The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-23
Charles Phelps, Who Killed a Man
at Pocatello in November.
Found in Helena.
He Says He Is tho Man but Has
No Regrets for the
Crime.
Detective John Frey Spots the Mnn-Mar-
shnl Furay's Work In Running
Him to Arrest.

IA AinAi Wun atioaA ~ tho 49,
front of Tom Crahnn's White House at
1880 O'Clock last evening. His hands were
in his trousers pocket, and he was gazing
in an absent way at the stars, when United
States Marshal Furay walked up behind.
The marshal looked at the man for a sec
ond, and then dropped his hand with Il
wave. This WAS a signal to Policemen
Sweeney AMI Baker, and the next second
each had a firm grasp on the mans arms.
They were very quick for they had a bad
one to deal with.
He is Charles Phelps, who murdered a
young man named West in n dance house
at Pocatello on Nov. "a, and there is Il re-
ward of $500 for his apprehension.
MIR. Phelps took his arrest with n good
deal of GOODNESS considering the crime,
which is said to be Il cold blooded murder.
With the officers he walked to the station
house and away from n crowd of
several bundled men and boys who
surged about when the arrest was made.
He said nothing when u bull
dog revolver WAS taken from his pocket.
When Marshal Furay turned and said,
Charley, how are you? When did you
with a smile. Aft1r another question he
said:
eyes, I am l.. G. Phelps, the man you
want"
The marshal then took the description
from the Bingham county sheriff from his
pocket and was looking it over when Phelps
moved along close to him as if to indulge
in a friendly embrace.
'Stand back said Furay.
The evident intention of the man was to
reach for Furay's revolver, but he was
fooled. The description did not fit the
man except in one instance. He had Il tell
tale scar nde his left eye. 1t is q perpen-
dicular cut two inches long and was appar-
emily, made by a knife. The description
called for light hair and beard. His only
facial ornament was q black mustache
which showed a line of red close to
his face. showing that it had been
instead of l5o' but his face showed
the result Of long and hard drinking. He
was described as a professional tin horn.
This is probably right, as he had a faro
punch in his pocket. After Marshal Furay
had made a formal arrest, a little party
consisting of himself, the two officers and
Marshal Cronin'ssaloo was reached Phelps
asked permission to treat the crowd. This
was accorded. and al drank at the pris-
oner's expense. When the marshal said
he had extradition papers, Phelps replied
that these were unnecessary. He was
eutirety VIKING 10 return TO luanO ana
only wished to get out IN the first train.
A few minutes later the party was joined
by an INDEPENDENT representative and on
the way up the hill Phelps told his story of
the crime. He said: Last November, |
forget the exact date, | attended a dance at
Pocatello. West came in and started a
disturbance. He was kicking up a great
row when ! asked him to stop. He replied
by striking me on the head with his fist. I
fell SO hard that my head struck the floor
with considerable violence. then pulled
Il gun and shot him dead. have
no regrets for | would do it again under the
same circumstances The only mistake !
county and standing trial" Phelps talked
in an easy unconcerned manner and told
the story as though such affairs
were every day occurrences. He said
that he was deputy United
States Marshals Wilson. Dubois and Baird.
The Jail was soon reached and Jailer Rich
arps was aroused from his slumbers, Phelps
asked for the best quarters that could be
given and the iailer said that his wish
would be gratifed. Another search
punch referred to. He was assigned quar-
tiers for the night and will be taken this
afternoon to Idaho by Marshal Furav.
To detective John Frey belongs tho credit
of finding Phelps in Helena. Despite the
attempts at disguise Mr.. Frey's eagle eye
found the right man and with the descrip-
tion he felt sure of the identity. Marshal
Furay. who has been working on the case in
Butte for several days, struck the first clue
on April IA. On the afternoon of that day
he and Chauncey West, the murdered mans
brother, and two others were playing a
game of whist i'll the rear room of Phil
Lewis saloon at the corner of b oadway
and Main Of TnatS phplps Whn No in tho
place came to the door ard looked at tho
game and then returned to the bar. The
conductor walked to the door and getting a
good look at the man said:
"Thece is the fellow who murdered
my brother"
out to see the man. He had no means of
identifying him, SO he telegraphed to the
shtriff of Bingham county to know if the
murderer was wanted. He received an
affirmative answer by wire and also Il de-
scription by mail. He finished his work of
summoninG jurors to the United States
court, and on Sunday i'll company with jim
Conlev returned to Butte to find his man.
He found, however, that Phelps had left
town n few days before. He came to Helena
and learned that Deputy Sheriff Ross, of
Bingham county, had been in town. Ross,
who is a brother of the messenger who
so CALAMITY protected the treasure box in
"'N e''hobtc ~ ~ nv Vlip 4NSNs, IL
1888, left Helena and went to Missoula
for Phelps.
The United States marshal in the mean
time was not overlooking anything. After
the lodge meeting last evening he took a
walk up the street where he met Detective
Frey. The detectiee said he believed, he
had located the man. The two walked
up to the Headquarters gambling
house and were leaning against the
bar when Phelps came in. Frey gave Furay
II kick on the heel to put him OH. The mar
shal waited n moment until the man had
walked out. and then followed him down to
Con Kelly saloon. Furay looked HIM over
very carefully ana consulted his d~escril-
ton. He was sure of the identity. Phelps
left the place and went to the White House,
which he left a moment later when ar
rested.
John Frey received many congratulations
last evening over his very clever work. 1t
was particularly good under the difficulties.
The detective saw the long scar and then
studied his man until he was quite certain
there was no mistake. Marshal Furay, who
flew the bird in Butte, is likewise entitled
to great credit for his persistent work in
running his man down. Jim Conley dropped
off at Miles City last evening on his way to
Pierre to look for Phelps. while Deputy
Ross was on the same hunt IN Missoula.
He returned to this last evening. 1t was Il
pretty catch and reflects credit on all con
cerned.
There are two stories of the murder. One
is given i'll MIR. Phelps words. Tho other
is that after Il row III the dance hall in
which Phelps was knocked down by West,
the prisoner went out of the building and