Fergus County argus., 1903-04-08

Beidler sprung into a blackboard
and started out on a hunt for the bad
man. On the road he learned that
the man for whom he was searching
was ahead, making his way down the
Yellowstone afoot. with Winchester
on his shoulder. Beidler drove leis-
urely along and, coming up with his
man, invited him to climb in and take
a ride.
The invitation was accepted. and
in the conversation that followed the
man confided to his host that he was
looking for that ID X. Beidler."
and intended to kill him on sight.
Beidler said he was acquainted with
the man himself and would point him
out to his guest II he got chance.
After little while BiedIer asked his
companion to drive awhile, as he was
tired of holding the lines. The man
compiled with the request, when Beid-
Ter quietly pulled his gun and COM
manded the man TO surrender. The
bad man submitted with what little
grace he could command and was TAX
en- to Fort Keogh and delivered into
the hands OF the civil authorities.
This peculiar manner of dealing
with the toughest characters was Pc
culiarly Biedleresque. He never be-
came excited. and was apparently SUI
premely Indifferent under the most
trying circumstances. He was splen-
didly fitted for work that required
superb nerve and skill, and he ap-
pcared never TO be better suited than
when engaged in some hazardous en-
terprlse, His trustworthiness and
honesty OF purpose were never brought
into question. Knowing the pioneer
to be possessed of these qualities In
an eminent degree, and that he was
brave and cautious withal. the Wells
Fargo Express company engaged him
as messenger to guard the treasure
shipped from Helena to Corinne in
the early days.
Fooled the Road Agents.
Beidler was never molested by road
agents while acting in the capacity
OF messenger. On one occasion
great amount of gold dust was to be
sent out. and the fact was discovered
that everybody seemed to be aware
of the shipment. despite the efforts
Of the agents Of the company to keep
II secret. Beidler said never a
word until the day arrived for the de-
parture of the treasure coach. when
he told the agent to hold the dust
over for one day.
This proved good advice. for the
coach that was to carry the dust was
held up and robbed near Snake river.
The robbers. however, got little of val
ne. Next day Beidler safely took the
treasure to Corinne. When at Snake
river Beidler received dispatch
from Theodore Tracy, the agent at
Salt Lake, as follows:
"Beidler, why in hell amt you there
when our coaches are robbed?
Beidler wired the following charac-
teristic reply:
why in hell don't they rob them
when | am there?"
On arriving at Corinne Beidler was
not In very good humor and he in
formed the agent that he thought he
would quit and go down to Salt Lake
to see Tracy. He saw Tracy and the
agents first words were:
We'll, X. you got my dispatch"
And you got my answer" X. re-
piled.
"Yes, and II was just as good as
sent. What are you doing down
here?"
I've quit" said Beidler.
"Oh, go on back to work: I'll raise
your wages" was the reply of the
agent.
Beidler returned to his duties, and
II Is a matter of common knowledge
that he never lost q treasure for the
Wells-Fargo people during the entire
time he rode on the coach as mes.
senger between Helena and Corinne.
Beidler resigned his position as
messenger to accept situation with
A. J. Simmons. then government In
dian agent at Fort Peck, on the Mis-
souri, river He remained there until
Simmons successor took charge of
the office, when he returned to Hell
ena. He then went east to spend the
winter with relatives and friends. 1t
was his first visit TO the old home in
many years and he enjoyed II to the
full. In the summer following he re-
turned 10 Montana. where he was des-
tined TO spend the remainder OF his
days among the friends and compan-
ions that he loved, and where the
more thrilling acts of his life had be.
come known of all men. and his name
had become household word.
He was a man whose character and
achievements for the upholding of the
lew and order have become historic.
While he hated crime intensely and
believed In suppressing 1t with a
strong hand, he was moved with COM
passion at the call OF distress, and he
gave all he had with a generous and
noble heart.
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