The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1884-03-05
KILLED BY INDIANS.
William Jones, a Well Known
Citizen of this County, Muir
derod on Arrow Creek.
Bill Gillam's Narrow Escape From g.
Similar Fate.
Cattle Killing Red Devils the Perpetrators
of the Deed.
From Saturdays Daily

From Saturdays Daily
Fort Benton was not a little excited
on Friday when a courier brought in the
information that William M. Jones, a
well known citizen of Choteau county,
had been killed by Indians on Arrow
creek. 1t was rather startling piece of
news, as it is now three Or four years
since an outrage of this kind has taken
place in the county, and our people had
about made up their minds that the end
had come. Yesterdays report, however,
was a reminder Of old times, when such
things were common, and the tragedy
was the general subject of conversation.
The news was brought in the city by
w. S. Bryant, an employe of A. w.
Kingsbury, who arrived in town short
time before noon, and from whom a
RIVER PRESS representative obtained
the following statement of facts
THE PARTICULARS.
VIM. Jones and Joe Morris have been
employed during the winter as range
riders by the Shonkin- stock association,
their head quarters being on Arrow
creek, about ten miles below the cross
ing at John La Motifs place, and per-
haps six or seven miles above the mouth
of Arrow creek. Here they had a cabin
and have worked in this section during
the winter keeping cattle out of the bot
TOMS On Wednesday, Bill Gillian
rode over from Lepley's ranch to this
cabin to see how the boys were getting
along. When he got to within about
two miles of the cabin he saw three men
in coulee some distance away, but as
it was showing hard, he could not tell
whether they were Indians or whites,
and not wishing to investigate the sub
iect alone, he rode on to the cabin as
fast as he could, and informed Jones
and Morris Of what he had seen, ex-
pressing his belief that they were In
dams. Jones was in favor of finding
out at once who the intruders were. He
saddled his horse, and Gillian securing
fresh animal, they took their guns
and started on the search. Arriving at
the coulee in question-it must have
been about sundown-they saw ahead
of them three Indians with four horses,
who at once cached themselves some
where in the head of the cOulee. Before
the pursuers had gone many steps fur
ther they came upon a cow that had
been killed and skinned, and some OF
the meat carried away. At this point
Gillian suggested that it would be haz-
ardous to go farther, as the Indians, be-
ing hid, could easily kill them. But
Jones was for proceeding at all hazards.
While they were talking about the mat
ter, the Indians opened fire on them
the second. shot. .sOh-!' was the only ex-
clamation he uttered. He fell on his
face, and never moved afterwards. Gil
lam spoke to him, but receiving no an
swer, he put spurs to his horse and re-
treated, followed by the Indians fire,
the bullets making not very pleasant
music about his ears. Jones horse fol-
lowed, and one of the Indians, bolder
than the rest, struck out in pursuit, IN
tending, doubtless, to head off the ami
NAL without rider but in this he was
unsuccessful. Gillian and the horse
reached the cabin in safety. 1t was con-
cluded that it would not be safe to ven
ture out again that night, but the next
morning Gillian and Morris rode over
to Kingsbury's and informed them OF
what had happened. Our Informant
was then dispatched to Miner & Board
mans ranch, and on to this city with
the news.
AFTER THE INDIANS.
On Thursday, as soon as the facts
were learned, a party. composed OF Iom
Martin, Gillian, Morris and others, LEFT
Lepley's for the scene of the tragedy, to
secure Jones' body and at the same time
follow the Indians, and, If possible,
avenge the death Of their comrade. 1t
is not likely, however, that they will be
able to effect anything, as the murderers
had too much the start of them, and no
long pursuit was contemplated. Yester-
day j. M. Boardman left his ranch for
Arrow creek with wagon, and will
bring the body to this city for inter-
ment.
THE DECEASED
had been in the employ of the Nee
brothers the past two ar three years, rep
resenting their cattle herd on the Shon-
kin range, but this winter had been en-
ployed by the association as stated above.
He was an old timer in this section,
having been in the employ of the Dia-
mond r company a long time as wagon
master, and afterwards filled the same
position for T. G. Power & Bro. He was
man of the strictest honor and integ-
rity, and was esteemed by all who knew
him for his good traits. His watchdog
fidelity when responsible trust was
reposed in him was well known, and
his zeal IN seeking to protect the rights