Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-03-28

could have walked several steps with
out falling from the effect Of the
wound in the back. The wound In
the head would have thrown him
forward on his face, as deceased was
found. He also testified in corrobo-
ration OF Moule as to the footprints,
of which he made examination at the
time In company with Ender-Sheriff
Simons.
WILBUR ROLLING.
Witness, a bright-looking lad OF II
years, and son uf the deceased. made
very good appearance, answering
promptly and clearly. lie said that
his fathers horse came back to the
house riderless the morning Of the
murder and that he saddled his pony
aId led the other horse back, believ-
ing il had broken away from his
father. He passed Bert March on the
way, March being engaged in work
ing in the field. From distance he
saw an object where he knew bis
father was working, and upon ap-
preaching found his papa dead. He
called him and received no answer.
He went within ten feet Of the body
and saw his fathers hat in the mud
and shovel near by. He then re-
turned to the house and informed his
mother, who later. in company with
Downs and himself. went back to
where the body lay. On cross-exam-
ination Mr.. Cort made the first at
tempts to show that there was so
much water In the vicinity of the
body that IL was impossible to de-
tect footprints clearly, but the boy
said there was not much water there.
GEORGE PIRRIE.
Mr.. Pirrie agreed with previous
witnesses as to Howell's and Roz-
ling's employment and the scene Of
the murder. He saw, Howell on tho
evening OF the 26th, Howell's face be-
ing very badly beaten, his eyes black
ened and his lips cut and swollen.
Howell had told him of scrap with
Rolling. but made no threat what.
ever. The morning OF the 9th How
ell had asked him II he was needed To
help brand, and being told not, How
ell had gone about his business OF
attending to irrigation. He had not
seen any gun, but Howell had often
taken weapon and had frequently
brought In small game. lie said he
had owned horse, roam In color,
and that the horse was In the barn
previous to the 27th. He missed the
horse that afternoon and the gun at
night; had also missed a saddle and
bride about O'Clock In the after
noon. He was branding In the cor
raj when Meule came and informed
him Of trouble, which was the first
he had heard of IL. He owed Howell
about $3.50 and had not paid IL until
after Howell was tnken into custody,
when 1t was sent to- Sheriff Snaw.
He said there were six men at the
house The night Of the 26th, but he
knew of no man by the name Of Lam
son. The cross.examinatlon empha-
sized the severity ui Ilowell's wounds
from his encounter on the 18th.
MRS. THos. RozLING.
Mrs. Thos. Rolling is the widow oi
deceased and now lives in MIssouln.
Has two children, girl %, nine years
and son Wilbur. She learned Of her
husbands death about $3.50 a. m.
from her boy, whose testimony re-
garding return of horse she corrobo-
rated, and also that part concerning
her visit to the scene. Rolling had
left the house for the fields Mt about
G:3O. Mr.. Cort spared her crOss-ex-
animation. She II II very pleasant
looking young woman, quiet and
modest, and dressed In black. Az
she left the stand she looked severely
upon the defendant and he watched
her closely, fear being expressed in his
demeanor.
wM. f. WILLIAMSON.
Witness got to Pirrie's ranch from
Billings on the night OF the 2Gth. Saw
Howell at bunk house next morning
loading rifle. ThecrOss-examinatiOn
was only regarding wounds on How
ellis face. On redirect he said he had
overheard Howell ask Plrric on the
9th II he was needed that day to help
brand.
l.. T.. sTIGEN.
Mr.. Stlgen's ranch was situated be-
tween portions OF Moule's and Pr
rie's fields. On morning OF 9th he
saw man going from toward Pirrle's
In direction OF alfalfa field, and later