The Philipsburg mail. [volume] (Philipsburg, Mont.) 1887-current, 1895-05-16
THB GRANITE COUNTY JAIL BESIEGED

nation and other places about here 70,
several years. About the time Of the
crash he departed for Colorado and loca.
ted in Cripple Creek. where, rumor says
Though we do not know how true it is,
he was elec.ed president of the Miners
union. At any rate he was there at the
time OF the strike and trok quite promi-
nent part as leader. He was charged
with having KILLED deputy sheriff there,
and it's reported that there are seven
indictments against him. 1t is also
claimed that he broke Jail with several
others last October at Colorado Springs,
Colo; that he went to Utah and then to
Wyoming, whore Sterling, the detective,
followed him. McCloskey got wind Of
his being shadowed and came to Combi-
nation in January last, and was working
there until last Saturday. 1t is also re-
ported that he was to have married a
young lady at Combination III a few
days.
Further inquiry develops the fact that
McOloskey was member of the organ
lied band of workingmen in Cripple
Creek who last fall made such a gallant
fight against the capitalists of that sec.
tlon when an effort was made to reduce
wages below the standard scale, and
which resulted in such bloodshed and
loss OF life. During one Of the conflicts
deputy sheriff was killed, presumably
by a bullet from the ranks in which Nc
Closkey was stationed, and afterward he,
together with four Of his companions,
were arrested and placed in Jail, charged
with the murder of the officer. Some
time later the men broke Jail and es
capped, and McCloskey was the third to
be recapt1red. About four months ago
he located in Combination and went to
work in tho Combination mine, making
no effort whatever to disguise his iden-
tity.. He was subsequently located by
the Colorado officials, and last Friday
Sterling, the deputy sheriff, arrived in
Philipsburg and Immediately made
known his mission to the sheriff's office
in this place, producing warrant issued
from the sheriff's office in Ell Paso coun-
ty, Colo, calling for the arrest of Nc
Closkey. On Saturday the Colorado
deputy and, Under Sheriff Argall drove
to Combination, made the arrest and
McCloskey was heavily chained and
lodged in jail here to await an outgoing
train, when his captor would start with
him to Colorado and upon delivery re-
ceive the 81, 900 reward offered for his
arrest.
Soon after the arrest in Combination
McCloskey's felow-workme began in
qulry as 10 the legality of the proceed
lngs against him, and one of their num-
Der was delegated to go to Philipsburg
to consult an attorney. Messrs. Durfee
q Brown were employed to investigate
the case, and by request of the delegate
from Combination Mr.. Brown vent to
the Jail and asked to see the prisoner,
explaining that he had been employed
as counsel to defend him. Sheriff John
son and Under Sheriff Argall were both
absent, and Jailer Coy told the attorney
that McCloskey was in charge Of the
Colorado officer, WHO was present, and
who promptly
REFUSED THE CONSULTATION
asked for with the prisoner. Being de-
MED an interview with the prisoner Mr..
Brown then asked to be shown the pap
ers upon which he was held which re-
quest was also refused by the Colorado
officer. Mr.. Brown then asked the Colo
RADIO man if he was managing the jail of
this county and he replied, according to
the attorneys statement, that he was SO
Far as McCloskey was concerned, and
added "Do you think I'm a id fool"
Ehe attorney replied that he considered
The officer the best judge Of his own
mental capacity, and after again being
lenied any privilege the attorney de-
parted and explained all to the man who
lad employed him.
The Combination delegate then in
luired if the officers could not be com
oelled to show their authority for hold
ng McCloskey, and he was informed
hat nothing could be done until Mon
lay, when Judge Brantly would return
lere from Deer Lodge and mandamns
night then be Issued.
This condition OF affairs being made
nown to McCloskey's friends, they soon
rived at the conclusion that the Colo
ado officer was endeavoring to "railroad'
he prisoner out OF the state, and before
ny legal steps could be effected he would
e beyond their reach. They had guessed
light in this, according to Mr.. Browns
Judgment, for McCloskey was not legally
Imprisoned and the officer had no more
ight to hold him than he would have to
lace any other citizen in custody with
ut the necessary papers filed against