The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-27
LEWISTOWN NEWS.
A Libel Suit Brought Against the Demo-
crat-A Smaller Delinquent Tax
List Than Usual.

Great Falls. Dec. 26.-The Lewistown
Democrat is the latest victim of that
popular fallacy which looks upon every
newspaper plant as klondyke gold
field and every editor as future multi
millionaire. Last week the paper
printed the following item in its edi-
torial column:
Mr.. Hoffman makes some very
grave statements concerning couple
of county officials who came out to Ut
lea last fall to look after a man who
had been accidentally killed. He says
that these two officers got drunk over
the occasion and acted in a manner
closely verging on brutality. Such con-
duct is outrageous and disgrace to
our civilization"
w. T. MacFarland, who is a justice
of the peace, and Walter A. Waite. who
is deputy sheriff, Immediately seized
upon the coat and swore out a warrant
against Fred Hoffman and Thomas j.
Johns, alleging criminal libel. The
parties appeared as soon as they heard
of it before Judge Gudgell, pleaded not
guilty and are now under bonds OF
$500 to appear in court. The complain
ants allege that the item refers to the
proceedings at an inquest held some
| three months prior to the publication.
Fergus county this year has de-
linquent tax list amounting to Ss,52 rs,
of which amount 81 434.4S is due from
the Northern Pacific railway, that cor
poration refusing to pay taxes to the
| county on its government land grants
until a pending suit in the United
| States courts is settled. The delln-
/ quency from taxpayers other than the
railway is 1900 less than that of last
/ year.
| The Sunset club gave a klondyke
| party at which the principal amuse-
ment was the hunting for and the find
| ing of cards and wainuts which rep
J Af II
The prizes We're won by Mrs. G. A.
| TilIotson and j. NJ. Croft.
/ The wedding Of George Lamb and
! Miss Mary Alice Dickson at the home
of the brides mother, Mrs. Frank Prou-
ett was an occasion of congratulation.
/ Rev. Joel Vigus performed the mar
riage ceremony. They will reside at
| Philbrooke, where they are Well-known
| and have many friends.
The Pleasant Hour club gave n bal
masque at Culvers hall on New Years
! eve Numerous prizes We're given by
the business firms of the town, and a
large crowd was in attendance. The
arrival of the new year was appropri-
ately observed.
w. A. Hedges gave a very instructive
and interesting lecture on the subject
of Montana; Its History and It's Flu
ture." The receipts We're devoted to
the use of the free library, and We're
considerable.
Alphonso Jackman and Miss May
| Maddox We're united in matrimony at
| the Methodist church on Sunday just
before the time of the regular service
by the pastor. Mr.. Jackman is a we'll
| known Sheepman of Fergus county,
and his bride, though a recent arrival
there, has gained numerous friends.
Ed C. Walters of Utica has been
bound over to the district court on a
charge of assault with intent to COM
| nit rape on the person of Florence
Crede. 14year-old girl who lives with
her father on a ranch four miles from
| Utica.
| The new electric light company has
held meeting and organized with the
| following officers: Directors for the
first three months, ID. NJ Crowley, l.
NJ. Hobensack. j. G. War;, J. O. Gilk-
erson, Charles Lehman. G. #. Little
| G. w. Cook, Samuel Phillips. +. T.
| Wright. Subsequently the directors
elected the following officers for three
months: President, G. W. Cook. vice
F. Little treasurer, T. e. Wright. The
stockholders authorized the directors te
proceed to the surveying of a ditch
the securing of a Waterright and To-
cation of plant at once; also to make
a 10 per cent call on stock. The meet
ing then adjourned to the call of the
temporary chairman. David Hilger.
The latest enterprise for LewistoNr
is the establishment of a telephone eX-
change. Twenty-seven subscribers
have been secured, and by spring the
exchange will be in full operation.