The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1894-01-09

Brodenax. William Mcdonald. William
Davis, Edward Devin.
The following person is presented to
this court. charged with selling liquors
without license: Grace Powell.
The following are presented TO this
court, charged with transacting bust
ness lgamingl without license: Charles
Richter. Louis King. j. ID. Hicks Robt.
Terrence. Nathaniel Neeley, William
Bement. William Mcdonald. Saml. A.
Pepper. w. +. Jordan, Geo. ge Silver
berg.
The following are presented to this
court, charged with keeping resort for
the purpose Of using or smoking opium.
commonly known as an opium JOINT:
Sam Gee. Tom Wong.
The following are presented to this
court, charged with maintaining a nui-
sance for letting house for bawdry: VIM
+. Schmalsle. Berthold UllmaD.
Within the time limit imposed by our
selves we had little opportunity TO exam
inc into the affairs Of the school officers,
the County Clerk. the County Treasurer
or the Sheriff. A casual examination,
however, was made in all these Offices,
with most gratifying results.
The jail is cleanly and well kept. and
in general we have only commendation
for all the officials above named.
As to the Treasurer's Office. we would
recommend that the County Commis
sioners. in consultation with the County
\ ltorney. devise some way by which the
continuing cash item. known as the wv.
W Garland charge" be expunged from
from the statement.
We visited the Office Of the Clerk Of
the Court. and found all matters Of rec
ord in orderly arrangement.
We find. however. by examination par
ticularly Of the record of probate bust
ness many evidences of evident waste
and injustice in the settlement Of cs
tates.
There is also in many cases an appear
ance OF Inexcusable delay in the final
disposition Of the affairs 81 estates.
During the past three years there
have been "a cases commenced in the
probate court. OF these only six are
closed al this date.
In some cases. in fact in the majority
of cases the attorneys fees appear to be
exorbitant. and often the administrator
is not satisfied with the very lib
eral compensation allowed by our stat
utes, but asks. and asks with urgency.
for large special allowances.
The Clinton ID. Graham estate is an
estate which was reported 10y the APP
praisers. April 22. ls.rl at s45.3gG.5i. OF
this nearly s2O.OOO.OO in cash. The es
tate is not yet finally settled but so far
there has been paid for attorneys fees
81 5000. and foS administrators fees
sg2316. :.
The records do not show that there
was ever any contest at law, or any suit.
except suit against the estate for a
lawyer'e fee. which was apparently
compromised and settled.
The Leighton estate has been in pro.
cess Of settlement since some time in
lSss. So far the administra Tor has been
paid sl .9s9.12. and the attorneys s'jsI.J0.
This attorney fee is not as large as
many. The administrators claim. how
ever. is now s3.,s9.12 and the attorneys
charge is 81 1890.
II should be stated. however. in Justice
10 all administrators that by our Mon
tana laws the legal fees are very large.
So il follows that allowances to the ad-
| minIstrators. in addition to the regular
percentage. should not bc asked What
is termed settlement of estates often is
attempted spoliation Of estates and the
vigilance Of the proper officers is re
| spectfuliy invoked in this matter. We
/, are glad to bear testimony To the fact
| that the judge Of this court is awake to
the importance Of this subject.
Regarding the violations Of the fish
and game law, We have to report but a
single violation reported TO us. to wit:
| There is no fish way constructed at the
ditch company's dam On Tongue river.
/ as we are informed and believe. We
have not thought il best to present any
/ 70
We have visited the poor farm and
find matters there mainly in good con-
dition. The superintendent. William
Dominy. and his wife appear to be eff
cient and adapted TO the work they have
to do in an unusual. il not remarkable
degree. The poor house building is kept
as clean as is possible to do. The in
mates are comfortably cared for and
make no complaint against the superin-
tendent.
We find that this place is at present
not 30 much OF a poor house as hos
pital, and we respectfully recommend
, that in addition to the present furnish
] ings there be placed therein such hos
| pltal equipment as an invalid chair IA
patient now there needs thisj and other
like appliances, and also such foods, cor.
diale and stimulants As are in ordinary
use in hospitals. these to oe issued under
the supervision Of the county physician
only. all of which we think are needed t.
enable the authorities to give the in.
mates proper care and humane treat
ment.
We also recommend additional bath.
ing facilities.
We would also suggest to the c unity
Commissioners that the superintendent