Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-11-30

those welcomed was T. ]. Casey, the
hero of C%aloocan." a member of
company X. First Montana volun.
teers. Today this same young man
has just been refused by the Taco
ma authorities permission to make
his future home in TINS town. The
reason assigned is that Casey has a
very bad criminal record. He has
just been released from the state pen
itentiary at Walla Walla after hay-
ing served two years for robbery.
Casey was the bright particular
star of the returning soldiers. He
had served his country faithfully. AT
the famous battle Of. Caloocan the
colors had been shot off the flagstaff,
but Casey. at the risk OF his life,
climbed to the top of the pole and
replaced the flag. For this heroic
deed the young man was given a med
al and endeared himself TO the hearts
OF all Montanans. His companions
named him the Hero of Caloocan."
and, Notwithstanding his misdeeds
since, the title has stuck to him.
Casey's criminal acts began, II Is
said, Immediately upon his return TO
Anaconda. He was given his old POI
sition at the Carroll smelters, but he
soon gave up his job and went TO live
In Butte, when given a "ioater' after
his arrest for an alleged robbery for
a sum OF money from a companion.
The great mining camp soon became
too hot for him, and Casey drifted to
Seattle. Several scrapes in that city
led to his removal here, and he was
arrested February %, 1908, for rob-
bling a Madagascar negro Of S21 and a
due bill for $50. The police of Taco
ma gave Casey a very bad record.
and said he was also planning to rob
the strong box at the depot, and that
he took the money fIvm the negro
while on his way to perpetrate the
greater crime.
Casey was convicted and on March
18th, 1903. Judge Smell sentenced him
to two years in the penitentiary. At
that time the court took occasion to
express in emphatic language the
opinion that the young nan was the
victim of prejudice on the part of the
police. He asserted that he did not
believe the stories told about him,
but, under the circumstances was COM
PEELED to send him to the p%enitentiary.
Judge Smell said he had examined
Casey's discharge papers. and found
that he had see honorable service
IN the army.
The Hero of Caloocan" has Just
completed his term, having secured
four months of because of good be-
havior. He arrived in Tacoma Sat
urday night, the prison officials hav-
ing given him a ticket, as is their
custom, to the city from which he was
received. Casey expressed a strong
desire TO remain in Tacoma and live
down his record. He thought he
could again secure his position with
the Tacoma Smelling company, where
he was employed before his arrest.
He was met on the street by Captain
OF Police King and Immediately re-
cognized. He was told to get" and
the ex-convict reluctantly took a car
10 Seattle.
When he struck Tacoma Casey Was
well dressed, but under his suit he
still wore prison clothes. His feet
were cased in convict shoes and his
hair, clipped almost TO the scalp. gave
plain evidence that he had not long
been at liberty.
Il will make an effort TO 90 back
to Montana" said Casey. '"rhat Is
my adopted state, and | have certain.
ly had enough trouble that the peo-
pie OF Butte and Anaconda should be
willing TO forgive me for my foolish
acts. The reason I stopped working
was because | was taken down with
blood poisoning and had it not been
for this | would still be in Anaconda
or Butte. | will make n more eff
tort TO live down my record in the
cities where | started on the down.
ward route"