Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-03-21
lar with the facts as given out at the

a With the facts as given out at the
time and amply corroborated.
sherman, not deeming II safe to-
keep the men In the poor jail at For
syth, took them to Billings the day
after capture and the next night
Waite overlook him.
sherman was sent back over the
trail to find the bodies and look
after the sheep. When captured both
Jimmy and Fisher told Sherman
that they did not know what had
been lone with the bodies; that Billy
had driven over n hill with them the
night they reached the Musselsbell
and when he returned told them. in
response to inquiry, that IL was
none OF their business what DISPOSE
ton had been made al the remains,
that he was running the job. Not
until long after did Jimmy confess
that the remains had been burned.
Sherman was of the impression that
the bodies had been dumped into the
river doubtless recalling the wilbur
affair." and n careful search WINS made
hut without result. When finally
the place where "A big fire had been
made wHs found and there being
other evidence Of burning, the bed of
the river was searched and n number
Of bones. buckles and other indie
structible matter was found, which
was placed in CHASTITY cvidcnceat the
trial. sherman went overthch bloody
trails with Smith and Lewis. and
found cluts Of blood, pieces Of quilt
ing and many other such reminders,
all uf which he brought to Lewis.
town aud which will figure In the
trinls of Fisher and Jimmy Calder
soon to he held, AZ they did when
Billy was convicted and Fisher first
tried aud convicted.
Sheriff Waite hearing that there
might he IN effort To- lynch the pris-
oncrs should he return them through
the country where Mclica and Allen
were well known, took the boys To
Helena and thence to Benton, from
where they were brought 10 Lewis
town 10y coach. arriving here about
midnight Of October 10th, Only
Billy was ironrd, the two younger
boys not making any trouble. Shcr
man had made every effort 20 gain
from Jimmy all the facts OF the crime
while ut ForsS III and was partially
successful. While there billy secured
some writing material through the
Jail window from n woman living
= near by and wrote n letter dated nj
Miles city and reading sheriff, Turn
| them boys loose. they haven't done
? anything. Y. Mcliea." This letter
/, he gave to Jimmy and told him Ia
mail il, hut Jimmy gave 1t to Sher'
! mun.
r While en- route from Helena Billy
= told Jimmy that II he could get n
= good chance he would fix Waite and
he doubtless would have done 1t had
opportunity afforded
< Such is the story of this terrible nj
4 fair ns the facts came out at the time
OF trial, March. ISIS.
@ Too much credit cannot he giver
JEFF Sherman for his part In the pro
ccc1ing. In many states of Thu
: Union the posse would have made
short work of three such criminals
but not so this man and his assist
Il ants. At every point he protected
l. them from violence and acted asonll
n man nf sound Judgment and wei
r balanced character. His reward
e from the county was trivial, beinl
only his expenses, but the people %
Fergus county have ielt that In Dir
= Sherman there was n man fit I,
.e handle criminal matters with Ger
tainty and discretion. Some eastern
t papers have tried to make 1t appen
r that the men were In danger of bein,
II lynched. hut at no time was thei
IL the slightest inclination to take th
n cnse out of the hands Of the courts
II though IL justice should fail To over
N take each and every member II eel
z tainly would have the effect of cnu'
II ing many To favor recourse Ia sure
q methods In another such lnstanc,
., For which little blame could be al
tached.