The Billings gazette., 1899-01-13
Judge Loud Will Enter on the
New Year in Billings
Next Monday.
BROOKS MURDER TRIAL
will Be the Most Important Cases.
Other Criminal Actions A
Long Term Expected.


to convene in Billings on next Monday,
the 18th inst. From the number Of
cases filed and those continued from the
November term, it will be an interest
ing as we'll as long term. AS usual,
civil cases will occupy the greater por-
ton of the session, but there are several
interesting criminal actions to be dis
posed Of.
Among them is that Of the state vs.
W. G. Brooks. charged with murder in
the first degree. Brooks. who is a
colored man, shot and killed his wife
in cold-blooded manner in this city
on the evening of November 18 last.
When arraigned in the justice court,
Brooks waived preliminary hearing and
stated that he didn't care how soon he
was hanged. Twice he had refused to
be interviewed. but yesterday he con-
sented to talk to Gazette reporter.
His manner has changed but little and
he will probably enter plea Of guilty
to charge Of murder in second degree
and receive sentence, which in that par
ticular will likely. be imprisonment for
life. He regrets the murder and said
that he realized too late what he had
done. He claims that he was out Of his
mind when the deed was committed
and says that his wife started the quar-
rel by first striking him with a stick
and then attempting to brain him with
a 1at-iron. He has not yet secured
counsel, although one of the attorneys
of the city has visited and consulted
with him. Brooks spends most Of his
time in reading his bible and praying,
and says the people may dispose OF his
body, but God will take care of his
soul.
The state VS.. Frank Savaresy, assault
in the first degree, is another Billings
case. This is the outcome Of the trou-
BILE in which the south side saloonkeeper
attempted to plug one Jack Coyne with
lead. Savaresy has retained F. H.
Hathhorn as his counsel
VIM. Munster will answer to a
charge Of forgery. He is accused of
forging the name of Father Van der
Pol Of st. Xavier mission to check on
the Thos Cruise bank for $50, the check
being cashed by Yegen Bros. It is said
that Munster acknowledged his guilt to
the officers when arrested, saying he
forged the check because he was dis.
charged from the mission. where he
had been working for a time. He was
formerly employed in this city at the
Northern Pacific lunch counter. He
will be defended by J. B. Herford.
The case Of the state VS.. Sylvester
Finn and Thos. Kindreade, burglary
in the first degree. comes from Laurel
These two men are charged with hav-
ing entered the house of an old lady,
Mrs. Miles, on the night of November
~ last, and at the point Of gun made
the lady hand over about $75 in money.
The new trial Of Austin North, on a
charge Of grand larceny, will be called
up at this term. The case. was con-
tinued from the November term on ac-
count Of the absence Of an important
witness, one F. F. Niehaus, who is at
Alpine, Mich. The county attorney
expected to have the witness present at
this term of court, but Mr.. Niehaus
says he has disposed Of his interests and
is living with his parents and does not
care to come back to Montana to testify
in the case Therefore the case will be
tried without him.
The city of Billings VS.. Fred John
son, the Western Union telegraph line
man, for maliciously and feloniously
cutting the trees around Fl. M. Allen &
Go. s place of business. will come up
before Judge Loud, an appeal having
been taken from the justice court.
johnson will be defended by o. F. God
dard, the company attorney.