The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-05
Who IS RESPONSIBLE?
A Clue to Julia Dowd's Murderer,
but No One Willing to
Follow 1t.
A Shameful Neglect Of Duty on
the Part Of Officers of
the Law.
The Man Who Claims to Have Seen
tho Murderer q Ranch Near
Livingston.

There is big hole somewhere in the ad-
ministration of justice in this town. When
an important clue is found to the author of
the most fendish crime ever committed in
Montana no officer can be found willing to
follow it. Whether this is the fault OF
Sheriff Jefferies, City Marshal Cronin,
County Attorney Nolan or some other pub
lie officer is yet to be determined. 1t is
knowo, however, that all of these men are
we'll paid by the public for their services,
and therefore it is expected that they will
attend to the duties for which they were
elected. No red tape nonsense should
stand in the way of bringing
to Justice the murderer of Julia Dowd. Yes
terday IHE INDEPENDENT printed exclusive
ly the news that man named Dan Null
quinn had confessed in Missoula that he
saw Julia Dowd murdered. It was also
stated that Mullquinn had gone to Living
ston. Yesterday afternoon Marshal Cronin
received letter from the chief marshal of
Missoula confirming the report that Moll-
gu nm had made these statements. AS a
matter of course it was expected that the
officers of this city and county would take
steps to apprehend the man and learn as
much from him as possible. An inquiry
revealed that none OF Inc Objects named
would undertake this work.
Marshal Cronin was the first man seen.
He said: II have no authority to go down
to Livingston after that man unless the
county attorney will give me the proper
papers. This will secure the guarantee of
payment for my services by the county
commissioners. It will not do to go down
there and arrest the man without some
kind of written authority. Yes, we arrest
men here upon kilograms from other cities
but there are warrants at the other end of
the line. | think it is the business of the
sheriff to look after this matter"
Deputy Sheriff Holbrook said: "This
office cannot go after the man without pa
pers from the county attorney authorizing
us to arrest the man and securing our pay
from the county commissioners. II the
county attorney says SO q man from tnls
office will go down there" Sheriff Jetfries
who came along at the time. said that II
the county attorney secured the papers
some one from the sheriff's Office would &C
down to Livingston and arrest Mollquin.
The only information in the sherif's pos
session was that obtained from the news
papers. 1t will occur to the average reader
that it is at least the duty of the sheriff tt
find out whether this information is based
on facts. In the meantime some ont
should apprehend the Mollquin.
County Attorney Nolan was the next seen
He said: "It is my business to prosecute
the man after he is arrested. / cannot is
sue a warrant for his arrest neither can
enter complaint for his arrest for murde
in the first degree on the evidence now sub
mitted. An officer cannot arrest man OF
supena. What can I do in the matter? Th
sheriff and marshal should have enough
) pride in their officers to make an lnvestlga
: ton in the matter and arrest the man whlcl
l they have full authority to do. No paper
are necessary. There is no doubt abou
= securing their fees from the county com
missioners."
s This is where the matter stands. Eacl
f officer places the responsibility on the other
:? As consequence probably no effort will b
K made to find out what the man Mollquil
a knows about the mysterious murder. II
o may know everything and he may kno,
J: nothing at all. In any event it is the duty
n of some one to find out about it,
/, week ago Monday Judge Hunt special
n charged the grand jury to look into tn
It murder. report was returned recon
l. mending that a reward be offered and de
II tectives be engaged to work on this case
r Neither of these recommendations hav
o been followed. If the grand jury had gon
lies for the neglect shown in the conduct @
m the case their work would have been c
If much service. AS was suggested. Judg
al Hunt should have included this duty in hl
~ charge. A dispatch was received at th
to Office last night stating that Mullquin
,e at his fathers ranch, at Reeds Poin
s. fifty seven miles from Livingston. Ma
es shall Cronin has written to the marsha
t. at Missoula requesting more specific info
lg nation as to the time and place when Null
quinn's alleged statements were made. i
n has also written to the officers at Living
a. ston to look out for the man. But this
10 not enough. The men who are supposed
er protect the peace of this city and count
RS i should see the man personally. And tn
to should be done Immediately.
Is. -----------'-----
T. Special sale of trimmed hats Friday and Satu