Fergus County argus., 1886-09-30

Minnesotas Big cties.-.Politics d the Stale, ETC.
tEDIToRfAL coRRE.roSDEScE.I
Leaving Lcwistown on the 3rd ul,. we
arrived in Billings on the afternoon Of the
lth, where we remained visiting friends
until Sunday evening. Billings continues to
improve from year to year. The business
portion of the town is now composed prin-
cipally Of substantial two and three story
brick blocks. Its merchants report busi-
ness unusually good for this season and
improving as the years roll by. We spent
pleasant day with old friends who took
ments and marks Of prosperity on every
hand.
At 7:15 p. M, Sunday the 5th, We board
sd the Northern Pacific Atlantic express.
secured our quarters in one of the elegant
Pullman ears the Northern Pacific runs
ON all trains, and in a few minutes were
speeding over the road at "a two minute
gait. Our train was composed of fifteen
coaches, every one Of which was filled with
passengers, representing all stations ia life,
from the poor and tired emigrant seeking
n home ia Montana "r Dakota in prefer
cncc To the Pacific coast states and terri
tories, to the gentlemen Of leisure, excur-
sionsts and capitalists returning from
the National Park, the q. A. X. encamp-
ment recently held in San Francisco, etc.,
while others were travelling merely to see
the country.
In travelling 10y rail one forms acuuaint-
anccs, comparatively speaking within a
lev minutes, who prove mos, agreeable
cDmpanions, possess II liberal fund Of
general knowledge Of the country
such knowledge for information one can
give them Of the country from which he
halls. At least such has ever been our ex-
periencc. On this trip il was our good for
tune to meet gentlemen from the four car
dinal points, and although we were KEEP,
comparatively busy in replyin. to their nu-
mcrous questions regarding ,1ontana, We
gained considerable. informant on regarding
the portions Of the United States ia which
they reside.
formed the acquaintance Of Pslcs Me- um-
ber of Rhode Island, assistant adjutant
general Of the q. \. r., II gentleman Of un-
common ability and most aiiahle nanncrs
Learning where We were from, H. informed
us that there was man In tie smoking
taken to Miles city to be tried for murder
committed in the Sweet Grass Hills We
instantly thought oi Frank Nciartlan.
asked him il that was the naMs and being
answered in the affirmative passed for
ward with Mr.. Met onber tpsce the old
boy whom everyone in Fergus county Is in
'ersted in and hope he na. be able to
make a plea Of self defense win.
AZ we entered the smoker" Pony was
walking down the aisle coming to-
ward us; he instantly recognized us aud
extending hi. hand with his Old time jovi-
atty, his lace beamiag with Joy, said.
Pen, old boy, here we are again. "
"lcs, Pony, we are here, but thosc
bracelets and -hacklos don't luol. a,
Though you were here Of your ,rn desire.
lit down aud tell Us all you c,n consist
entity about the murder uf whdi you arr
accused. What did the discus ion az To-
tine state Of Rhode leland have to- do
with IL"
In a conversation Of about anhpur Pony
told lii story, straight and supple, and
convinced his hearers pr-nn ia thr
car-that il he had not killed II, man he
himself would have been Killed. That the
acad man was the aggre-sor, puliug - gun
i.i"re he-McPartl,n-leit hi seat to
ciuch the man. and seeing he could ne,
keep hiln from pulling the gun, - use hir
own wori- Il went to work ~ him with
Il knii-; when he fell, my cabin mate said,
Frank, sou have killed him b-lieye
have, said Frank, and he thri requested
hi- partner to 20 and notify - adjoining
miners and have them cpInr and arrest
him, a. he proposed, and dii -ive himself
up. There was no attempt a lynchiny az
vas published at the time: cutie the re-
verse. The miners, with "a ia. kupVleds.
"i Pouys character aad deposition.
promised hin protection should anyone
attempt 10 do him harm
Tn man whom Pony si.l-d a-rin-I - Kill
another miner a4i Pony intrif-d, thus
cItaii!I- Ais anger. Al IA, ti-ru--ipu
about the stat. .. Rhode l-'a,d had 20 do
with il was what nccurr,d ia talk bo-
tween the dead man aud M'Hhr'lan thr
day before the killing, Ah~n decreased
requested Mcl'artian 10 draw Snap oi NJ.
state - N.rii.- hi statement I--ariin.
IN location 81 certain tuwus Pony lid