Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-29


cided to offer a reward of $1,000 for
the arrest of the man or men who
last week SO brutally murdered Sam.
uel Studzinski.
This action was decided upon at a
special meeting of the commission.
ers held yesterday afternoon, and
meets with the heartiest approval OF
all classes. Whether or not it will
lead to solution of the mystery that
surrounds the terrible crime remains
to be seen, but in any event, the ac-
t1on taken can only result in good.
Four Arrests Made.
The most startling development in
connection with the crime was the ar.
rest of two men Sunday afternoon by
Sheriff Slater and Undersheriff Ed.
ward Martin. These prisoners are
Walker p. Coyle, who formerly con-
Quoted the Overland saloon, about op-
posite from Studzinski's place, and
Joseph Dennison, who was at one
time employed by Coyle as a barkeep.
er. Both men are pretty we'll known
in this community. The evidence
against them is very far from conclu-
sive, but several circumstances report
ed to the officers are so suspicious
that the county attorney considered
it proper to get them in custody at
once. The officers left this city at
an early hour Sunday morning, and
drove directly to Coyle's place at
Roy. Coyle is now conducting sa-
loon in tent there, and he was great
ly surprised when the officers placed
him under arrest on charge of MUIR
der. He had arrived at his place
from Lewistown about five hours ear
lier than the officers, and although
the closest search was made for any
incriminating evidence, none was
found about the place. The officers
started back with their prisoner in
the afternoon, and on their way took
in Dennison, the two men being plac.
ed in the county Jail late Sunday
night.
Evidence Against Them.
AS before stated, the evidence against
these men as developed so far is
rather slight. 1t is claimed that both
of them were seen in the vicinity of
the Studzinski place on the night the
crime was committed, and close to
the time when the old man was kill
ed. 1t is further alleged that Coyle
was seen to turn off the arc light at
that corner about that time. There
are any number of rumors of a SEN
sational nature in regard to the men,
but all that is really known, or that
can be traced to any reliable source,
is that stated above. Even those
statements may prove on further in
vestigation to be unfounded. Both
assert that they were not in the vicin-
ity of Studzinski's little shack Wed.
nesday night, and assert that they
can account for their movements
in such way as to clear them from
suspicion. They will have every
chance to demonstrate the truth Of
their statements. Coyle is man
whose reputation is against him. He
came here from Butte over year ago
and soon engaged in the saloon bust.
ness, which he carried on until he
was burned out. He came to town
from Box Elder early last week to Sc
cure some goods that arrived here by
express, and to attend to some other
matters. A judgment had been Sc
cured against him by Mr.. Humphrey
short time previous, and the goods
were attached. He succeeded in get
ting the attachment released Friday
last, and started for home Saturday.
He is about SO years of age, and Is
married.
Dennison is a widower, and has two
daughters. He was very well ac-
quainted with Studzinski, and is said
to have done considerable business
for him in the way of buying hides.
According to the statements made to
the officers, he was with Coyle on
Wednesday night near Studzinski's s
place. A man named Hatch, who
hangs around saloons and has, since
the commission of this crime, shown
disposition to "butt in" whenever
parties supposed to know anything
about the case, we're in conversation.
has also been placed under arrest.
There is really nothing against the
man at this time, except a suspicion
'AAeAe AAO might OC SOANOy AA6 AAAOA
tion to parties more deeply interest
ed in the matter than himself.
Sunday evening Night Marshal Muir
ray and Deputy Sheriff Silverthorne
arrested man named Smith, a COM
parative stranger, who is said to be a
cook by occupation. He was placed
in the city jail. The officers have
been reliably informed that Smith
was seen at the corner of Studzinski's
place at late hour Wednesday night
apparently waiting for something
Unlss it is a case of mistaken iden-
tity, this arrest may develop into an
important one.
Prisoners Must Explain.
More than one party has informed
the officers that Coyle and Dennison
were about Studzinski's place Wed
nesday night. The manner in which
| this has been corroborated will make
it necessary for the prisoners to eX
plain. COyle as before stated. says
he will have no trouble to do this
II he is speaking the truth. that viii
end the case so far as he Is concern
ed, but il he cannot, the suspicion
against him will simply be strength
ened. The officers do not make an!
pretense that they have a strong cas-,
against the prisoners, and the arrests
are more of a precaution than any
thing else. Developments that viii