The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-02-09
CURRY WENT FIRST
lie Had Ordered Winters to Get Out
Of This Country.
THEN THE SHOTS WERE FIRED
The Recent Gun Play on the Wood
ward Logging Camp TO be Elk
planned i'm Court his Rifle Prac-
tice Is Becoming Tiresome.

tiCe Is Becoming llreSOme.
Great Falls. Feb. SIT has been devel-
oped that the trouble between James
Winters and John Curry. which resulted
in the shooting and death of the latter
and the incarceration of Winters in the
Benton Jail on a charge of murder, was
caused by Winters purchasing what
is known as the Dan Tressler, valuable
property located near the division line
of Choteau and Valley counties. The
land, IL is alleged, was coveted by the
Currys, who have the reputation of be-
ing dangerous men and who tried TO
brighten Winters into abandoning the
property. With that end in view John
Curry Ia alleged TO have ridden up TO
Winters cabin the night before the shoot
ing and shouted through The window:
You -, I'll give yod 10 days in
which to get out of the country" There
was nothing further and Curry rode of.
Winters anticipated a visit the follow
ing day and loaded a shotgun with buck
shot. About o'clock Saturday morning
Curry rode up on horseback and Winters
went to the door OF his cabin unarmed.
when Curry said: II thought | told you
10 leave this RANCH" and drawing his
slx-shooter fired one shot. which passed
within six inches of Winters head. the
horse. Winters reached inside. secured
his shotgun and, taking aim, fired point
blank at Curry's breast. The full charge
struck him and his horse plunging turn
ed his left side toward the door. when
Winters fired the other charge at him,
the shot taking effect i'm the left breast
During the time that Winters was shoot
ing Curry fired two more shots from his
gun which struck the ground a few feet
in front of the porch. After receiving
both shots Curry rode 10 or Is feet fell
from his horse and expired almost in
stantly. Winters Immediately started for
Malta to give himself up. fearing violence
from Curry's friends, but his horse gave
out and he stopped at Browns Brothers
ranch, where he was afforded protection
until Sheriff Mclaughlin and posse arriv-
ed and took him in custody. Winters has
retained counsel and the defense will be
that he shot Curry in self defense.
Fred Whitaker, James Barker and
Charles Knudson. charged with assault
with intent TO commit murder on the
Woodward logging crew near Monarch,
three weeks ago, the fun particulars OF
which appeared in the Standard at the
time, were bound over to the district
court by Judge Fitzgerald Of Belt before
whom the examination occurred. The
men furnished bail and were released,
pending trial. good deal OF interest is
centered in the case, and there is n
strong sentiment against allOW1nE people
TO enforce demand with the assistance OF
shotguns In this part Of Montana.
Some time ago the school trustees OF
this district requested the subcontractor
under Mckay Bros. who have the con-
tract for constructing the Central High
School building. TO file with the clerk of
the school board copies of their contract
with Mckay. These are now on file with
the clerk and an inspection of them re-
veals the fact that the credit of the build
ing fund is at least 81. 900 less than the ag-
gregate amounts that will be due the
sub-contractors when the building is COM
pleted. Several months ago the sub-con-
tractors became dissatisfied with the
manner in which Mckay Bros. were maxi
ing payment to them and. in pursuance
Of a request of the sub-contractors, the
trustees resolved that whenever an esti-
mate on Mckay Bros contract should be
allowed, the amount should he divided
among the sub-cOntractors. and paid to
them. not TO Mckay Bros. the amount to
he deducted from Mckay Bros.'s contract
Consequently. this has since been done
II is now claimed that by their action.
the trustees relieved Mckay Bros. of la
bility TO the sub-contractors. and that the
district assumed the liability TO the sub
contractors. Another feature which may
lead 10 complications. is that the sub
contractors contracts are not with Nc
Kay Bros, but with Mckay Bros &, NIL
Ter. The trustees have never recognized |
Miller as a contractor for the building.
Miller is understood TO he II. G. Miller Of |
the Butte & Montana Commercial COM |
pany Even II Mckay Rros. should be !
held 10 be liable TO the sub-contractors. |
the district would probably be compelled /
10 bring suit upon their bond I'm order to I
enforce completion Of the building, and. I
1t Will he rendered considerable doubt /
has been expressed as 10 the validity Of !
the bond when executed. and also the /
liability OF the bondsmcn. in view of the 1
n publications of the contract