The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-18
TRIED FOR ROBBERY
YOUNG MAN IN COURT ON A
SERIOUS CHARGE.
GOLD WATCH WAS STOLEN
Edward j. Williams the Defendant,
and Arthur Butler, an Engineer,
the Complaining Witness
Trial Occupies the Day.

Edward ]. William, a smooth shaver,
young man Of perhaps "a, was today
tried in Judge McClernan's court on a
charge Of grand larceny. The trial open
ed at 10 O'Clock, and was still in prog
ress at late hour this afternoon.
The jurors who tried the case were
as follows: Lemuel Batten. S. NJ. Will
son. James McManus, Henry kipp, j. H.
Burns, John Basher, r. T. Trtheway.
H. H. Markinson. John Hawke, ]. c.
Freeman, j. Coldwell and William Bel
ton.
Williams was accused Of stealing from
Arthur Z. Butler, locomotive engi-
neer Of the Oregon Short Line railroad,
a gold watch of the value of $50. The
larceny was alleged to have taken place
on the 9th of last July in the round
house of the railroad, in South Butte. 1t
was alleged also, that Williams took
the watch out of Buffers vest pocket as
the latter lay asleep.
The first witness was Butler. the man
who claimed to have been robbed. He
said he was an engineer. living at Lima,
Montana, and that he was in the Short
Line roundhouse at p. m. of July 9Th
awaiting an order to go on rum. He
took a nap in the rOundhOuSe.
Il had just fell asleep and had been
asleep only fw minutes when l was
walked up by some one Juggling at my
watch chain. 1 jumped to my feet and
this man Williams was Just getting
away with my watch. | called to him
and told him to give back the watch.
But he backed out of the roundhouse
door. He leveled a gun on me-" the wit
ness testified, land kept me back"
Butler went on to say that an engine
hostler named Brennan came in, and
Williams held them both at bay, while
he got out Of the house. They followed
him out of the place and told him to
give the watch up. He held them Off
with the gun and told them that he
had thrown it down. Brennan went
back and looked for the timepiece. while
Butler watched Williams, who was back
Ing away. Brennan did not find the
watch and came out again.
Williams ran across the Nort'H,rn Pa
citic tracks and Butler followed him.
Brennan went after an officer. Butler
pursued the fugitive to an old mill in
the vicinity, and Brennan brought Off
GER Loughran to the scene. A crowtA
the mill with the officers and the rail-
road men. Williams was found up in the
lilies" of the mill among the pulleys and
ore chutes and cogwheels.
Officer Loughran arrested him, and
Brennan and Butler identified him as
the man who held them off with the gun.
The witness said that when arrested
.,'illiams said, Il suppose because two
men say l stole watch you'll arrest
me, and T.. have to go to the pen." But
Ter said that Williams threw off his coat
and hat while running and put on a
skullcap, but that he was satisfied Of the
mans identity.
On crOss-examinatiOn the witness said
that it was, perhaps, five minutes from
the time Williams went into the mill
till the time he came out, and that there
We're about IL men in the building when
he entered
Mr.. Brennan cOrrOborated Buffers
story and positively identified the pris-
oner. He told how Williams had held
him with the gun and had said Don't
you move; don't you move" The watch
Brennan said, was found outside the
roundhouse door afterwards.
Officer Loughran said that when he
entered the old mill he saw Williams up
him to come down, after covering him
with a pistol. Williams descended and
the officer asked him how he came to
be aloft The defendant said that he
came to the mill with the crowd in pur-
suit of the man who stole the watch.
How did you get in?" asked the Of.
ticer.
by the back way" said Williams.
How did you get mud on your feet?'
the officer queried.
How did you get mud on your feet?"
the defendant returned.
II guess l got it following you,'
Loughran replied, and then he took Will
liams to Jail.
Officer Loughran told about finding a
hat and coat the next morning, which |
was introduced here as those of Will !
liams.
The defendant was represented by At
torneys Morrin and Lingenfelter. and |
the former stated, when his side of the |
case opened, that the defense would be !
mistaken identity; that it was another
man who stole Buffers watch.
Williams took the stand and swore
that he Joined the crowd pursuing the
thief and that he was innocent. He said
he was discharged Manila soldier, in
town with Norris animal show.
The hat in evidence had the label ana
names of Cans & Klein of Butte in it,
and Williams had never bought hat
here, having just reached town. The hat
he tried on in court and it did not =.
him. being too small.
The evidence was concluded at
O'Clock and Deputy County Attorney