The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1903-03-21
Prisoner Once a Promi-
nent Citizen and Had
Much Money.
SHOT OVER HIS HEAD
Then Followed Him Until
Relieved of Prisoner
By Officer.

At the point of revolver Mrs. Arthur
G. Miller held thief at bay until the po-
lice arrived this morning Mrs. Miller,
whose husband is manager of the local
telephone exchange, fred a shot over the
mans head when he entered the yard
regardless Of her warning.
Then, with the weapon in her hand, she
followed him through the streets from
her home at II8 East Granite street to
the high school grounds. There she kept
watch Of him until he was taken into
custody by Policeman Smith.
Mr.. and Mrs. Miller live with Mrs.
Miller's mother, Mrs. Nixon. During the
past year their home has been in litiga-
ton. This caused temporary absence
until the district court again restored Mrs.
nixon to possession short time ago.
During the absence of the family thieves
entered the yard and house and many
articles of minor value we're carried away.
When the family returned the thefts
kept up. 1t became almost impossible TO
leave blankets or clothing hanging on the
line unless some one kept sharp watch on
them. A number Of morphine fends who
live in the neghborhood were suspected.
Once Wealthy.
This morning Gerser, or Richardson,
who is known to the police as a user OF
the drug, came to the rear door and asked
for a stove which was lying in the back
yard. The man at one time was wealthy.
He is an old resident of Montana and
years ago is said to have owned much
real estate in Helena. During late years
ha hoe fallen victim, ~ ,norpbina nd
has been found in the company OF fends
and petty thieves.
His request for the stove which is
valued at $40 or $I2, was refused. He
entered the yard few minutes later with
and started to load the stove on a small
hand sled. Mrs. Miller called out to him
70 stop. Instead of doing so he kept on
Picking up a revolver which she has kept
in the house lately, Mrs. Miller went to the
back yard and ordered the man out He
paid no attention to her warning She
discharged the weapon in the air to
frighten him. He then turned and started
TO walk away. Telling her mother to no
tify police headquarters by telephone, she
started after him. She followed Gerser
to the high school grounds. There he
oioppNb, tht WbHidu, WIN IC-
volver, kept watch on him until the police
man arrived
In all probability charge will be sworn
out before the county attorney against
Gerser this afternoon.
Did Not Shoot to Hit.
81 did not want to hit him when I
shot" said Mrs. Miller in telling of the
occurrence this morning. II simply wished
to frighten him. We had been bothered
great deal by thieves, and this man was
simply determined to walk off with that
stove after had told him to let it alone
II knew when he started away that
he would try to hide in the high school
grounds, and followed him to keep watch
on him until an officer arrived"
Eyes" interposed Mrs. Nixon, "but Mrs.
Miller held the man with the revolver
until the police came"
Mrs. Miller, after modestly trying to
disclaim this fact, reluctantly acknowl-
edged that the thief would have escaped
in all probability had she not kept watch
over him.