The Billings gazette., 1899-08-01
STRETCHED HIS NECK
Robert Leavens and Party Have
an Experience with a
Horse Thief
GAVE HIM A LESSON
@: =: :; =: {: Forgotten

Robt, Leavens. a former citizen of
Fergus county, but of recent years one
Of the enterprising residents OF Billings
aud last year identified with troop M of
the rough riders, was in town last
week, bringing herd Of thoroughbred
bulls into this section for sale, says the
Fergus County Argus,
Mr.. Leavens details on interesting
story of his experience with would.be
horsethief Tuesday morning of last
week. The circumstances are such
that the fellow will not soon forget
how near he came TO death and it il
not likely that he will ever again cross
Mr.. Leavens' path.
Together with two men from Bill
ings, Mr.. Leavens had reached point
on Rock creek bench. some fourteen
miles distant from town on the Ubet
road, and there Ind cnmped for the
night. Aobut o'clock Tuesday morn.
ing Mr. Leavens was awakened by
some slight noise and looking up from
his bed saw what at first appeared to
be second horse standing near a
saddle horse which had been tied to q
telephone pole for the night. Upon q
second look, however, the object was
recognized as man in the act Of un
tieing the horse's picket rope. Mr..
Leavens awakened his companions and
started for the intruder, calling upon
him to let loose Of tho horse. The
fellow let 60 the rope and started to
rum, but was promptly headed off and
compelled to surrender. Taking him
back to the telephone pole he was tied
uncomfortably tight about the waist
and legs and an attempt was made to
draw from him his name and residence,
The attempts were unavailing, how.
ever, his only reply being that he was
from Lewistown, where he was en-
gagged IN saving wood and that his
name was Tom Shaw-evidently he had
known the sheriff
In his pockets was found small
knife and about $40 and he had
hatohet IN his belt. OF the weapons
he was relieved, but the money was re.
placed In his pockets The ropes were
pulled tighter and tighter until the
fellow asked his oaptors to kill him,
but was informed that the time had not
come for that yet, but not to get in a
hurry. After some time spent in
parleying and pulling the ropes, cne Of
the men suggested hanging him to the
pole and shortly he was in the air, but
as he asked time to pray he was let
down. Mr.. Leavens says he has heard
Methodist and Baptist preachers pray,
but he never heard one pray as that
man did. He asked permission to
kneel, but was refused, and continued
calling on tie Almighty God to forgive
his sins and accept his soul, which was
30 soon to take leave Of its earthly
frame. The men listened until quite
tired and then told him he must draw
bis prayers to close as the pro.
gramme was being interrupted. But
he pleaded for few moments more and
these were given him, his second
prayer being more fervent than the
first. There was no doubt IN his mind
that the game was about over, Mr..
LeaveDs says. Once, twice, three times
and still fourth his feet dangled in
the air and when it seemed he was
about exhausted, the rope was un.
fastened and he was given directions
how to get out Of the country, Mr..
Leavens informing him that If he ever
again met him, no matter where, he
would turn him over to the authorities.
Tho lesson was n wholesome one and IL
IL doubted whether he will again try
to steal horses or anything else.
Mr., Leavens describes the man as
about 40 years old, fairly tall, light
complexion, scattering light musatche,
square jawed, hang.dog look, very
dirty and withal very hard looking
individual, He wore canvas clothes.
From ranchers and stockmen of that
vicinity it is learned by Mr. Leavens
that small articles, such as TOOLS etc..
wire from fences brides aud other
property has been missed during the
past few months, and it is believed that
the fellows home is or has been in the
immediate vicinity of the scene of this
esoapade.
Many to whom Mr. Leayens has re-
lated the circumstances regret that he
did not complete the job, while Others
are anxious the man should be captured
and given u term IN the penitentiary,
" IL many years since Fergus county
has witnessed q hanging Of this nature,
II seems q pity some of Lewistown's
numerous camera fends were not there
TO take faw snap shots,
Roht, Leaveas returned home last
night from his trip to Fergus county,
He yeriaes the above report, with the
exception Of where 1t IL stated that the
w0uld'he hoFsethief was pulled up
from the Ggoaad by tho neck, This
they did not do, but they gave ths fol-
low a genuine good scare and one that
will probably teaeh him lesson,