Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-08-24
TO ROE THE BANK.
A Desperate Plan Made Public Before i,
Could be Carried Out.

Lewistown came very near having a sen
sation in the nature of an attempt to rol
the Bank of Fergus county on July 18th and
but for a horse burning his foot on a ropt
would probably have been treated to a
shooting ARRAY OF more han ordinary
magnitude. The case has been known to
a few parties for some weeks. but the ends
Of Justice prohibited its publication until
the preliminary hearing Of the leader, Jesse
Davis, on Friday last in Justice Gudgel's
court. The conspirators as far as known
were Jesse Davis, George Maddox, a Next
can known as Mexican Joe and a man
named Fraser. The latter two are recently
from Kansas and Indian territory and one,
If not both, are thought to have been i'm
plicated in the Coffey vile raid last spring,
two characters of their description having
escaped from the party.
The scheme was frustrated through the
agency Of Robert Irwin, he giving the out
ines of the plot to Robert Leavens, OF
Ubet, and the latter Immediately detailing
them to Cashier Moe. Irwin was ap-
preached by Maddox about July Sth with
"A proposition to join the gang and share
the proceeds which were placed at not less
than $40, 900. At various times Maddox
unfolded the plans and sought to make
Irwin an indirect accomplish. Davis,
Fraser, the Mexican and Mattox were to
ride into town disguised, make the haul
regardless OF cost and flee. The three first
named intended to ride to Wyoming while
Maddox was to remain in this vicinity and
use Irwin to prove an alibi il, perchance,
he had been recognized. Davis held con-
versations with Maddox at Living Springs
which were overheard by Irwin and also
told Irwin that he would meet him soon
and make a proposition whereby big money
could be made. Horses were being bought
and trained and buckskin sacks made for
the carrying OF the proceeds. Davis was
arrested at Ubet and the next day, before
Sheriff Deaton reached them, Maddox,
the Mexican and Fraser left the country
by different routes. Undoubtedly they
had watchers who Immediately gave them
the word 10 go.
Davis appeared without an attorney at
the hearing and his questions in cross ex-
amining witnesses cast suspicious upon his
o"h ttStiiioHy. It oiittco 5tNtTdi VIII
nesses to prove that his condition was such
that he could not ride and also that he
had told them he was going to the Missouri
river. Justice Gudgel held him to the dis
trict court on the charge of conspiracy and
in default of 81 500 bail bond he is now in
Jail. Friday next he will be tried for petit
larceny in stealing a bit from Frank Lamb.
Maddox stole a horse from IA sheep herder
so that the charge of grand larceny is also
against him. The date first set was July
18th, but an injury to "A horse as previously
mentioned, led to postponement, beside
the fact that little wool money had arrived
and the haul would have been greater a
little later.
Several parties counseled Mr.. Moe to
allow the conspirators to proceed and
make ready to take them on the day set,
hut Mr.. Moe feared fatal results, possibly
to innocent parties, and chose to nip the
affair before it had matured. 1t is hardly
probable that the plan could have been
successful: but would have been unfortu-
nate in either event.