The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-14
ANACONDA NEWS.
THEY ATE HORSE STEAKS
And Now the People of Helmville
Are Up in Arms.
BOUGHT IT FOR GOOD BEEF
Frank Hart Butchered an Old Cayuse
and Peddled the Flesh to Relieve
His Financial Dlstress-Now
He Is in Jail.
BOUGHT 1T FOR GOOD BEEF

Singularly unfortunate are the peo-
nle of Helmville. First they had small
pox and now they have had horse
steaks and roasts for breakfast, dinner
and supper. Helmville people cannot
near a horse neigh nowadays without
having an intestinal disturbance and
placing their hands on their stomachs.
It Is all because of the financial dis
tress of Fred Hart that this is so.
Mr.. Hart is a resident of Helmville.
The passing of Thanksgiving and the
approach of the glad Yuletide brought
no joy to his bosom. He was "broke."
Night after night he lay awake pom
derlng on his misfortunes and seeking
TO hit upon plan to raise money.
FINALLY bright idea struck him. He
acted upon it.
In passing through Helmville some
time ago a party Of campers had left
horse at Harris place, It having
played ont" He had waited patient
ly for the campers to return and claim.
the animal, but they had failed to APP
pear. To sell the horse was impossi-
Bile, for horses of that character are
not in demand at this season and,
not belong to him. But meat is high
in Helmville and the stories Hart had
read of horse meat having been sold
for beef came into his mind
One dark night the horse was muir
dered. Secretly and alone Hart butch
cred the animal, skinned it, cut ii in
quarters and buried or burned the hide.
head and hoofs. The next day he load
ed the meat upon his wagon and ped
died it about town at cents a pound
las beef. Now beef at Z cents pound
in Helmville is rare thing, hence the
ra mi 10 h,.rt Ior. If
County Commissioner Geary, laid in a
supply of so pounds. Adrian Pritch-
ard, proprietor of the hotel at Helm
Vile, bought some and other residents
followed suit.
Presently the populace began to MUIR
muir. Where had Hart secured this
beef? How was it he was selling it
for cents a pound? Then some of
the meat was eaten. 1t didn't taste
right and it didn't look right.
Hart was questioned. He admitted
the flesh was not beef, but said it was
elk. eek meat doesn't look like that
and doesn't taste like that" was the
indignant response of the citizens.
Where is that old horse?" suddenly
demanded one victim.
That's it," said another the idea
communicating itself rapidly. you've
killed that horse and sold him to us
for beef"
Well" said Hart sullenly, "if you
don't like that meat here is your mon
| ey back Take it and keep your
| mouths Shut
+, But they wouldn't keep their mouths
! ehut Mr.. Pritchard and his boarders
/ heard the truth and lamentations were
! loud about that hotel. Every one who
! had purchased or eaten of the bogus
beef was told speedily of the imposi-
! ton. A druggist would have had a
hard time trying to sell emetics in that
! town about that time
! When the victims had sufficiently re-
| covered Hart was arrested. Adrian
Pritchard was the complainant. When
! Hart was taken before the justice of
/ the peace, T. B. ManniX, he confessed
| his guilt. The court was merciful and
! gave him a sentence of only Is days
in the county jail. Deputy Sheriff Tom
Mullin brought the man in from Helm
/ Vile.