Helena weekly herald., 1878-09-26
The Willow Creek Murder.


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The WILLOW Creek MURDER.
The Courier gives the following particulars
of the atrocious murder on Willow creek,
brief account of which was published IN tne
HERALD several days ago: 'Michael Foley
the nerpetrator of the crime, was arrested
several weeks ago for making threats OF per-
eonal violence against w. E. Fredericks, of
Willow creek Mills, and others, had on ex-
animation before Judge Duke, was bound
over in the sum of one thousand dollars to
keep the peace, and in default of furnish
ing bonds to that amount, was committed to
iail. He succeeded, however, in making his
escape about three weeks ago and has been
large ever since, although diligent search and
the most strenuous efforts have been made
for his re-arrest and confinement. On Sun
day evening last he turned up at Willow
creek. entered the residence of MIR. Fredrlcks,
armed and equipped for his feDdish work
met Mrs. Fredericks and made threatening
demand for money he claimed was due him.
Mrs. Fredericks called for her husband, who,
it appears, was in an adjoining room. Mr.
Fredericks, apparently comprehending the
situation. armed himself and rushed into the
presence of Foley, when they almost slmul-
taneously fired and both fell. Foley, how
ever. was on his feet again almost instantly
and, falling upon his victim, finished his
bloody work with butcher knife, and then
succeeded in making his escape. w. E
Fyedericks was an old-time Montanian. He
came to the Territory in 1854; settled near
Bozeman, and erected the first sawmill in
Gallatin county. After operating his saw
mill year or two, he sold out and
located at Gallatin city where he erected the
Touring mills known as the Madison mills.
In this enterprise he became somewhat tlnan-
cially involved and finally lost his entire in
terest and claim to the property, as many
assert and believe, by very unfair and unjust
means. After this his family resided in Hell
ena, while he engaged in the sawmill business
on the Upper Gallatin. In 1878 he removed
to Willow creek, fitted up and run the flour
ing mills there, where he was residing, and
in which business he was engaged at the time
of his sad and eventful DEATH
LATER.
From Judge Mcpherson, who returned
from Willow creek on Tuesday night, where
he had been called to hold an inquest on the
body of w. E. Fredericks, welearn that no
knife was used by Foley, that he shot Fred
ericks with needle gun;that Fredericks must
have discharged two shots from his revolver
at Foley, and that, after the shooting, closed
in upon his antagonist, threw him down,
wrested his gun from, and broke it over him,
and, strange to say, did not succeed in killing
him before he himself fell from sheer ex-
haustion; but the strangest part OF the story
is to the effect that Ben. Wells was present
during the entire deadly encounter, with
Winchester rifle in the house within reach,
and vet failed to interfere or render the least
assistance during the fatal struggle. We are
informed that Wells is utterly unable to give
any rational explanation for his strange con-
duct, but it is supposed he was so overcome
by surprise and horror that he was rendered
incapable of any effort on Fredericks' behalf.
SELF-GOvERNMENT OF THE TEh'
RITORlES.
Judge Kidder, Delegate from Dakota, in
terviewed by the Washington Post, thus ex-
presses himself upon matter important to
all the Territories: