The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-30

"Oyez! Oyezr' he said. 'Does anybody
know how this man came by his death2'
At that man in the crowd stepped out
about sixteen feet, made kind Of bow
and said:
The man hadn't spoken word up r. this
time. He didn't say another word now
but inst stood there, with his pants in hif
boots and his hands in his pockets, waiting
and looking at the squire.
Coates looked at the man and then looked
at me. For about minute not word wal
said.
"Better ask him what he knows" said I.
seeing the fellow didn't intend to 90 ahead
of his own accord.
The squire Strengthened back with good
deal of dignity and said,
We'll. str. What do you know about thia
The witness drew himself up and took d
long breath. He felt the importance Of the
occasion. He spoke very slowly. His Of
fort to be exact was almost painful.
Last night, SQUIRE" he began. II was
abed in my house down here piece:
heerd the bell on my Ally 20 a-tinkle and
but, hold on, I'd better 60 back little
squire, and tell yon the thing from the be.
He stopped and looked At Coates. and
Coates nOdded.s He started ON again q,
cool and composed % any Of you who ar,
listening to me.
Squire. I've got : mare and . ally. TIL.
call her = lilly cause she haint had no col
yet. work my marc and my ally together
hauls wood to Dallas. The ally raised,
put the bell on her cause know she'll al.
ways come homo and bring the mare with
her. know the sound Of the bell. Night
before last walked up, ~ said, hearing
the bell on the ally 20 a-tinkle and a-tinkle
and a-tinkle. says to my wife somebody
10 after the mare and the nlly.' / got up,
put on my clothes and won't out doors. /
couldn't find any sign Of the mare or the
nlly: But the next morning the mare and
the filly was both home. says to my wife
somebody is fooling with them horses. I'll
be ready for him if he comes again. SO /
loaded up my gun and put in plenty of
buckshot. Last night walked up again,
with the bell on the tilly going a-tinkle and
a-tinkle and a-tinkle. says TO my wife:
I'll Gee what this means So slipped ont
hear the bell R0in' down the road. but I
couldn't see nothing. The road. as you
know, Squire. makes turn below my house
. The witness sauatsed down, and with his
finger drew in the dirt diagram Of the
mp and went on with his story in the same
careful manner.
''1he turn in the road il almost an elbow.
By glttin' across the fields quite lively can
come out ON the road quicker than 4 man
ON horse can go round the elbow il he
don't go too fast. Well. squire, made the
road right about whar we are. The ally
came along with the bell goin' a-tinkle and
a-tinkle and a-tinkle. And this man here
was a-ridin' her. / says: Stranger, amt
ye on the wrong hosp Tho ally stopped.
She knowed my voice. The man don't
mako no sign. / says agin: stranger. amt
ye ON the wrong hoss3' He neyer made no
answer, but Jest did this .
The witness puckered mp his Lips and
whistled the half dozen notes with which
the band ct the circus ushers in the fearless
female bareback rider. Without SOM
biance Of humor in his face, he continued:
Eat that, squire, / hulled down ON him
and lot him have IL. And reckon busted
him from his belt clean 10 his neck.''
He had. There must have besn seventy
hve buokshot In the body. Az the witness
got through, the jurors looked at each other
e:provtnaly. In thooe daysin Texas it Was
tuottnAble homicide to kill man found on
another mans h0ese under any circum-
stances. The jury didn't want TO hear any
moro testimony. Coates turned TO mo. /
eav there vas NO ne to push investigation
further. q
Ia that all7'' asked Coates.
Il suppooe y0a might e veil issue the
Jury warranA6, "Isaid ]. tee the jurors were
beginning to st ready 10 loayo.