The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-11-13

What has become OF Fenton, who was
with the Call for so long?" asked Brad
ley. as he leaned back from the table
and prepared to I'LL his pipe
Fenton. responded one of the boys,
why, he's down East. In H, think"
naming one Of the larger Eastern cities.
That's right, returned Jordan, ''he APP
pointed himself chief of detectives Of
H shortly before the last mayor as
about $4,000 year."
Appointed himself" exclaimed
How in the world did he do that. Not
that doubt he had sufficient nerve to do
it. but there must be good story in it.
Give it to us Jordan
Yes replied Jordan. there is a good
story to it. He wrote me of the deal
about a year ago and told me if the story
ever got out he would 'vag' me the first
time l landed in HI. However, don't
see my way clear to getting there during
his term Of four years, so 1 VIII tell you
how it was.
Elected by Church Members.
~ uCSh with YOU iuuSl UNDERSTAND
that the mayor-elect was a reform man.
He had been nominated and elected on
the democratic ticket, but it was the solid
business men and church people that
gave him the votes that landed the
office.
The mayor-elect was not a young
man. nor was he exactly wise one. in
some things. In the first place he was
fond Of good living. and always kept his
cellar supplied with choice wines.
However. no one. outside Of few in
Inmates, had ever seen him intoxicated,
and the prevalent opinion was that he
was exceedingly temperate.
AT times, however. under the benign
influence OF good dinner, followed by
a good cigar. he had been known to be-
come pretty We'll intoxicated.
"Fenton's paper had been boosting his
candidacy and F'enton, who was doing
police work at the time, was familiar
with a great many of the intentions OF
the nayor-elect in regard to the distribu-
tion of patronage.
In fact, he had compiled lot of the
appointive offices and the men slated for
them, and taking them to the mayor
elect. asked him if they We're correct.
List Entirely Correct.
The mayor to-be said the list was 0.
X. but asked Fenton not to publish 1t.
If he would hold on to it until the mayor
gave him the word, he. the mayor. would
keep it frOm the other papers as far as
possible. Fenton agreed to this.
There was one office on the list for
which there We're numerous candidates,
but no man had been shown any favor in
regard to it. 1t was the office of chief Of
detectives. Fenton asked the mayor
about it and he replied that he had not
as vet decided upon man.
*~""Fhe man who was filing the position
was good man. but he was not at all
satisfactory to the new mayors constitu-
en,s. 1t was thought he stood in with
the gang too we'll to be honest in the
performance Of his duties.
Things ran along until the Saturday
before the Inauguration, which was to
occur on Wednesday. and Fenton decided
to look the incoming mayor up and ascer-
tain if possible who was to be chief of
detectives.
Invited to Supper.
He found the mayor-eect in the lobby
of one of the principal hotels and the
latter suggested that as he had not as
vet had supper, that they retire to one
of the grill rooms and have cold bottle
and a small bird FentOn, nothing loath,
agreed.
"They partook of an excellent supper,
and the mayor-elect began to order wine
rather freely.
Fenton played his cards we'll and par
took sparingly of all liquid refreshments.
About 1880 Fenton was becoming
anxious to get back to his office.
al at
the world. He was in that enjoyable