Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1899-08-17
Suspects in the Cullinam Case
Arrive.
WERE IN THE SWEAT BOX
The Three Brought in From Gallatln
County Told Conflicting Stories
Witness Talks.

The last Of the suspects of the murder
ers of EugeneCullinam were placed behind
the bars last night at 6:10 O'Clock upon
the arrival of the Northern Pacific train
from Belgrade. On that train We're Dep
uty Sheriffs Robinson and DAILY, having
in custody Clinton Dotson. Oliver Ben
son and Ellis Persinger, who were ar
rested the day before near Central park.
The prisoners appeared in Anaconda for
the first time before a large audience.
fully 200 people having ben scattered be-
tween the Jail and railroad to see the men
who are suspected of murder. The prs
oners We're taken off the train at the Ce-
dar street crossing, where a dead stop
was made.
Benson, the young man, and Pers.nger
were handcuffed together, while Dotson
walked apart, handcuffed also. Dotson
was the only unmoved member Of the trio,
Benson and Persinger each displaying
nervousness.
After the customary examination of the
prisoners in the Jail Office they were as
signed to temporary cells.
BY reason of the crowded condition of
the county Jail and the urgent need to
keep all the prisoners apart, the three
men brought in yesterday and the four
arrested last Saturday. namely, Oliver
Dotson, William Cachelian, William Glow
err and Gabriel Hilderbrand, have been
placed in the city Jail cells. Two guards
constantly are on duty in the corridor OF
that prison to watch all the men and pre-
vent any communicating.
On yesterday before the arrival Of the
prisoners brought in last night County
Attorney Duffy placed the elder Dotson,
Cachelian, Glover and Hilderbrand in
the sweat box. Last night he took Gin
tom Dotson, Benson and Persinger
through the same course. Benson. the
young man, was the first one catechised,
all questions and answers being taken
down by a stenOgrapher.
Each Of the three men told a story diff
ferent from the other. On the part OF
Dotson and Benson there was an effort
made to throw the responsibility for the
presence of the murdered mans watch
in their baggage on Pars-nger. Persln-
ger, on the other hand, asserted that ne
knew nothing of the time piece until the
officers discovered it in the mattress. Per-
singer made a good impression and did
much to show his innocence, but Will be
held as an important witness.
John Chadwick, nearest neiShbor OF the
murdered man, claims Clinton Dotson
and Oliver Benson sought to have him
enter a conspiracy with them to murder
Cullinam; hat Dotson had told HIM OF
the plot to kill Cullinam; that Dotson
had asserted Cullinam always wore a belt
containing $15. 900, and that Dotson had
sought to have him enter the conspiracy,
saving he would be rewarded by a share
of the money. Chadwick sald Dotson
told him all he would have to do would be
to give notice to Dotson and Benson OF
Mulholland's absence from home. Null
holland was Cullinam's partner ana caDln
mate.
Oliver Benson admitted he was a de-
serter from the United States navy. He
enlisted at Philadelphia in 1885 and was
placed on board the Essex, Captain
Strong, from which vessel ne deserted
the service at Tampa bay, Fla, August
q, 1887. From there he Travelled about,
visiting Pennsylvania, then Missouri and
the Indian territory. He remained in the
territory about a year. and then went 10
Billings, where he has since made his
headquarters.
Persinger We're brought before Judge
Frank Kennedy in the justice court a few
moments after 10 O'Clock this morning
for ~arraignment. Each OF them PLEADED
not guilty. They We're without counsel
and no provision was made to secure
any. Their preliminary hearing was set
for August 2S at 2 p. M, and they were
remanded to Jail without bonds. The
specific charge against them is murder,
their victim being the deceased Eugene
Cullinam. Each of the defendants has
blue eyes and dresses in the garb of an
eastern farmer. Dotson ig less than 40
years of age, iron gray hair, and wore
a beard less than a week old. Persinger
is about IS years old or less, about six
feet tall, dark hair and light mustache.
Benson, the young man, is over 20 years
of age, medium height, very slender,
dark hair, pinched face and beardless.
None of them are mean looking men.
Dotson is the most talkative to the Off
GERS. In the court room he discussed
very freely the witnesses he wanted at
his examination, and named a certain
blacksmith in Helena, also the proprietor
of the Capitol hotel at that place, who, it
is understood, will prove his presence in
Helena on certain dates. He asks that
a certain woman at Central park, from
whom they bought milk, be another wit
ness. Benson and Perslnger did not ask
for any witnesses, it being understood
that witnesses for one will do for all
three. Benson appeared restless. and
played with the handouts on his wrists.
Dotson and Persinger We're chained to-
gether with handouts. Benson had the
appearance of not having rested good
during the night. and is either afflicted
with sore eyes or else has lately been in
tears. At times he seemed to fill with
emotion. On the street and in the court
room they were never without a curious
audience, making their lot not an easy
one. After leaving the court room the
prisoners We're k to the depot. Dot
son and Persinger We're taken to Deer
Lodge by Deputy Sheriff Robinson, and
will be confined apart in the pen until
the time set for their hearing. Benson