The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-12-27
Horse Stealing Becoming Altogether
Too Frequent Below Billings,
Along the Line.
Many Christmas Festivities In
dulged in by the People OF
That Town.
Dancing and MerryInaking at Missouin-
Sale Of School Lands- Removal OF
the KOOtenAi Indians.

BILLINGS, Dec. 90. II Special. = Horse
stealing has become such an important in
dustry in tho Yellowstone country and
along tho Wyoming border. that the stock
men have organized in a determined effort
to stamp it out. Losses are variously re-
ported at from 800 to 800 head this season
alone, and the renders of The INDEPENDENT
may expect to hear of stirring times along
the border. l'he ''rustlers'' have, it is be-
lieyed, a thorough system Of communica-
ton extending into several states.
c. w. Barney has sold his sheep to n newly
incorporated company, the Lake Basin
Sheep company. composed of Billings capi-
~talists. The capital stock is $4,000, and
the practical work of the company will be
under the efficient management of Wm.
Gillanders, one of the best posted and in
telligent of our wool growers. The Barney
ranches and range are the finest in the
state.
Superintendent Marsh, of the Yellowstone
division of the Northern Pacific railway,
paid his last official visit to Billings this
week. Mr.. Marsh has been appointed to a
similar position on the Wisconsin Central
near Chicago. His successor ia John
Dorsey, late assistant superintendent on
the Occur d'Alene division.
On Wednesday evening Ludwig G. Lab
feldt, a leading flock master, of Lake Basin.
was married to Miss Juliana Staffek, of
Billings. The ceremony was performed by
Rev. Il. g. Sharpley, rector of st. Luke's,
at the residence of the BRIDES brother,
Alderman John Staffek.
The long looked for ball of Billings
Lodge of Odd Fellows came off on Thurs
day evening. About seventy-fve or eighty
couples thoroughly enjoyed the occasion.
The spacious dining room of the Grand
hotel presented a brilliant appearance.
On Christmas eve the male choir of st.
Lukes went around as carroll singers, and
made the air resound with "The glad It'd
ings of great JOY" Their musical efforts
were we'll received, and the boys RECALLED
with good things at the various places
where they called. The singing was very
good indeed. #
st. Joachim's (Catholic) Sunday school
children were treated to a Christmas tree
Thursday evening, and had a very pleasant
time. ..
The children of the M. E. church also
celebrated Christmas eve with a tree, and
were RECALLED with sweets and presented
with gifts.
The Congregational Sunday school had a
Christmas tree on Friday evening. when the
attendance was large and the gifts numer-
Gus.
On Thursday afternoon Santa Claus
made a visit to the public schools and the
pupils had a royal time. The pupils of Miss
Stanlsy's division made her a handsome
present.
H. >. Williston, the handsome and popu-
lar hardware merchant. has gone east to
spend the holidays and make his purchases
for next season.
Richard Ashworth, one of our cattle
kings, has returned from Chicago.
Rev. s. A.. Wallace has accepted a call to
the Congregational church at Miles City.
II. G. Lavell and son Willard have re-
turned from an extended visit to St. Louis.
Sidney Tax, the Red Lodge barrister,
with his sister, spent a night here on their
return from a grand tour of Europe.