The Great Falls leader. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1888-1890, 1888-06-16
GRAND JURY REPORT.
A General Summary of Their Work
The Needs of a Jail Set
Forth.

OF the District Court of the Fourth Ju.
dicial District of the Territory of Mon
tana, in and for the County Of Cascade
| In reply to your charge OF the seventh
instant to the grand jury on that day EN-
paneled. we beg leave to submit the fol
lowing report:
We have diligently examined into all
matters and evils referred to by the court,
and found that there was much reason
for complaint. Especially is this the case
respecting the social condition as it now
exists. Three indictments have been
found against the proprietor of the PARK
theatre il Great Falls, under the three
special sections of the statutes of Mon
tana, referred to by the court in its in.
| structiOns to this jury.
indictments We're also found against
| parties keeping disorderly houses. Il
the matter relating to Chiiamen, touchec
upon by your honor in your charge, We
have to report that we find no cause for
action.
The matter of garbage has been tho,.
Oughly investigated, and we find that in
most cases the offenders have already
taken steps to remove the nuisance. We
earnestly recommend that the proper au-
thorities be specially instructed to enforce
the law in this respect.
The carrying of concealed weapons by
cowboys and others has been the cause
OF much disturbance. Under this head
one Indictment has been found.
Vagrants-We find that there are many
men in the town Of Great Falls who have
no visible means of support, and have be-
come fruitful source OF annoyance and
breeders of crime in this community. We
recommend that the county commission
ers procure proper quarters for caring
for these despicable characters, and that
the latter may be compelled to contribute
to their own support, We suggest the Or
ganization of chain gang under the
sheriff Of this county, who shall work
these vagrants upon the public roads.
Butchers.-We find that the butchers
of Cascade county, having been ignorant
of the law requiring them to record the
brands of all slaughtered cattle, have
neglected this important matter until re-
Gently. But now they evidence good in
tentions to comply with the law in this
respect. As the county clerk is instructed
to report all offenders against this statute,
we believe there will lie no further in
fringement of it.
The Jail at Great Falls is unfit for hab-
itation Of single individual for day. At
present it is crowded to overtlowing, is
utterly: devoid Of decent ventilation and
its present condition is very favorable to
the commencement and spread of disease
in this community. We desire to earnest
ly impress upon the board of county COM
missioners the Importance Of procuring
ut once a suitable site and of erecting
thereon Jail building which shall be
adequate to the present and rapidly in
creasing wants.
We find that some of the justices of the
peace courts of Cascade county are con-
Quoted in manner Lnbecoming places of
justice, and respectfully urge that the
county commissioners investigate the
competency of the justices of the peace
OF said county and that they proceed i'm
mediately to remove all those who are
found lacking in the qualities requisite
to justice of the peace.
In regard to the lynching affair which
occurred at Sun River during our session,
we would say that every effort has been
made by the grand jurors to ferret out
the offending parties, but to no avail, not
withstanding the officers of the law have
acted with the utmost diligence in this
case. We deem it of utmost importance
that an officer of the law be stationed at
the town of Sun River, and recommend
That the county commissioners appoint
an under sheriff for this district and grant
him the full power of sheriff, the same to
be compensated by a reasonable salary.
The books of the county officials have
been casually examined, but none of the
members of this jury being expert ac-
countants, we feel incompetent to make,
in limited time, a thorough and careful
We have visited the different county
officers and were received with uniform
and attention. We believe that
the several officers are attending to the
duties of their respective positions with
diligence and ability We feel especially
who by his zeal in furthering the ends Of
justice, mas been of inestimable assist
ance to this jury. JOHN 7. ATnEY,
Foreman of Grand Jury.
ARTHUR w. Ford, Clerk.