The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-21
SHOT In THE BACK
The Bodies Of Five Murdered Emil
grants Discovered in the Judith
Basin by Cowboys.
All the Adults Shot Down Apparently
Without Warning and a Child
Strangled-
strOyed. Their Identity, and tho
Murdsrers Being Unknown

FORT BENTON. June 2O.-fSpeciAl 10 the
independent REEVES Collins, the driver
OF the coach on the Fort Benton and Lew
town Il e, this evening brought news Of
the finding of the bodies OF Eve per
sons who were murdered IN the Judith
basin, somewhere near samples crossing
OF the Judith river. Collins got his news
from Stage Driver Gurley, who saw the
bodies Saturday last the body Of a
middle-aged woman, who had been shot In
the back, was found by a cowboy in . wild
and unfreqnented spot in the lands OF the
Judith river. about one and half miles
above samples crossing, The cOroner's
inquest developed no information As TO
who she was. On Tuesday last
the bodies of two men, To-
year old girl and g. year
old girl were discovered about one
hundred yards above the same place. The
men were about six feet, one inch tall,
well built, dark hair, beard on faces,
dressed in good dark clothes. The elder
girl was rather tall. slim, hight sandy hair,
clothing not described. except a pair Of
laced shoes on her feet The 6-year-old
girl wore earbobs and = gold ring on her
finger. All were shot in the back except
the child, which was supposed 10 have been
strAngIed- Near by were found the re-
..ia,.sS II trunks burned and camp equip
page destroyed. Everything by which the
bodies might be idenuned was destroyed.
The only clue to the murder Is furnished
by Mr.. HusOn, wOolgTOweF, who lives
three and a half miles above Samples
place, on the east shore of the Judith.
About seven OF eight days ago Huson was
out riding and saw q man with q team OF
dark bay horses and another team tied be-
hind the wagon. HusOn started 20 meet
the man, when the stranger left the wagon
and went about hundred yards 10 meet
Huson. The stranger said he was looking
for location and thought he would camp
on the Judith river for a while. HusOn
after talking while left the man and
went home. The man was on an unfre-
quented road and either came from to-
wards Lewistnwn or Judith Gap. Moth
ing was ever seen of the man or team
afterwards, but the wagon tracks led 10
the spot where the bodies were found. and
turned back over the same trail.
It is now almost certain that this man
was the murderer and had the bodies in his
wagon when he met Huson. Had Huson
reached the wagon he would probably have
been murdered also. The murderer's team
consisted Of a wagon, two dark bay horses
and third horse tied behind the wagon.
Huson noticed the man rather closely, and
describes him as a very robust man, about
IS OF y years old, heavy set, Will weigh
about 200, has sandy moustache and q
mean cOuntenance. Nobody in the Judith
country can recognize the bodies
found. They are all supposed 70
have been emlgrants. Reeves Col
Inns says the whole Judith country fs
aroused and a hundred horsemen are
securing the country seeking the trail OF
the murderer. The officers and citizens Of
Fergus county are sparing no pains or ex-
pense in the search.
It Is apparent the murderer has made for
the Judith landing on the Missouri, prob
ably trying TO reach the Manitoba railway
in the Milk river valley.