The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-11-22
FRIDAY. NOVEMBER %. 1895.
In Larqey ADAMS. Mantle.

During the years In which Butte has
had reputation as a silver camp, a
good deal Of "swiping" of mining
claims has been going on. There hasn't
been so very much of 1t in relatively
recent times, merely for the reason
that the professional claim jumpers
and claim swipers have stood in great
er fear Of the law than formerly; be-
sides. some of them have swiped them
selves into so much money that It
does not tempt them now to tackle pet
ty-iarceny propositions. But the prac-
tice Is one in which. in the past, some
men engaged who consider that Butte
ought to rank them as reputable bust
ness men to-day.
Then. there is in Butte another class
of men whose habit II has been to set
up claims to mines or prospects in
rather reckless disregard of any legiti-
mate ownership in the property
claimed. One OF these claims has Just
been through the judicial mill in
Butte. Now. we have been as indiffer-
emit as a barn door to the outcome in
the action of Largely against Mantle.
The testimony was badly conflicting,
and the items were so significant as to
preclude the theory OF bad memory
somebody has been saying what was
not true. this week. In Judge McHat-
toms court.
Be that as 1t NAV. what especially
attracts our attention is the publica-
ton in the Inter Mountain of what the
attorney for the defense. In the case
Of Largely against Mantle. is alleged
to have said in his summing up. Here
is what Mr.. Corbett. for the defense. is
quoted as having said:
From Mr.. Largey's testimony I take a
list Of the things he says he gave Mantle
prior to Dec 1879. The first was the
Carte Blanche lode claim, the second was
the Pixies Peak and the third the Mary
Ann In his statement in chief Largely
said positively that at the time mention
ed he had declared Mantle in for a half
interest In each one of these claims. On
cross examination Largey was compelled
to admit, and the court records prove be-
yond Largey's or any other mans testi-
mony. that Largey did not own the Carte
Blanche claim, that II belonged to a man
named Turner. The Pixies Peak claim
belonged to a dead mans estate of which |
Largely was administrator. The Mary
Ann was a portion of another dead mans |
estate. OF which Largey was administra-
tor. The law then, as now, pro-
hibited Largey from dealing in any
way for his own benefit, or the |
benefit of others with property
that belonged to an estate. Therefore.
taken at his own word, when he gave |
Mantle an interest in these two claims.
he crraflf Of
and crime. So II seems that Largey |
gave, In consideration of Nantes prom |
Use. right to pay another mans debt |
and took chances 10 go TO jail and for |
this Largely now comes and asks that the |
jury present him with a handsome gift of |
$4,000.
That is pretty tart talk: It is i'm
mensely to the discredit of the man
at whom It IL aimed. IL 1t is true. We
do not presume to pass on the merit |
OF the accusation: all we know is that |
the verdict OF the Jury was against |
Mr.. Largely. But our opinion is that |
the trial Just closed in Butte will serve
as a pretty emphatic pointer to some |
men in Butte who are ready to rush |
into court with claims to ground which
the court finds they don't own. All
we go by is the verdict-we are not
presuming to pass on its merits. But
there are not many men in Butte who.
even for a money consideration, would
care TO go into court. nave Haunted at
them the language imputed to Mr..
Corbett and then have the jury go out
and find against them-not many of
them.