Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-03-05
TROLLEY LINE
TO THE MOON
James Stephens of Trout Creek Be.
comes Mentally Deransed and
Writes a Peculiar Letter.
COMMITTED TO WARM SPRINGS
Was Well Liked and Respected In
the Community Where He Lived
Had a Few Head of Stock.

James Stephens, a well known
rancher from the head of Trout
creek, vas brought to the city yes.
terday for the purpose of having an
examination made as to his sanity.
He was brought in by Ed. Hart and
Chas. Clary, who swore to a com
plant which resulted in his being
taken before an insanity board con.
sisting of Judge Cheadle, DIR. f. F.
Attix and DR.. Atchison.
Ed. Hart, on being questioned by
the county attorney, said that
Stephens lived at the head Of Trout
Creek and was well thought Of by
the n~eighbors. He stated that Steph.
ems came to Garneill on Friday and
on Monday evening was taken in
charge by some of the citizens of
that place, owing to his strange be-
havior. Mr.. Hart said that he start
ed to wander off on the prairie, but
met Prof. Flint, who brought him
back to town. According to Mr.. Hart,
the unfortunate man was not violent
in his behavior at any time since he
had become mentally deranged, but
his rambling talk and strange be-
havior showed that he was mentally
unbalanced.
Chas. Clary said he saw Stephens
acting strangely first on Sunday ev-
ening and mentioned that he seemed
to be a little off on religion. He
also seemed suddenly attacked with
a desire for rapid horseback exercise
and walked around in a violent man
ner. stopping only to start a rambling
conversation with someone. Steph.
ems had told Mr.. Shells that he knew
he had something the matter with
his head. Mr.. Clary stated that
he had heard that Stephens had
wanted to kiss some of the ladies in
Garneill and acted in such a name
that the boys thought he had better
be placed in restraint.
The unfortunate man is a splendid
specimen of humanity, physically
speaking. and cen to have been
held in much respect in the locality
in which he has lived for the past
three years. BY hard labor he had
built up a home and gathered to.
gether a few head of stock before be-
ing attacked by his present malady,
and Judge Cheadle inquired If there
was any suitable person who could
be appointed to take charge of the
property and attend to it until Steph-
ems recovery. Mr.. Clary said that
Stephens was in all probability a ma.
tive of Canada. as he had a brother
from there visit him last summer.
He also stated that Stephens had a
partner who was working for b. c.
White. and who had been informed
OF his friends predicament and would
ir all probability be in Lewistown
today.
After conducting a thorough exam
ination of Stephens the doctors ad.
vised that he be sent to the asylum at
Warm Springs, where he could be
treated. and stated that the chances
for his complete recovery were far
better there than If he were treated
in Lewistown.
The Judge ordered him committed
t. the Warm Springs institution. but
told the sheriff to hold him in Lew
istown until the arrival of his
friend. who might be able to give
some information regarding the I'M
happy mans family. One striking pc.
culiarity exhibited by Stephens was
that he seemed to think everyone he
met was a near and dear relation.
He informed U~ndersherif Slater that
he was a no~ble-looking man and
greatly resembled his father. and
seemed very loath to let the sherifi
out of his sight.
The following communication. for
publication. was received at the
ARGUS office on January Both from
Mr.. Stephens:
Thoughts of summer from the
Snowy mountain foothills. Heriosm
would put on her finest robes were
the millionaires to give all their