The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-04-29
HENRY ERICKSON is HELD TO
DISTRICT COURT.
STATE MAKES STRONG CASE
Alleged Murderer Fully Identified by
Dead Mans mpanion-Prison-
er's Confession Repeated.

district court for Gallatin county for
the alleged murder of Michael Ries,
the Columbus. sheepherder, whom he
train between Livingson and Bozeman,
the night Of April 20.
Erickson had his preliminary hear
ing at Bozeman last Tuesday, and
some decidedly damaging testimony
was brought out against him The
principal witnesses for the state were
Leonard Luther, William Kincaid and
Arthur Olson. Luther was travelling
with Ries when the latter was muir
dered by tramp, who joined them as
they were leaving Livingston for Boze-
man.
1t will be remembered that Ries
was going to Bozeman to make final
proof on land entry he had made
north of Columbus. To save fare he
and Luther decided to "beat' their
way on a freight strain. A stop was
made at Livingston and when they
started again on their journey they
concealed themselves in the blower OF
threshing machine loaded on fiat
car. Against their wishes stranger
crawled into the blower with them
and shortly after the train had left
Livingston Ries called out to Luther
that the stranger was robbing him.
When Luther attempted to go to the
assistance of his friend the stranger
drew a revolver and Luther ran away
to notify the trainmen. In a moment
afterWard shot was heard and man
was seen to jump from the train,
which was running slowly because OF
the steep grade at that place. When
the trainmen got to where Ries was
they found him dead, with two wounds
in the head, one made by bullet
Identifies Erickson, ss,
At the hearing Luther told the story
of the attempted robbery and subse-
quent murder. He positively identi-
fed the prisoner as the man who was
in the blower with him and Ries at
the time Ries was killed.
Luther's testimony was greatly
strengthened by that of Kincaid. The
latter testified that Erickson had
confessed the murder to him the even
ing of the day of it's occurrence.
Shortly before it's commission Kin
caid met Erickson in this city. They
travelled together as far as Livingston,
stealing ride on freight train. At
Livingston Kincaid, who is cook,
secured work in restaurant. Erick-
son continued to hang about town,
at intervals visiting the kitchen where
Kincaid was employed for food. On
the evening OF the day that Ries was
killed, Kincaid testified, Erickson
came to him and asked for something
to eat, and while eating told him he
had killed rancher and was sorry
that he did not kill the other one who
was with the dead man.
Kincaid also told of telling the off
GERS where Erickson was concealed,
on the island near the town, and that
the prisoner had told him where he
had concealed the revolver With
which he did the killing. A revolver
was exhibited and kincaid identified
it as the one found by him at the
place where Erickson said he had
hidden his.
Olson is mere boy and had heard
some of the conversation between
Erickson and Kincaid
Erickson was held without bail and
an order made holding the three prin-
cipal witnesses for the prosecution.
The trial will not take place until the
next term of court and unless they
manage to give bond it is very likely
that the witnesses will have to remain
in Jail with the principal.