The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1893-02-23
CODER'S GONE
He Skipped Out of
Helena on the Sly.
ONE MORE DESERTION
The Latest Let In Tho Clark Campaign
FOUND HIM IN A CAR
But Even Colonel Sanders Could
Not Stay His Departure-He
Stood Not on the Order
OF His Doing.
ONE MORE DESERTION
FOUND HIM IN A CA

Special Dispatch to the STANDARD.
HELENA. Mont. Feb. 22.--There were 10
mon absent from tho joint assembly of
the legislature at noon to-day. One Of
these 10 absentees was Codcr, representa-.
tive from Fergus county. whose namc was
hrst brought prominently before the
people Of Montana ono week ago Satur-
day, when hc outrageously deserted his
party and his colors In tho crisis Of .
battle and walked into the onemy's camp.
Branded rs q traitor from that instant,
advertised N deserter from his post all
over the union, and unable to endure the
open scorn of his old friends and the
secrSt contempt Of his new allies, Coder
got on board train to-day and the general
belief about town 10 that he will not be
seen at another session Of the legislature.
He found himself unable to summon
nerve sufficient to again deliver his vote
for Clark and he concluded to abandon
the field.
Coder is paired with George Ward, q
Dixon democrat. 1t cnmc about In this
way. Mr.. Ward has received urgent mp
peals for several days TO return homo for
short time, both his wife Ind daughter
being very seriously i'll. Ward looked for
o pair and was referred by severul to
Coder. Tho pair was made, Mr.. Ward
understanding that II would be for few
days only.
When announced at tho Joint assembly
yesterday the pair read ''until both appear
on the floor Of tho house." Immediately
after tho adjournment of the joint assem-
bly,, Ward hunted up Coder. finding him
at his room. Ward told him that he did
not intend the pair should be for longer
than Thursday or Friday and insisted that
Some men weep easily, and Codcr 10 one
of them. He told Ward that no had re-
ceived notice that his child was dying and
thnt he must return home. He thought
he might get back the last day or two Of
tho session, but not before that. Ward
insisted that tho pair should not extend
later than Friday, and II was understood
that the change should be made when tho
house met In the afternoon.
The house was In session all yesterday
afternoon and all last evening. but Coder
did not appear. Ward hunted high and
low for him. republicans Of high standing
searched everywhere, hoping to dissuade
him from abandoning the field at this
critical juncture. Tho question "Whero
10 Cotler?" became the usual query Of
greeting up and down tho street last
night, but no one answered tho query.
Ward tried to get his pair annulled at last
nights meeting, but was unable to do so.
The joint assembly mot at noon to-day.
Coder. though still In town, did not APP
pear, but leading republicans OF tho city,
who take o deep interest in the matter,
had been ON the trail. AL last evening,
instead Of attending to his duties Of the
legislative session, Coder was skulking
about the secluded parts of town. like
fugitive. Instead Of occupying his com
Portable room at the Helena, hc slept In
an obscure lodging house in the outskirts
Of town. Trains had been watched and Il
was not believed that he had yet left tho
city. Col. w. +. Sanders and n well known
west side republican reached the Northern
Pacific depot carly this afternoon to bc on
the outlook for one Coier, In caso he got
on the train. A policeman was enlisted In
the service. Colonel Sanders stalkcd UP
and down the platform like IN old soldier
on guard, whilo tho Butte man went
through the train.
Tho Butte man looked under tho seats;
inspected the water closets: and finally.
In the rear sleeper, he found Coder. The
latter. rather than risk tho publicity Of
getting OH tho train at the depot. had pre-
sumably walked up to the switch and
come down with the trnin. Quickly the
Butte man reported to Colonel Sanders
that the fugitive was found. Tho colonel
started for the car. Coder had taken the
alarm. He wns trying to make his sneak
into another car when the colonel nailed
him in the vcsSibule.
Doubtless many readers OF tho STAN
DARD will recall a colloquy Of q pro-
nounccd type which occurred In the lobby
of the Helena hotel about a week ago be-
tween Sanders and Coder. No reporter
was present nj the sccne between these
men this afternoon, but the trainmen say
that the scene at the Helena wasn't a
marker to the tonguc-lashing adrninis-
tered in the vestibulc OF the sleeper. as the
train was preparing to pull out. Those
who know oloncl sanders well. ncel not
be assured that he rose to the occasion.
Coder began his pitiful story about his
dying child but Colonel Sanders stopped
him shor, by flashing up this dispatch,