The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-09-17
STOLE SUPPLIES.
The Goods Sent to Spokane After the
Big Fire Appropriated by
the City's BoOdlers.
Arrest, Confession and Escape OF One
of the Leading Members Of
the Combine.
Warrants Out for the Arrest of Two Mem
bsrs OF the city COunefl--A DIE
graceful story.

SPOKANE FALLS, Sept. Ia Special 20
the Independent I-Exposures in the most
disgraceful scandal in the history of Wash
iDgtOn were made to-day. On account OF
the terrible fire that occurred Aug. 4. thous-
ands OF dollars worth of provisions were
sent here fIOm ali parts of the country for
the relief Of the sufferers. The supplies
were taken charge OF by the relief commit
tee, and Issued 10 applicants upon orders
obtained from persons authorized % per-
form that duty. subsequently il was dis
covered that crOokedness had been prac-
tieed, and that Robert lnglis, an PmplOye
of the relief committee, who was suspected
of stealing goods and selling them TO gro
GERS and others, had left the city. Chief
of Police Warren traced him 10 Chico,
Gala, and brought him back. de then
made the startling statement that q con-
spiracy had existed among the Of
icisls and others for the ap-
preparation Of relief supplies on
a large scale. Inglis' examination was
continued antil to-day and he WAS released
on $500 bEil. He made written and verbal
statements in detail and as late as Satur-
day night reiterated his oft repeated dec
Iaration that he intended TO stand his trial
aAa NARNoN AAA Nuu MNAE kuAANl " tic
crime of which he was accused, still claim
ing that he was acting under orders in all
his transactions while in the employ OF
the committee. Persons who were watch
ing his movements suspected Saturday
night that he had been bought of and was
preparing 20 leave the city. but no action
was taken and as be failed 10 appear in
court to-day il was presumed that he left.
He was last seen at a late hour Saturday
night in close consultation with Sidney ID.
Waters, member of the city council and
cOmmissary- general on .BTigadier- General
Curry's stan, with the rank of lieu
tenant colonel. Waters was exceedingly
oficiOus during the time the city was
under martial law succs eding the ire, and
issued orders for provisions with great
nberality, although it is not known where
he obtained authority 20 do so.
The relief committee and a number Of
prominent citizens held a meeting to-day
with closed doors and Buck 4 Winston
were employed by the relief committee 70
assist Prosecuting Attorney W. @. Jones in
collecting testimony They presented q
report duplicating COuncilmen Waters and
Dueber, Police OficeI Giiiespie and others.
The report showed that several thousand
dollars worth Of goods had been stolen and
converted into money. Several wagon
Ionds of hams aud other commodities bad
been taken ont In orders for the relief Of
"a sick man on the island, "and one order for
$40 had been raised 10 500. the goods
delivered 10 professional man, but
afterward taken away from him upon the
discovery of the forgery The meeting re-
solved 20 protect the city's good name by
prosecuting 10 the full extent Of the law al
who are suspected of completely in the in
famous outrage and 70 use none Of the cash
relief funds for that purpose. Accordingly
a large sum was subscribed to employ j.
b Jones and I. Il. Graves as additional
counsel, making team Of five Of the abIest
lawyers in the city. Warrants were sworn
out By A. ~. Cannon, chairman Of the re-
lief committee, for the arrest of sidney D.
Waters, Peter Dueber aud William GiIlis-
pie, on the charge Of grand larceny. The
arrests will be made tonight.
1t is understood other warrants will be
sworn out to morrow. Il has been long
suspected that a conspiracy existed in the
council for the purpose OF toodle, aud a
permanent citizens Committee was Crgan-
ized 20 protect the people against recur-
renee Of official misconduct oi any cbarac-
ter. President Tay lor, of the board Of
trade, in his speech openly expressed the
opinion that this movement will save the
city az least 100000 year. The people
keenly feel the disgrace that has fallen
upon the city, and are determined 70 let 10
guilty person escape Military meg state
that Waters will surely be cOurtmkTtialed
for conduct uubecOming an ofncer. Both
he and Dueber will be requested TO resign
as members OF the city council.