Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1904-07-20


ing in the direction of a much
needed reformation movement
when, last week, they so success
fully secured the release OF Agnes
Benson from the Silver Bow
county Jail. where the girl had
been placed for little other reason
than the unfortunate fact that she
was destitute and physically un-
able to support herself. After she
had been in Jail several days and
it had become evident that the
authorities could no longer hold
her legally behind the bars. the
philanthropists, who were sup
posed to be caring for the child,
put their heads together and de
cided TO launch the charge of in
sanity against her, which was em-
phatically denied and condemned
by every person who interviewed
her. At this stage of the illegal
charity farce, the attention OF the
ladies of the Butte Socialist Guild
was attracted by an article. which
was published in the Butte Even
ing News. regarding this case. and
with a sense of honest Indignation
and pity for the girl. they deter
mined to investigate the matter
and if the circumstances as re-
ported were found To be true. they
would canvass every home in sill
yer Bow county before this help
less child should be so unjuStly
dealt with. Accordingly. one of
the ladies set forth ON the errand
of investigation and succeeded in
gaining an interview with the lit
tie prisoner. After being CON
vinced that Agnes was neither in
sane nor guilty OF crime. a special
meeting of the Guild was called
and three ladies were appointed
as a committee To take the neccs-
sary steps to secure the girls re-
lease. lnasmuch as they had
learned that she was a Catholic,
it was decided to first call upon
the Rev. Father De Siere. and ask
his assistance in securing Miss
Bcnson's release and also to in
terccde in having her admitted to
the Good Shepherds Home in
Helena. where she had made a
request TO be taken, as she had
usually attended Catholic schools
previous to coming TO Butte.
1t was 10 p. M. on June 2Ist
before they were able TO secure
an interview with Father De Siere
and at this late hour there had not
been a voice raised-Catholic or
otherwise-in behalf of Miss Ben
son as far as could be learned.
Notwithstanding, however. it has
since been falsely stated that Miss
Benson was rescued from the
county jail and a probable future
in the madhouse through the ef-
forts of the Catholic ladies.
The Socialist Guild is composed
of ladies of all denominations, and
in matters of charity and princi-
pie, recognize no sect or creed,
but take the stand for humanity
in general. Immediately after be-
ing released from Jail, the young
woman was offered a home by
two respected citizens, both Of
which she refused, preferring 20
be taken to the Good Shepherds
Home, and in compliance with
this request, the ladies of the So
cialist Guild dressed the forsaken
girl clean and comfortable, de-
fraying all expenses. and placed
her in the care of Mrs. K. Anna
German, a prominent member of
the Guild and nominee on the
state Socialist ticket for superin-
tendent of state public instruction.
who took the young girl to Helena
and safely placed her in the con-
vent, where she will be well treat
ed and have a good home.
1t was generally supposed by
the community of Butte, as will be
remembered, that the Women of
the Crittenden Circle were caring
for Agnes Benson, until it was
discovered that she was behind
the bars in the county Jail, al
though as far as could be learned