The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-24
MERELY SPITE WORK.
The Montreal Affair Is Not So Bad As the
First Report Makes II.

FIRST Report MAKES III.
In reply to the article in the Stand |
ard yesterday morning from the Mon |
treal La Presse regarding the Fletcher
family of that place, the following was
left at the Butte office last night by
which Ii would appear that the arrest
was brought about by spite:
Editor Standard: Dear Sir-In
this mornings issue of your paper 1
read the article copied from the Mon
treal La Presse of Jan. 8, and which
is headed "A Bad Lot" Whoever your
translator may be, If an honest man,
he ought likewise to have published
the article, in the same Montreal La
Presse of the following day, Jan. 10,
wherein it states that Mr.. Mcdonald
simply accuses James Fletcher of hav-
ing on the Sth of February. 1895,
wrongfully received the sum of $3.50.
which he converted to his own use. The
La Press further states: We must ac-
nowledge that this is far from the gil
gantic frauds of which some persons,
through motives known only to them
selves, accuse the Messrs. Fletcher.
The Fletcher family, who has always
enjoyed a reputation for integrity and
honor occupy the desirable position in
society, for. the reports of ill-advised
persons to be taken without cum grano
| sails. Many believe this is done through
| political motives
| "A ITdnSldllOn VI the IN La
| Presse of the 10th is as follows:
James Fletcher, the arrest of whom
we have announced, appeared yester-
| day afternoon before the police court
| and pleaded not guilty. 1t is said that
the case against Mr.. Fletcher. who is
| so years of age, has been abandoned.
| Mr. Fletcher's son was admitted to
bonds in the sum of $1,000. of which he
furnished personally $1,000. The other
two bondsmen are ]. b. Mongeanis and
| Joseph A. Chevrier. in the sum of $500
| each. The preliminary hearing will take
| place next week. o. Des Marais, attor-
ney, represents the plaintiff. and Mr..
St Pierre, c. r., the defense. Is this
| affair, which has caused such anxiety
in Vaudreuil and concerning which
the Herald and other newspapers have
given such a sensational account, truly
meritorious of taking such proper
lions which certain people wish to give
it? Until contrary proof the affair re-
duces itself to very little, since the
| charge of DeLerry Mcdonald simply
accuses James Fletcher of having on
the Sth of February. 1898. fraudulently
received the sum of $3.50. which he
converted to his own use. We must
admit that this is far from the gigan-
tic frauds which certain persons. with
motives known 10 themselves. accuse
I the Messrs. Fletcher of being the au-
thors. The Fletcher family. which has
! always enjoyed a reputation Of integ-
: rity and honor. occupies a position too
: enyiable in society, so that the commo-
Z lions spread by these il-minded per-
5 sons be not taken cum grano sails
!. The Messrs. Fletcher exercise import
: ant influence in the political battles OF
:, the county of Vaudreuil. and their
: enemies might have thought that the
best manner 10 destroy the prestigt
| of this honorable family was 10 oTae
its members before the tribunals. II
: persecution or an inadmissiole ven
geance is the motive. La PreSse would
regret having given. Ike ether news
! papers, publicity 10 this affair. which