Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-06-21
Ranchers Of Rogers Organize, and Will
Begin Work Tomorrow Morning,
Starting From Quay Ranch.
Win 60 Over Every Foot Of Ground
In the Entire oistriet-confident
Of success.


at last. Tomorrow morning, nearly
all the ranchers in the vicinity of
Rogers will meet at the Quay place,
and after being thoroughly organized,
will commence search for Quay's
body that is expected to finally deter
mine whether or not Quay was MUIR
dered. The ranchers intend to care.
fully search every foot of ground in
the district and are entirely confident
that their efforts will be successful.
The facts in this remarkable case
were fully stated in the Argus some
months ago, and ever since then in
terest in it has been growing, not only
in the vicinity of Rogers, but all over
the Judith basin. The result Of the
search about to begin will be awaited
with intense interest by scores of peo.
pie who never knew Quay, but who
want to see the mystery cleared up.
History Of the Case.
John Quay, young Scotchman,
came to Montana a couple of years
ago, and having some means, decided
to engage in ranching, selecting Rog-
ers as good place to begin opera
tions. He secured some land, and by
strict attention to business, soon COM
menced to prosper. He raised some
good crops and gathered fine bunch
of stock on his place, and while thriv-
ing in a material way, won the good
will of his neighbors. Last fall he
laid in his supplies for the winter, and
the last time he was ever seen, took
couple of horses to a neighbor's,
stating that he would call for them
next day. He failed to appear, and
soon afterward a visit to his place
revealed the fact that he was not
there. Quay lived alone on the ranch,
good order. The neighbors waited for
some time, and finally reported the
matter to the authorities, with the
result that Sheriff Slater and County
Attorney Ayers visited Rogers and
made as careful an inquiry as was pos
sible. At the conclusion of their in
vestigation, they reached the same
conclusion-that Quay had been MUIR
dered. It was ascertained that when
Quay was last seen, he had con-
siderable sum of money on his per-
son, and that he had previously had
trouble with rancher living in the
neighborhood. Since the inquiry, that
person has also disappeared, but it is
believed he can be easily found 1t
wanted. At the time the officers Wis
tied the place, the snow was very deep
and it was decided that nothing FUR
ther could be done until conditions
were favorable for thorough search.
There the matter has rested ever
since, but Mr.. Rogers and others in
the district haUN been working quiet
" on the case and making plans Tor
the search that is to begin today.
Are Well Organized.
These men know the ground per
fectly, and can work more ehectively
than the officers on this particular
branch of the case. They are well
organized and their forces will be so
divided as to insure the most careful
work. Every foot Of ground will be
gone over, and it is the unanimous
oninion that the remains will be dis
covered.
There are just two theories regard
ing the case. One Is that Quay was
foully murdered for gain or revenge,
or both, and the other that he met
With an accidental death. There are
very few who accept the latter theory
II Quay was murdered, the searcners
realize that they have most UNI
cult task ahead of them. II the man
was murdered, it is most propaoie
that the author of the crime woulo
make every effort to secret the Dody
and the section affords many natural
caches suited for such a purpose.
May be a Long Search.
In that event, the search Will OF
a long and tedious operation, as ev
ery hiding place must be looked into
and the underbrush thoroughly exam
ined. On the other hand, If Qua!
met death through any accident, o.
was overcome by sudden illness, i
is expected that the body will be fount
with very little delay. 1t is yer!
significant in this connection tina
none of the people of Rogers ever
consider the possibility of Quay hav
ing left the country voluntarily.
That Estate in Scotland.
Considerable prominence has beer
given to the fact that since Quay dis
anenared. letters have been received
at his ranch from Scotland statin'
that an estate had been left him IL
the old country. None of these let
ters arrived until after Quay had van
ished. so that the estate matter cal
have no bearing on the mans disap
pearance. Quay's married sister, VIII
resides in Ireland. has been commun
icated with by MIR. Rogers and place.
in possession of the facts. so lar a
known. She has heard nothing VIVA,
ever from her brother. and Is mucl
distressed at the situation. A brothe
of the missing man resides in Texas
and he, too. has been communicate
with.
Will Lend Any Assistance.
The officers in Lewistown stan
ready to lend any assistance possible