The Topeka state journal., 1902-01-30
MONTGOMERY's KILLING.
Geo. W. Miller, of Ranch 1o1, Tells
His Side of the Story.

Bliss. Okla, Jan 3O.-Regarding the
killing of George c. Montgomery, the
Atchison, Topeka & Santa F'e railroad
detective, at Winfield, October ., lSO1,
George w. MilleH president OF Rancn
1O1 Live Stock company, says: We are
as anxious as any person for the truth
regarding the killing to be known, pul
we do not care to be injured by unWar-
ranted statements In our opinion tlle
Santa Fe railroad company is respon-
sible for many of the false statements
that have been given to newspaper
correspondents. Our differences with
this corporation are of long standins
and fully known to our friends. Ordi-
nariIy the courts are proper places 10
settle grievances, but in this case we DO
not feel that, in justice to ourselves
Santa Fe railroad company, to arouse
public sentiment against us by circu-
lating false and harmful stories.
The papers print story from
hangman at Fort Smith, Ark. This is
untrue Coffelt never saw man
hanged in his life and was never at
Fort Smith. The statement that the
station agent at Winfield sold Johnson
a ticket to Bliss on the Monday follow
ing the killing of Montgomery is also
untrue. We believe that the station
agent swore to a falsehood: 1t can De
proved by reliable persons that johnson
came to Bliss Sunday and was not at
winfield at all Monday. Efforts have
been made to get other persons to give
false testimony. which will be shown at
the proper time
THE "OTHER SIDES" STORY:
81 wish to correct other errors which
shall do by repeating statement
previously made in reply to an article
written some time ago.
% of the dead speak nothing but good
is a maxim we do not wish to violate.
No one condemns the coWaroIy asSassi-
nation of this Isian more than we ~
Z far4 hnvVaN0T must be stated In
Justice to the living.
I'm the first place. speaking of Mont
gomery whipping J. c. Miller. Miller
and Montgomery met in Perry, Ok,
and had some words, Miller denouncIng
| Montgomery, who made no effort to re-
sent it. Miller turned around and was
talking to another when Montgomery
| struck him one blow with his fist from
| behind Miller was unarmed, except IoI
| a small pocket knife, which he pulled
| and started for Montgomery, who ran
| pany of an officer until the train left
| fearing that Miller would do him some
| bodily harm Miller was advised to nave
him arrested, but declined, saying he
1 would not settle his difficulties In thai
| way. but would on first chance meet
| Montgomery as man to man ana setue
Now, as to the cowboy incident thai
| happened at Bliss. Three of our cow
| bows happened to be at the depot wher
! the train came in, not one of them haV-
/ ing the least idea that Montgomery wa:
| on the train, and not one OF them hay-
| ing a weapon of any kind. AS the trair
| stopped. Montgomery. who was on tht
/ rear platform, saw them and stepped on
on the depot platform, pistol IN eacf
| hand. covering these unarmed men anc
| saving he had heard they were looking
| for him One of the boys told him hs
| was a coward and without nerve, anf
| dared him to shoot. They told him they
were unarmed, but any one or then
| would whip him if he would put dowI
| his guns
.sOn another occasion Montgomer!
| got off the train at Bliss when the onl.
| person connected with 101 rancn wn
has at the depot was myself. a mai
| over so years of age, who was entirel.
| unarmed; Montgomery and 1 had som
words. and just as the train was pulling
ont this brave man pulled out his ever
ready six-shooter and struck me saw
age blow on the head and jumped ol
the already moving train
Now for the facts about holding u
| q freight train The very small basi