Red Lodge picket. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1889-1907, 1901-07-12
A MYSTERIOUS MURDER
Paint Greek Rancher Killed at His Cabin
and His Body Thrown Into 4
Washout,
FOUND BY HIS BROTHER
The Terrible Crime Was Doubtless Com
nitted While the Victim Was Pre-
pairing Evening Meal.

Murdered while cooking supper and
his body thrown into washout tells the
story of the recent mysterious disap
pearance of Sam Courtsen, a bachelor
rancher Of Paint creek, Wyo., about
fifty miles south Of Red Lodge.
Two weeks ago Courtsens S brother left
the ranch, which is situated at the foot
Of Bald ridge, four miles this side eof John
Chapmans place, and went to James
Hogans sheep camp to assist in shear
ing operations On his return a few
days later he found the cabin deserted
and the horses picketed and nearly
famished for want Of food and water
Further investigation revealed Il pot of
rice partly cooked on the stove and a
batch Of light bread dough in mouldy
state. AS it was the habit Of the broth
ers to have rice and light bread for their
evening meal, and as these things were
found in stages Of preparation, the con
clusion Is reached that Courtsen met
death while preparing supper and that
the foul crime was committed two or
three days prior to his brothers. return
home.
In looking around the premises the
brother discovered that fire had been
built Just outside the cabin and in the
ashes he found pieces of partly burned
wearing apparel that did not belong to
either himself or the missing man. All
these things aroused suspicion of foul
play and this suspicion was further ex-
cited by the fact that suit Of clothes
was missing from the cabin and the
finding of his brothers blood stained
hat. The rifle which hung in the cabin
was also gone from it's accustomed place
and was found lying on the ground Just
inside the flap of the tent which was
pitched near the house.
A shearching party was organized and
the surrounding country was secured for
several days without avail. just as the
search was about to be abandoned the
party made a ghastly discovery by find
ing the dead body Of Courtsen lying in a
washout not a great distance from the
cabin. 1t was partly covered with rocks
and blood spots were found leading from
the house to the ravine. A critical ex-
of the surroundings showed
the foot marks Of three persons, one of
whom wore about a No. 10 boot. 1t
was found that the body had been partly
dragged and partly carried to the place
Of concealment and it is reported that a
spot was found near the house showing
that a bloody shovel or axe or something
had been wiped on the grass and sand.
1t IS not known here at this writing
whether the dead man had been Drained,
but it is stated that he was shot through
with rifle ball, which entered his side
under the arm. The supposition IS that
he was shot to death while he had his
arms raised to his head to ward off
blow.
A coroner's inquest conducted by Big
Horn county authorities was held, but
no particulars of the findings have yet
reached this city. No cause can be
assigned for the murder, neither is there
any tangible clue TO the identity Of
the perpetrators of this seemingly un-
provoked crime. 1t is reported that the
sheriff of Big Horn county is on the
scene endeayoring to find some trace Of