The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1902-06-17

After a merry chase of over 1,400
miles, embracing all manner of dan
gers and hardships, Under Sheriff
Charles Therriault returned to Kalis-
pell Saturday night with Frank Rob-
erts, wanted by the authorities CT the
county on charge of cattle stealing.
The under sheriff left Kalispell three
weeks ago, and for two weeks he
was constantly in the saddle, riding
over a rough and inhospitable coun-
try, among people, a large share of
whom were but little better than the
man he was after and whose sympa-
thies were with the fugitive. That
he was successful in spite of all the
handicaps reflects great credit upon
the officers courage and determine
tion and he is entitled to the highest
praise.
Roberts is implicated in the Lang
cattle stealing cases and is thought
by some to be one of the ring leaders
in the deal At the time of his arrest
and, since that time Lang claimed
that he had purchased the cattle
found in his possession from Frank
Roberts and Joe Turner. He stated
that they drove them up from the
reservation, and that he had bought
them in good faith. An attempt was
made by the sheriff to catch the two
men, but they succeeded in eluding
the officers, and after a chase of
about three weeks, the search was
given up. This was several months
ago, and for long time no word was
heard of the men wanted, but the
authorities kept close watch on all
people interested in the case, and at
last obtained a clew.
About month ago letter from
Vale, Malheur county, Oregon, to Joe
Robinett, and signed Daily, fell into
the hands of the officers, and from
the contents they decided that it was
either from Roberts or some one who
was deeply interested in the rustling
cases. Robinett was under arrest at
the time charged with being impli-
Gated in the theft of the cattle. The
sheriff's officers consulted about the
matter, and Sheriff Hand decided
that it would bear investigation and
turned it over to Under Sheriff Their
riault, with instructions to run down
the clew. The utmost secrecy was
maintained and when the officer left
it was given out that he had gone to
his ranch Terriault took the train
to Ontario, Oregon, and from there
he went by stage to Vale. After leav-
ing the latter place, all his travelling
was done on horseback over noun
tains and sage brush plains.
Upon arriving at Vale, the officer
made application to the sheriff for a.
deputy who was familiar with the
country to accompany him, but on
account of the election being on at
the time, he could secure no help.
The sheriff was out campaigning and
the under sheriff told Therriault that
ne could deputize no one whom he
could trust, as the majority of the
inhabitants were apt to be in SYM
pathy with the criminal, and if he
would send a man the latter might
throw him off the scent. The country
is one great stock range, and Officer
Terriault for several days put in his
time inspecting the many outfits who
drove their stock to the railroad at
Ontario for shipment, but without re-
suit. The election being over, he Sc
cured the assistance of a deputy
sheriff and started out on his quest.
There are a few big cattle outfits
in that section and many small ones,
which prey upon the larger compan-
les and make away with their stock.
In view of this Officer Therriault did
not dare to make his identity known
to any but the big cattle men, who
aided him in every way.
Day after day, for more than two
weeks, the search was maintained
without result. Almost every outfit
was visited. but no trace could be
found of Roberts and Turner, and
the outlook was most discouraging.
The officer persevered, however, and
at last found clew that led to Rob-
erts' capture. Stopping at a little
camp one night the owner was en-
gagged in conversation, and told how
two men had been at his place break
ing horses, but had left three days
before Therriault's arrival, for a
sheep camp, where they had been