last
term of the Dis trict Court at Virginia
City, which was investigating the report
ed charges of fraud in furnishing supplies
for the Grow Agency, as we'll IS the tes-
timony OF Mr., Carr and other witnesses,
and the jury did not consider the evidence
Of Z suficient character upon which to
base presentment.
Mr.. STORY has been known to the peo-
ple of Montana since its first settlement
as one of her most enterprising citizens
a business man Of strict integrity, whose
foresight and correct judgment has been
rewarded with success in the varied EN-
which he has been engaged.
A man of his character, dealing with all
classes of men. is sure to have personal
enemies.
With these remarks we submit both
sides of the question to the judgment OF
4 discriminating public.