The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-06-28
the CIRCUS RACKET.
Uudersherif Lane Mak.s an Ex-
PLANTATION.

Editor Butte MINER:
My attention has been called to an article in the
daily MINER Of the 24th inst, under the head of
s'The Circus Racket" which does me an injus-
tice and which is calculated to do me an injustice
among the people Of the Territory where | am
not known. The article does not state all the
facts, and is calculated to convey the impression
that l deliberately turned loose a lot of men
that 1 knew were accused of grave offences.
The facts In the case are as follows: On Fri
day night, June Goth, 1854, Sheriff Berry and
Deputy Sheriff Arthur arrived here from
Thompson Falls with four men that they had
arrested at the latter place IN a telegram from
II. c. Bodley, under sheriff of Silver Bow Coun-
ty. I received the men and placed them in
Jail. and Berry and Arthur took the 4 o'clock
train next morning for Thompson Falls again.
Early on Saturday morning. the four men,
named bob Woodward, Kid Waddell, Eugene
Ellis and job Hickey, employed counsel for the
purpose of being released from Jail, claiming
that l had no warrant against them, and that
no charge had been made against, nor had they
been informed for what they were arrested.
The telegram from Bodley upon which they
had been arrested did not state the charge
made againt them. The telegram simply said
arrest them and take to Missoula, all sure thing
men, and giving a description OF them. | could
not tell them upon what charge they were ar
rested because l did not know. Their attorneys
agreed that 1 could not legally hold them unless
l had some charges against them and demand
ed their release. In order to gain time / put
them off for a few hours and telegraphed to Mr..
Bodley to furnish ME with sufficient facts to Gil
able me to make Il proper complaint, and In
order to get this information l continued to
hold them until about 3 o'clock p. III when not
hearing from him and being unable to prefer
any charges against them, and being satisfied
that 1 could not legally hold them any longer,
to a prosecution tor false imprisonment
/ released them but did so with great
reluctance. 1 consulted our regular
who has been sheriff Berry's
adviser ever since he has been in Office, and
was by him advised that I might hold them by
force, but than could not legally do so under
the circumstances.
1 never receiv: d a telegram from Sheriff IT.
vim telling me to hold the prisoners at all haz-
ards. I received only one from him and it was
received soon after the prisoners were released
and in it lie said. Hold the prisoners. Bodley
will be down tonight or words to that effect.
Now, had Mr.. Bodley, when he sent his first
telegram stated sufficient fac's to have enabled
an officer here to have sVorn out 4 warrant, it
would nave peel done and the men held, or
hai he answered the telegram that l sent him
to Garrison requesting the same information bis
men would have been held for him: If the Of
fcers Of Silver Bow county have failed to get
their men, they themselves are to blame for not
furnishing the necessary information. l did
everything in the matter that l felt justified in
doing under the law.
Ihave been the under sheriff and deputy
sheriff under Sheriff Berry ever since he has
been in Office, and l have always endeavored to
assist other Ulcers in the arrest of criminals
whenever l could, and no one has ever had
cause to complain, and had proper information
been furnished me in reference to the men ar.
re-ted 10 cause of complaint could have been
found. at this time.
You having published the article rejecting
me. ! ask as q matter OF Justice that you pub
lish this. in order that the public may soc where
the blame should lie.
Yours respectful ly,
ROB'T. l.. LANE,
Under Sheriff of Missoula County.