Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-01-06
WHITECAPPERS
ARE WORSTED
Neishbos Of George Gould Go to His
House With Tar and Feathers
and Are Met With Bullets.
ONE MAN WOUNDED IN THE ARM
Several Arrests Follow the Trouble
Jealousy the Principal Cause Of
the Trouble.

John Reeves, formerly one OF the
most prosperous young farmers OF the
vicinity OF Highwood, was arrested
In this city yesterday, on a charge
Of assault In the second degree, II
being alleged that he. last Wednos-
day evening, was one Of a party of
'white-cappers" who attempted to
tar and feather George Gould, OF
Hollywood. who, last Sunday, was
married to Reeves divorced wife,
Cora.
The warrant upon which the arrest
was made was issued by Justice Des
Combes, of Belt, the offense being al
legged to have occurred In Cascade
county, at the Gould ranch. Reeves
is in the county Jail, but will be TAX.
en- to Belt today to appear for pre-
liminary examination. He will very
probably waive examination, as his
friends have advised him to do so
and let a jury in the district court
hear his story.
Reeves admits that he was a mem.
Der of a party that was formed for
the purpose of tarring and feathering
Gould and running him out of the
country, but he denies that any as
sault upon Gould had been made.
1t appears that Reeves. who is
about 20 years Of age, came from Cal
ifornia with his young wife, Cora,
about six years ago, and located up
on a ranch near Highwood, but In this
county. About the same time Gould
began to live upon an adjoining
ranch. Gould Is about 30 years OF
age. and has long been a resident OF
northern Montana. For several years
he drove the stage between Fort Ben
ton and Highwood for Lewis & Son,
and then worked for G. w. Parker
on Willow creek for a few years, af.
er which he began to work his own
place. At first, after Reeves and
wife arrived In the country, the rela-
lions between Reeves and Gould were
very friendly. They exchanged visits
freely, helped n another with farm
work, and Reeves would not listen
to anything that was said against
Gould. Reeves prospered and made
many friends, and his home life seem.
ed very happy until about two years
ago. when he became suspicious that
Gould was attempting to win his
wife's affections. He would not be-
lieve that his wife had done wrong,
but he told his friends that he felt
that there was constant temptation
before her, and he sold his property
and the family removed to this city.
A few weeks after their arrival here,
Reeves was called to Washington, on
account of illness of a relative there,
and while he was absent his wife in
stituted suit for divorce from him.
Before he returned their baby boy be.
came i'll with scarlet fever and died,
and this bereavement brought about
a reconciliation between the estrang.
ed husband and wife, and her suit for
divorce was dismissed. After a few
weeks, Mrs. Reeves again left her
husband and went out to Highwood,
while he was employed in this city
and In the vicinity of Culbertson. A
few weeks ago he went to the ranch,
he states, asked her to return to him.
but she refused and Reeves states
that she asked him to get a divorce.
He says that he replied that he would
do anything for her, even to divorc.
Ing her, and a few days later he
brought suit for divorce, alleging de.
sertion. The wife did not resist the
suit and about three weeks ago Judge
Leslie granted the divorce.
AS soon az the news that the di.
vorce had been granted was received
at Highwood, Gould and Mrs. Reeves
went to Fort Benton. and were mar.
ried there on Sunday, December ~,
and returned to Highwood, where
they were promptly charivaried,
As soon as Reeves learned of the
marriage he went to Highwood, and
word was passed among the friends
that Gould was to be tarred and
feathered Wednesday night. About
rs of Reeves friends quickly respond
ed and the party began to march up
on the Gould home. uBt Gould also
has some friends in that region, Il
seems, for he had been warned thai
the "white-cappers" yer coming
and when the party was about hal
way to the Gould dwelling, expecting
to find the bride and groom at home
they ere surprised by the report Of
winchester, followed by many other
in rapid succession, and the part!
beat a hasty retreat. not being pre-
pared for such a reception. Although
probably IL shots were fired, only on,
took effect, 1t INJECTING q. slight fesl
wound in the arm of A. r. Whey
who is now In the Columbus hospital
A warrant has also been issued TO
the arrest of Whey.
Gould Is the complainant agains
both Reeves and Winey. Accordin
to him, he has befriended Mri
Reeves, and they had learned to low
one another, but there had never bee
anything improper In their relations
The Belt officers have been endea'
oring to ascertain the names of a
the "white.cappers," but Gould ca
Identity only Reeves and Whey.