The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-02-04
SERIOUS ENDING OF QUARREL
BETWEEN NElGHRoRs.
FOR DRIVING ACROSS FIELD
Charles Wyman Resents Trespass BY
William Martin Oakley and
Uses Gun.
Saturdays Daily Gazette.

FROM saturday S Daily Gazette.
William Martin Oakley, who lives
On a ranch on Blue creek, about five
miles from the city, is lying at ST.
Vincent's hospital suffering from the
effects of a bullet wound in his left
shoulder, inflicted by Charles Wy
man, a %neighbor.
The shooting occurred Thursday at
ternoon and the wounded man was
brought to the. city late that night.
The shooter was arrested yesterday
afternoon by Sheriff Hubbard and also
brought to town and arraigned before
Judge Fraser. His bond was fixed at
$500 and he was released to appear for
preliminary hearing February II. A
J. Gilsdorf and r. w. Clark are the
sureties.
Only one side OF the controversy
has been heard so far, that of the
wounded man, who makes it appeal
that the assault was entirely unpro-
voked and without any j%ustifying Cir
cumstances attending it. On behalf
OF the defendant it is alleged that it.
was a case Of self-defense, although
this statement is made second hand,
as Wyman, acting on instructions
from his attorney. declines to say any
thing.
Oakley Version of Affair.
AS near as can be learned the men
had some slight trouble early in the
week, growing out of the name in
which Oakley is alleged to have abus-
ed a team of horses he was driving
and for which Wyman is said to have,
called him to account, saying that if
he did it again he would have him ar
rested. The immediate cause of the
shooting, however, was a dispute they
a concerning an alleged trespass by
Oakley in driving through Wyman's
field.
Oakley. who lives on the Cooper
ranch, had been engaged in hauling
wood for S. w. Soule and as one part
Of the road which he was compelled,
to travel was considered unsafe be-
u Of its slippery condition where
it winds around a hill, he started to
arive across Wyman's ranch. He
either lost control of his horses or
the wagon slipped. but in some man
ner a post was broken and some of
the wire torn loose. While he was
trying to eXtricate his team and
~straighten out matters. Oakley alleges
Wyman came up to where he was and
ordered him off the place. Oakley
claims he told Wyman that he would
so at once and not t~respass on his
premises any more; also that he
would repair the renee, but that Wy
mar ordered him to turn around and
g! back the same way he had come
n began to flourish a revolver. Oak
ley says he attempted to turn his
team and while so engaged Wyman
continued to threaten him with the
weapon and declaring that he would
shoot. Oakley sought to dissuade
him from using his pistol, but Wyman
repeated that he would show him he
was not afraid to shoot, but seemed,
o have some trouble in working his
revolver. Finally the weapon appear
ed to work and Wyman fired three
shots, one of which took effect.
Oakley was accompanied by a son
IT Mr.. Cooper and he assisted him
% his home and later some of the
%neighbors brought him to town.
Mr.. Cooper. owner of the ranch on
which Oakley lives. told a Gazette
eporter that an understanding exist
ed between himself and Wyman by
which they had driven across one an
Gther's ranches because of the almost
impossible condition of the road in
several places, and that it was in ac-
tordance with this understanding
hat Oakley had attempted to drive
through the Wyman field. He also
aid that Wyman was inclined to be
.uarrelsome and easily excited and
lad had frequent trouble with his
a,eighbors.
Oakley's wound, while painful, is
rot considered serious, althoughitmay
~esult in a slight tanning of the
shoulder.
Self Defense Alleged.
No attempt was made by wyman to
scape after the shooting and when
heriff Hubbard arrived at his place
esterday afternoon he said he was
inst preparing to come to town and
urrender himself. He told the sher-
II that Oakley had made the first asl
ault and that he shot to protect him-
ELF.