The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-08-12
SHEEPHERDER AT COLUMBUS
ON THE WARPATH.
SAYS IT WAS ACCIDENTAL
Fires Shot at Opponent But Misses
Pays Fine for Third De-
gree Assault.
From Friday Daily Gazette.

From Friday s Daily Gazette.
Although he has long passed the
meridian of life, Frank casey, who is
employed as a sheepherder by p. A.
Cassidy of Columbus, is still full Of
fight and when he believes himself
wronged is not slow in enforcing what
he considers to be his rights even to
the extent of bringing a weapon into
use. 1t is this p%roneness to violence
which has got him into serious trou-
BILE several times, once about eight
years ago, when he was tried in this
city for having killed a man. The
evidence showed justification and he
was acquitted. Now he is again in
the tolls because of the readiness
with which he resorts to the revolver.
This morning he was brought down
by Constable Carleton, charged with
attempted murder.
Because of his age and attendant
physical infirmities Casey is not able
to walk much and uses a horse to herd
with. Yesterday he had occasion to
go to Columbus and rode his horse.
Feed on the other. side Of the river,
where the sheep were being held that
he had in charge, having become
scarce, it was decided to look for a
new camp and Casey told his employ
er that he might take his horse to
ride over the country and when
through with the animal to leave it at
the livery stable in Columbus. Mr..
Cassidy used the horse, but instead
of taking it to- the barn himself sent
it by a man named Scott. Casey, who
had been drinking freely, saw Scott
riding his horse and concluded that
he was trying to steal it. He follow
overlook him and ordered him to dis
mount. Some words ensued, and, it is
alleged, Casey drew his revolver and
struck Scott with it Over the head.
Scott dismounted and, so witnesses
declare, Casey attempted to shoot
him, pressing the weapon against his
stomach. Scott grasped the revolver
and pushed the muzzle to one side.
just as the weapon was discharged.
Constable Carleton witnessed the
fracas, being nearby, and running
where the men were engaged in the
scuffle attempted to disarm Casey.
Enraged at Scott and drunk also,
Casey, so the constable says, tried to
shoot him and would have succeeded
but for the fact that Carleton slipped
his hand under the hammer Of the
pistol and it descended on the fieshy
part between the thumb and fore
finger.
Seeing that he could not overcome
Casey without using force, the con-
stable struck him a blow along side
of the mock and laid him out. He then
secured the revolver and locked Casey
up, keeping him in Jail until this
morning, when he brought him to
town and took him before Judge
Fraser. . -@rt= -- .
When the facts were stated to Coun-
ty Attorney Hathhorn, supplemented
by telephone advices from Columbus
and requests to be as lenient with
the aged prisoner as possible, as the
difficulty into which he had gotten
himself was the result of a drunken
mans prank, it was decided to pre-.
fer a charge of assault in the third
degree against Casey. To this he
pleaded guilty and the court impos-
ed a fine of $40 and costs, amounting
in all to $3.50.
A friend was at hand and promptly
paid the amount, after which Casey
was discharged and said he would re-
turn TO Columbus on the first train
and behave himself in future.