Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-09-15
HAMILTON NEWS
Hamilton, September IA, 1899

hamilton, september IA, 1899.
The trial of the case of the State vs..
Willard Sheriff. was resumed Wednes-
day morning. Several witnesses were
sworn and testified on the part of the
state and the state rested after proving
the corpus deficit. which is in substance
that plaintiff did, on or o July s, kill
and attempt to dispose of one steer be-
longing to Marcus Daily. The defense
has already offered considerable evidence
and will attempt to prove that the kill
ing of the steer was the result of a mis-
take; that the defendant was too drunk
at the time of the killing to form an in
tent, he having mbibe about a quart
and a half of alcohol that day. The de-
Tense will also attempt to introduce evil
dence showing that similar mistakes have
been repeatedly made by men in the en-
ploy of Marcus Daily, and that stock be-
longing to other residents of the valley.
among whom is Scott Sheriff., brother
of the defendant, has been thus branded
and appropriated and paid for by the
Bitter Root stock farm when demand was
made. The case has excited much in
terest in the valley and the verdict of the
jury will probably be returned this even
ing.
A large number of witnesses came up
from StevensVille last night to be pres
ent this morning at the trial of Nels Pc
terson for the murder of Andrew Nell
son.
Yesterday was. in a measure, a sensa-
tional day in the district court. The case
of the State vs.. Willard Sheriff., charged
with grand larceny. which has been on
trial for two days. has attracted large
crowds. not only because of the array OF
legal talent employed on both sides. but
because of the high standing of the Sher-
rill brothers and the excellent reputation
they have for SO many years enjoyed IN
the community. But the defense proved
more than it intended yesterday and
brought the trial to an abrupt ternina-
ton for the day. The testimony intro
duced was devoted to proving the here
tofore good character of the defendant,
and to the effect of alcohol on the mind
of man. Much long-drawn-out expert
testimony was introduced. Drs. Cough
enor and Howard Of Hamilton and DR..
J. G. Hunter. manage of the Kelley m
stitute. testified relative to the effects of
the excessive use of alcohol. The testl-
mony clearly showed that a person drink
ing a quart and a half of alcohol within
the space of ten hours. as was the case
with Sheriff.. would not be in the state
of mind to form a crimina intent. The
testimony of one of the physicians went
further, and established the fact that
even now, while not under the influence
of liquor. Sheriff. is in a measure in
sane and dangerous to be at large. On
hearing this testimony the court stopped
the proceedings. and announced that
under the law if any doubt existed as to
the -3-itv of ::a defendant. he must be
tried for his sanity before the trial OF
the criminal charge can proceed. A jury
will, therefore. be ~impanneled this morn
ing and the question of the present sanity
of the defendant determined. and proba-
both the prosecution defense Will
now bend their energies to the task of
est blishing the fact that the defendant
is not now insane.
Messrs. D. R.. Beck and NJ. Mcdonald,
We're appointed by the Missoula
board of trade to solicit exhibits for the
National Irrigation congress from the
farmers, are busy in the valley with the
work assigned them. A very fine exhibit
of fruit and vegetables can be obtained
from the valley, Notwithstanding this is
an off year for fruit. Hon. w. E. Harlan
of Como. one of the largest fruit grow
ers of the valley. has an excellent crop
of apples and all along the foot hills on
the west side side of the river, wherever
trees are found old enough to bear, fruit
is abundant. Farmers in Rava1li county
will respond Gladly to the request for
fruit, as they realize the fact that a fine
exhibit at the irrigation ongress will do
much to attract attention to this partic-
ularly favored section of the country.
Some pessimistic individual is persist
emily circulating the report that. the
Copper City limited will shortly be taken
off. This report. however, is not given
credence by railway officials and any
person who watches the arrival and de-
parture of the train at Hamilton knows
that it is we'll patronized.
Mrs. David Sturdevant and children
nave moved into their new home, for
merly the Harris property, IN the Hart
addition, and will remain IN the city dur
ing the school year. Mr.. S~turdevant will
spend the greater part of the winter IN
the Wolpert ranch, which he recently
purchased, looking after his stock inter-
ests.
A violent storm is sweeping down the
sides of the mountains today and the
wind is blowing damp and cold. While
the unhappy deniZens of the east are
sweltering in torrid heat the Bitter
Rooter is getting ready for the winter
season that is not far distant from the
valley.
Mr.. and Mrs. r.. l.. Perkins have taken
a, bright little girl from the Children's
Home in Helena INTO their home to care
and educate. Miss Dowden's efforts are
meeting with flcn results III TINS valley
and many orphan children are finding
comfortable homes.
1t is stated on good authority that a
party of twenty-five home seekers from
South Carolina will reach the Bitter Root
valley some time next week and locate
here. provided they find prices of homes
and surroundings satisfactory.
The board of commissioners have ad-
y~ertiSed for, and will meet in special SeS-