Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1891-12-10
CALLED BACK"
rested on the Charge of Embezzlement
While En- Route TO Helena.

On Monday of last week Mr.. L. Barber,
who represents several insurance compa.
nies. ca He'd on a number of parties for the
.urpo-e at getting them t. renew their pol
tcies, stating that he was going to Helena
on insurance business, and for the purpose
IF obtaining treatment for his wife, who
was siling. Although some Of the policies
mad not expired Tor the year. he was anx-
ious to renew them at once in order to
make a settlement with the agent of one OF
the companies, whom he was to meet at
Helena. Upon this plausible statement
Mr.. Barber secured several hundred dollars
in premiums, and on Wednesday, accom-
panied by his family, tool the Great Falls
coach for Helena.
On Thursday evening Mr.. Phil Gibson,
local agent at Great Falls for the Fire
mans Fund, one OF the companies repre-
sented by Mr.. Barber, arrived in town, ac-
companied by F. q. l.. Buck, OF Denver,
general agentforthe Liverpooland London
and Globe. Mr.. Gibson had been author
lied a special agent to look into the affairs
OF the company, as Mr.. Barber was behind
in his Mr.. Buck came to look
after the supplies OF his company, the
agency for which had been cancelled some
two months ago
Meeting Mr.. Barber at Stanford Mr..
Gibson obtained the key to his office, and
upon reaching Lewistown hastened to make
an examination of his books. He found
that Mr.. Barber was behind between eleven
and twelve hundred dollars with the COM
pany, and fearing he would leave for parts
employed VIM. Newton to start
at once for Arlington with a dispatch to
detain Mr.. Barber at Great Falls. Friday
at noon Messrs. Gibson and Buck started
on the return trip to the Falls. The devel-
opnients were such as to cause the bonds
men OF Mr.. Barber. VIM. Hortop and j. o.
Gilkerson, much uneasiness, and on Satur-
day they procured a warrant charging Mr..
Barber with embezzlement, and sent Under
Sheriff Fisher after him. He found Mr..
Barber at the Falls apparently Indifferent
to the demonstration that was being made
and evincing no desire to skip the country.
Mr.. Barber and his family returned with
the under-sheriff, reaching L~ewistown Tues
day noon. He was given a preliminary
examination before Justice Gudgel, but the
hearing was continued until the 18th inst.
in order to give time to secure witnesses.
Mr.. Barber was placed under 81 o bonds,
ID. j. Kane and Alexander Branson going
on his bond.
An ARGUS reporter called on Mr.. Barber
Tuesday evening to ascertain whether he
had any statement to make in relation to
himself. He denied any intention OF leav-
ing the country. Said he was going to
Helena, where he could secure the money
to make up the shortage to the Fireman's
Fund, which he says is about $500, Mr..
Gibson failing to give him credit for one
| draft. Notwithstanding the above state
ment OF Mr.. Barber, a gentleman OF Lewis
town is in receipt OF a letter from Mr.. Glib
son written since his return, in which he
says that upon his arrival at the Falls he
started out in search Of Barber. and finally
found him seated in a poker game, in which
he had lost all his money except S130.
which Mr.. Gibson secured. In his letter
was a note given by Mr.. Barber for $3.50,
which will be placed for collection.
Besides the Fireman's Fund, Mr.. Barber
| also represents the Hartford, Of Hartford,
Connecticut, and the Union, OF San Fran
cisco. 1t is said Mr.. Barber is behind with
these companies also; that policies have
been written for which no reports have
been made, but as to this little can be
known until some one representing the
| companies arrives upon the scene, which
will not be many days.