The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-02-06
CHESTER cLEGG PROVES DEcID-
EDLY WILLING PRISONER,
STANDS NOT ON FoRMALITY
Valves Extradition and Gladly Ac.
companies Sheriff-WiI Estab-
Iish His Innocence
rom Thursdays Daily Gazette.

N
For a man under arrest on a charge
of felony and awaiting deportation
back to the eel of his alleged
crime, the conduct of Chester Clegg
today when confronted by Sheriff
Black, the Minnesota officer sent af-
ter him, was indeed remarkable The
two are old a-cquaintances, Clegg hav-
ing been born in the little town of
Luve1ne in which the sheriff has spent
the greater part of his somewhat long
life. No sooner did he see the officer
ly gYasped the hand extended to him,
while at the same time expressing
the greatest satisfaction at the abil-
ity to go back and establish his con-
uinually protested innocence. When
asked if he would return without a
requisition he said he would, as he
had no reason for dreading the fu-
ture; that he had committed no crime
and would, when the time came, prove
this to the world, while also showing
up the mes who were really guilty.
While not inclined to talk about
the case, Sheriff Black stated that al
though things might look dark for
the young man just now and at this
distance, he hoped a mistake had been
made, as until the present charge
against him Clegg had always borne
an excellent reputation and he and
his brother had been regarded as most
exemplary young men. A peculiar
phase of the matter is that the youth,
if guilty, should have acted as he did
in leaving his home. Instead of Sc
cretly slipping away, as a guilty man
would supposedly do, he and his
brother gave it out days before their
departure that they intended going
west, a fact that was published in the
newspapers of their town, and the
night before their.departure they were
rendered a farewell reception by their
friends and associates.
At the advice of their father Berna
brother of Chester, will also go back
as it is believed his presence is need
ed. So confident is the father of his
sons innocence hal he sent a sum
of money by Sheriff Black to pay the
fare and expenses en- route of the pris'
oner.
The certified copy of the warrant
held for the youth was received this
morning. In it he is charged with hav'
ing stolen while bailee for the firm
kf Nelson Bros. the sum of $500. II
is further alleged that the money was
taken during the period between Oc
tober i, 1902, and January %, 1903
This charge is regarded as somewhat
strange, as it in hardly conceivable
that populations involving so large
an amount could be successfully car
ried out in so short a time without
discovery, especially in an establish
ment doing no greater business thar
it is reasonably supposed a store in
a town of 1900 inhabitants does. Al
all events those who have become
acquainted with him during his short
and unfortunate stay in Billings will
never believe Chester Clegg guilty
until the fact has been regularly and
legally established.
Mr.. Black and the two brothers
will return east tomorrow morning
going via st. Paul. Chester this
morning against repeated his express
ed intention of returning to Billings
saving he wanted to come back an6
show the people whom he had me
that a mistake had been made ant
that he had been selected as the vic
tim of a conspiracy.