The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-07-01
OFFICERS THINK THEY HAVE
SAFE ROBBERS.
TALKED GREAT DEAL
Made What Is Practically confes-
sion-other Prisoner Former Vel
Iowstone County Convict.

When Sheriff Hubbard arrived at
jamestown, N. d., with his requisi-
tions for the two men held there on
suspicion of having been parties to,
the recent safe robberies here he was
surprised to recognize in one of them
a gentleman with whom he had Off
cial relations on a former occasion.
The man was PATSY Griffin, alias
John Griffin, alias Frank Burns"
the last being the name he gave when
arrested at jamestown.
The other man proved to be William
West, or "Westman, as he also call
ed himself, and is the one who wrote
Ed Buckley, held in Jail in connection
with the burglaries, from Miles City
concerning the resurrection of the
cache at that point
He Talked Much.
West practically confessed to Mr..
Hubbard on the way back, as he made
many admissions that he may find
it hard to explain satisfactorily when
placed on trial. He said Buckley told
him he had really swallowed the dia-
mond he had when the Miles City
officers arrested him, but could not
imagine what had become Of it, unless
he had elected 1t at the time he was
made to vomit, and some one of the
bystanders had picked it up.
In addition he also had consider
able to say in. regard to the plant"
which he said he had found in the
place indicated by Buckley, and com
planned of the poor manner in which
the things had been concealed, say
ing it had rained on them before he
could secure them.
One Watch Recovered.
OF the two watches stolen from the
safe of the laundry one has been re-
covered. It proves to be the one be-
longing to Mrs. Scott and has been
fully identified by Mr.. Scott. It's iden-
tification was easy because Of the
q Il 4 y M NJ s53
initials C. A. F. engraved upon it.
Beside the watch ring was found
in the possession of the two suspects.
1t had formerly contained setting,
but this had been removed, and is
said to be the very ring taken from
the safe of the brewing company.
Manager Grein of the company has
been shown the ring and is positive as
to its identity.
The Eagle cnarm, stolen from the
same safe, was not secured when
the arrests were made, but has been
placed and will be in possession of the
sheriff in a day or So It was found
to have been sold to jeweler at Val
ley City, N. D., and arrangements
were made for it's production here.
The Man Of Many Names.
AS before stated, Griffin, or Burns"
the name under which he was arrested
at Jamestown, is no stranger to the
sheriff's officers here. AS John Griffin
he was aarrested here in 1893 and on
plea OF guilty to an information
filed against him in the district court,
was sentenced to one year in the PEN
itentiary for forgery. He served his
time and since then has been in
! trouble on several occasions and has
been repeatedly arrested.
TA sc hot ho yxyoc
of the actual burglars and credence
| is given to his statement that he
was asked by West to help him sell
| the stolen articles This, however,
will probably not save him from
another term in the states prison.
A charge of forgery is hanging over
him in Sweet Grass county.
Sheriff Fallen of Big Timber was
| in the city yesterday for the purpose
| of taking a look at the man. He at
once recognized him as the fellow he
had been looking for and said that as
soon as the authorities here were
through with him he wanted him for
passing forged check. The Big Tim
Der officer said they had q strong
case against Griffin and his conviction
was assured.
Mr.. Fallen has a photograph OF the
prisoner, furnished him by the war
den Of the penitentiary and is posi-
tive that he is the man wanted.
Is :