The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-03-31
THE OTHER SIDE.

Columbus Citizen Explains the Trouble
Between Canty and Martin.
Some citizen of Columbus has taken
exceptions to the article concerning
the trouble between Ed. Canty and AL
bert Martin, published in last Fridays
Gazette. The facts as published were
ascer tanned from Mr.. Canty himself,
as he gave them to the county attorney.
The Gazette reporter being in that Off
cial's office at the time. 1t is not the
purpose of this paper to treat anyone
unfairly and since we gave Canty's side
of the trouble, the following letter from
some Columbus citizen will he interest
ing reading:
Columbus, Mont, March 28.-Editor
Gazette. Billings, Mont: In your
issue of The Gazette Of March "a, your
valuable paper misrepresented or was
misrepresented to in regard to the trou-
BILE between Ed. Canty and AL. Martin,
an alleged 'rounder' of Columbus.
The fact of the matter is simply this.
AL. Martin was beaten in a most brutal
manner on New Years day by Ed.
Canty and another in the place of the
former. The assault was probably not
without some trivial cause, but did not
justify the use of such things as brass
kuuckles. billiard cues and stove pokers
on defenseless man. Martin took no
advantage whatever in his return en-
gagement with Canty. Nothing except
weapons provided by nature were used,
although Canty was supposed to carry
concealed weapons and had made re-
peated threats against the welfare of
Martin. Martin even asked him how
he was feeling before commencing
operations. AS your paper stated Canty
was knocked down, but was not injured
in terrific or insane manner. Very
few blows were administered and these
were desisted at the first request of JUS
tice Simpson, who happened to be near
the place where the men met.
As to Martin being a quarrelsome
fellow, no one can say so with justice
and truth. He has made his head
quarters in Columbus all winter and
has had trouble with 10 one except
Canty. The charge Of "rounder' is
fallibly unjust and untrue. During
the summer months Martin works at
his occupation of cowboy and invaria-
bly, has his money during the dull
months of winter. Any citizen of
Columbus can testify that Martin has
worked this winter when work was to
be had and was working at the time Of
his encounter with Canty and when lie
was styled "a rounder.' 1t is this un-
| NJ, hot of in
most deeply; not in regard to those
people who know him (they are better
informed,) but as to the opinion of
those who do not know him and whom
he may meet hereafter.
AS to the fine of $40 and costs being
very small; it only reflects the opinion
of the people and was met with univer-
sal appreciation. Justice Simpson
knew the facts of the case and took
them into consideration when he de-
livered his sentence.
This article is not a criticism Of
your interesting paper, but is just in
| tended to correct few facts that were
no doubt misrepresented to you. On
the strength Of the above article Mr..
Martin would be ostracised wherever
he would make himself known and as
it is certainly not true estimate of his
character it would do him only justice
if you will be kind enough to give this
article some of your valuable space.
That the scales of justice may bal
ance and that man may be known in
his true light is the only wish of
Lovers of Fair Play Among Colum-
bus Citizens.