Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-02-25
JUSTIFIABLE nonIclDE.
Julius Steihisr Killed 1t MoccasIn City Stage
Station BY Jos. r. HccIIntock.

Another homicide has been added
to the criminal annals of Fergus
county, but i'm this instance the kill
ing seems to have been justiiable. OF,
at least, the weight Of testimony ia
heavily in favor of the survivor.
Harry j. Leighton, a well known
cowboy, was the bearer to Lewis
town Monday of the intelligence that
Julius Steihler, a rancher of the Moe
casin mountains had been stabbed
that morning by Jos. F. McClintOck,
| one of the pioneers Of Montana, and
| that the result had been fatal within
IA few moments after Its occurrence.
According to Mr.. Leighton, the
killing and the events which led mp
to il are M follows:
Mr.. Steihler il the postmaster ri
MOccasin City. n stage station on the
| Benton road fifteen miles from Lew
istOwn, and Mr.. McClintOck, Ia the
deputy, the latter living at the Office
and attending to the duties, which
are not arduOus. Sunday evening
Mr.. Leighton stopped at the stage
barn with the stock tender and that
evening took supper with Mr.. Me-
Clintock. who was barely able to be
about. being well along in years and
having been Ill for several days pre-
viously. Tuesday morning Mr..
Leighton went to the p~ostoffice,
which il about forty steps from the
stage barn, to see about the old gen.
tleman and found him in bed suffer-
ing considerably. Leighton built a
fire for him and told him to get
up when the room got warm. About
$50 Mr.. Steihler drove up to the barn
and leaving his team, went to the
postOffice, remaining there a few
moments with Mr.. McClintock. Com
ing out again Steihler went into the
stage barn, al though to get some
thing, and in another moment came
out, his hands in his pockets, and
grumbling to himself some profane
language, giving Leighton and the
stock tender, who were standing
near, the impression that he was
mad about something.
Steihler went again to the post
office and shortly after the stage
from Lewistown drove up. The
driver hallooed to the inmates of the
office to come and get the mail, but
received no reply. At this moment
loud talking was heard from the
building and Steihler opened the
door, saying to the stage driver, 81
am dying"
The driver, thinking he was Joking,
told him, to ''cOme out here and
die Steihler fell forward from the
this time Leighton, the stock tender.
two passengers and a cowboy, who
had i'm the meantime ridden up, were
talking, wholly oblivious of what
had occurred i'm the shack near by.
but when Steihler fell, raj to him
and picking him up. asked what was
the matter. When they lifted the
form they saw blood trickling down
from his breast and received i'm reply,
'.he stabbed me-" which were the
last words uttered by the expiring
man.
Entering the cabin McClintock WAS
was found, shaking with excitement,
and dressed only In his underclothes.
The only explanation given Of the
deed was that, HE assaulted me;
I had to do it,"
Leighton put some bed clothes
under the body and leaving it where
it lay, came at once to town to- sum-
mon the authorities, Sheriff Waite.
Coroner MOnahan and Attorney
Cheadle, responding.
Mr.. McClintock is a man past
sixty years. has been a resident Of
Montana for II quarter Of a century
and held the office OF treasurer Of
Meagher county for several terms.
For some years past he has lived in
LewistOwn or in the mining camps
of the Moccasin mountains, and has
| always been considered an honorable,
| upright and conscientious man, who
would not harm the least of Gods
creatures unless driven to the ex-
treblity. His past reputation will
now stand him in good stead.
Deceased was q man of probably
forty-five years, has also been a resi-
dent of Montana for a long period
and while never in trouble before, so
far as known. had earned the repu-
tation of being a dangerous man
when excited, and OF high temper.
Mr.. McClintOck is n bachelor; Mr..
| Steihler leaves a wife, but no child
| rem.
Upon the arrival of the officers at
the scene, a corOner's jury was i'm
panelled, before whom the body was
examined and the testimony Of wit
nesses taken. Upon the conclusion Of
the investigation, the jury brought
in a verdict generating McClintock,
declaring the wound was inflicted in
self defense and without feIonious in
tent.
Mr.. McClintock was brought to
town by the sheriff and Tuesday
morning was interviewed at the Jail
by an ARGUS reporter. His story of
the events which led up to b STAY