The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1881-01-28
z. I. Bonner b Co.
In Defense OF Our Friends.

Editor New Northwest:
Last evening my attention was called to
an article In the Daily Butte Miner OF the
10Th inst. throwing discredit upon the petit
ton of settlers of the Upper Deer Lodge val
lev. recently circulated and signed, and pub
lished in your last issue.
On several occasions since the last election
| was called upon by residents OF the
Upper Valley who expressed themselves
as anxious to remain In Deer Lodge county
in case of division, and who requested me 10
advise them promptly If any action ON their
mart should become necessary. They repre-
sented to me that a very large majority OF the
"a, mers and ranchmen did not want to 20
with the proposed new county. Among
those who spoke to me on the subject were
James X. Perdee, James l.. Goodwin ana
Norman Evans, and am sure there were sew
eral others. Accordingly, when ADVISED OF
the line ofdvision proposed in Mr.. DeWolfe's
bill. | drew up and forwarded to the Upper
Valley the Petition which was signed ana
returned 10 me few days afterward. i made
a careful copy Of Petition and signatures Tor
YOUR paper aud Immediately forwarded tine
original TO Helena, where II now is.
Ibelieye the Petition was circulated in
perfect fairness and good faith; that those
who signed understood it, and lhat
II fairly and honestly represents the sen'l-
ment of the Upper Valley in regard to dlVls-
ion. The Petition WIS circulated by james
T.. Goodwin. Peter lessen and Morgan Evans
All of these men are substantial citizens and
are well known. II is broadly intimated IN
the Miner that Mr.. Goodwin was guilty oil
gross misrepresenta alton and deceit. No man
in Deer Lodge county sustains higher rep
utation than Mr.. Goodwin, and do not be-
lieve one word Of what the Miner charges on
the authority, or pretended autnurrry, or
correspondent whose name is carefully WIN
, held. and who is either myth, dupe, Oh
n worse. | saw Mr.. Goodwin yesterday ana IN
e maintains, as he always has, that the littl'
j. community, of which he forms part,
l. overwhelmingly in favor Of remaining IN tn
y old county.
The Miner publishes two lists OF names
:, not stating when or how they were procured
"a hut epdeayoring 10 convey the idea that
is the names in both lists are favorable 10 u
"A claims of the Butte divsionists, and the In
err thew propose. In the first list occurs u
Id name of Morgan Evans, former Couh'
Commissioner of Deer Lodge county, al
perbaps better known than any citizen
the Upper Valley.
Jog There has been no opportunity to he
from all or any considerable part Of the pc
nile In the disputed territory" but l Il
morning received the following telegrs
from Mr.. Evans, who happened to be in But
ACCOMPANIED with a request to publish
Dis same. The language is plain:
BUTTE, Jan. 20, 1881
To O. B. O'Bdnnon:
L did not sign the Petition In favor OF
vision which appears In the Miner.
county Is divided wish to remain IN "
Iodge county. have no doubt that
other names in Miner Petition are forg
lie INV own. MORGAN EVANS
NJ. have just received information that
Il n sideration of the Division Bill has been p'
kso poned In the Assembly until Monday al
'o,t. noon. There is still time for the signer
let the Petition which you published to be he
nig once more before any final action is tai
an. ans and hope they aud all interested VIII sp
'' out without delay.
-, feel bound to believe that the Miner
am, either been guilty Of disreputable piec
iva, journalism I'm this matter Of division, or
: he has been imposed upon and grossly decei
mar In Justice to itself 1t should publish all
ABR information IL has. Who Is the well KIN
SOM granger of the yalley?" How were the
at OF of names procured. which It published,
anu 10 what petition, remonstrance or "headI
." n any. were these names appended9
.,,, all the facts and let us have fair fight.
many NO man IN inc 'o"ao a..
favor of division Of this county than
with me II is only . question OF line
ceding the right of the people Of Butte
have felt bound TO concede the right
endid people of the valley to stay, and TO nc
q mu- keep them with us. II is barely posi-
, par Ao'p =, .ha f.ct. and n /
"a ,ha want to know IL. Convince me that
soc;al ,ority of the people Of the Upper Y
n. In want TO 60 into "oiiver DOW eou"'y'
'posed IAN be relied upon as an advocate anu
ening, ,orter of House Bill No. 8 without char
cd as inc. There are very many here who
d rea- ,h me and the valley people sho,
idence -. a.. ,n.,,er bevond misunder
tent in Ths,a 10 time enoup
ibtless NE - " on o,pASr
,asant. NO tine " 'o'' o. 100,
Deer Lodge, NJ. T., Jan. ", 1851.