The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-10-18
WHO AND D|SS|PA7EO
That Is the Reputation Given
Persinger at His Home.
BUT HE IS NOT VICIOUS
His Father Is O Highly Respected Citi-
zsn OF the McFall Neighborhood
in Missouri-whata Mis-
souri, Paper Says

Sheriff Conley has received from Con-
stable Jay Ballew of Gentryville, Mo-,
copy Of the Albany, MO-, Ledger,
containing an article regarding Ellis
Persinger, the third Of the Cullinane
murder suspects, and the one who is to
be tried in the district court Nov. p.
The paper was sent in response to
letter written to Ballew by Sheriff
Conley, which letter is embodied in
the article.
Under the head of I'm Bad Plight
"A Gentry County Man Under Arrest
for Murder in Montana" the Ledger
said on Oct. s:
ELLIS Persinger, who was raised in
the McFall neighborhocd and who is
well known in that part of the coun-
try, is under arrest at Anaconda,
Mont, on the charge Of murder.
"Persinger left McFall about four
months ago for the West and he had
not been heard Of until news came of
his arrest. He left wife and sew
eral children and rode away on horse
back, telling them he was going West
to make some money. When word
came back of his arrest, Jay Ballew,
deputy constable of Miller township,
who had received letter from the
sheriff Of Anaconda inquiring about
Persinger, wrote for particulars of the
arrest and crime, and the following
letter was received by him.
Anaconda, Mont, Sept. 10. 1S99.-
Jay Ballew, Gentryville. Mo-: Dear
Sir-I received your letter to-day ask
ing about this man Persinger. l have
no picture of him, but am satisfied
he is the man you speak of. About
the case he was arrested for l must say
it looks pretty bad for him right now.
They killed an old man, thinking he
had money on his person. Persinger
was not known in this country before
this crime. The other two men We're
known. They murdered this man COM
ing from his work about one-half mile
from his cabin, and they shot him
twice and took what money he had on
his person. which could not have been
more than $780, and also his watch.
Then they took the body about 300
yards and buried it in a gully and COW
cred it up. In three days after he was
missed one of my deputies found the
body. Clinton Dotson and Oliver Ben
son were suspected, SO We went to look
ing for them, and found them 12S
miles from here travelling to the Black
Hills We found Persinger With them,
watch in their traps in the wagon and
other things belonging to the man
they had murdered. Since then Oliver
Benson has made confession and says
this man Persinger was with them
when the old man was murdered. So
l have told you about all there is to
tell.
"Dotson's trial is set for the 9Th OF
next month and Oliver Bensons trial
is set for the 10th, and Persingers for
the 18th. They will all be tried for
murder in the first degree. OF course
man can't tell what a jury will do,
but it looks rather bad for the men
at this time. JACK CONLEY,
$ Sheriff Deer Lodge County
ELLIS Persinger is a son of John Per-
singer, one of the best known and
most respected citizens of the McFall
neighborhood. He has had some cor
respondence with his son, who claims
he is innocent, and was not with the
other men when the crime was com
mitted. Whether he can prove his in
nocence or not is another question,
among strangers. Mr.. Persinser had
announced that he would go out there
on the third Of the month to see what
he could do to help his son.
"Those who knew Ellis Persinger say
that while he was wild and dissip-
ated man and had not amounted to
much in any way, they do not believe
he was inclined to be criminal, and
that if he is really guilty it is the re-
suit OF being a drinking man and asso-
ciating with bad company"
AS stated previously, Mr.. Persinger
did not come out, having been advised
by his sons lawyers not to do SO, in
asmuch as a continuance, which con-
tinuance was made, was likely to be
ordered.
1t is possible that the elder Persinger
may secure additional counsel for his
sons defense and that he will be here
at the time of the trial. The low
spirits which came upon the prisoner
Persinser when Dotson was convicted
and Benson pleaded guilty are. still
with him
san suit nf Fnrlish or French dag