Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-08-03
The Murder of ThOs. Rolling as
Cold Blooded an Act as Ever
Perpetrated i'm the State.
FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD OFFERED
Howell Is Still at Large, but His
Capture and Punishment Seem
Almost Inevitable. 1.-The Muir.
derer Described.

AS we went to press last week news
of the murder of p. 1. Moule's fore
man at the formers Swimming
Woman ranch had Just been received,
but few particulars were Obtainable.
Shortly after noon Under-SheriffS Sim
Ons, Acting Coroner Mcfarland, Act
ing County Attorney Smith and Doc
tor Hogan departed for the scene and
arrived about midnight.
From Mr.. Mcfarland thefollowing
particulars of the crime, as shown by
the evidence, have been cbtained:
The irrigating bitches of p. l. Moule
and George Pirrie are very near to
each other on Swimming Woman
creek, and some trivial dispute has
occurred over the use of the water.
Tuesday of last week Thomas Roz-
ling, foreman for Mr.. Moule, was
working on the Moule ditch and near
by was Milton d. Howell, who was
in charge of the irrigation of Mr.. Pr
rie's fields. The men had a short
passage of words, and as Rolling
was leaning over placing head gate
in the Moule ditch, Howell struck
him on the shoulder with a shovel.
Rolling rose and administered u Sc
we're threshing to Howell, which wit
nesses say was well deserved.
Later the crews returned to their
homes. That night Howell showed
considerable feeling over the affair,
but, SO far as the testimony goes,
made no threats. The following
morning "wednesday Howell was
seen to take down a rifle, fill the mag
azine from a cartridge box and,
shouldering the rifle and a shovel, de-
part in the direction of the bitches.
This was the last seen of him.
Rolling left the ranch early on
horseback and went to the field.
About O'Clock his 11-year-old boy
saw the horse coming back, and mis-
trusting some accident, rode to where
his father had gone, finding him ly-
ing dead in the field with his shovel
near by. From the appearance of
the body and from the examination
made by DR.. Hogan it appears that
Rolling was first shot in the back,
the ball cutting off the lower part of
the heart and passing out between
the fourth and fifth ribs. Before he
fell another well-directed shot was
placed at the base of the brain, which
ranged upward. Death was prob
oh tpc TO nd
doubtful if Rolling was even aware
of Howell's presence.
Inquiry and investigation made at
once by Mr.. Pirrie revealed that two
of his horses were missing. That day
E. l.. Ashley saw a man answering
the description of Howell and 80
equipped riding in the direction of
Glendive, and it is thought to have
been Howell.
Rolling had been employed by Mr..
Moule for some time and had always
been looked upon and respected as
careful, quiet man,
anxious at all times to avoid trouble,
while Howell's reputation is not of
the best, one rumor being that he
killed a man in Texas.
Rolling leaves n wife and two chill
,lren, the boy above mentioned and
girl nine years old.
Officers throughout the state were
notified at once by wire and de-
scription of Howell sent, which will
be supplemented in a few days with
posters giving a picture of the muir
derer.
A reward of $3.50 has been offered !
by the governor and like amount |
by thecounty commissioners. Under !
Sheriff Simons is on the trail and |
there is reason to believe Howell will |
be apprehended before many days.
The following description of the
murderer was handed us by Sheriff |
Waite:
Milton ID. Howell, aged 80, slim
built, weighs about l65 pounds, 6feet |
inches tall, dark complexion, small,
eyes set close together,
brown hair and moustache: rather
stoop-shouldered; when walking his
arms hang loosely at his knees; of an
irritable disposition; non-communi-
,ative and hesitating in his speech;
W hen talking shows his gums prOmi-
nently; has scar from knife wound on
right wrist; wears Overalls, "a waist,