Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-21
PLOT TO KILL
JUDGE TATTAN
Henry Winters, Spurred on by Imag'
mary Wrongs, Also Intended to
Murder Stock Inspector.
DISCOVERED JUST IN TIME
How the Plan Was Exposed-Valley
and Chouteau Officers Now A.
ter Winters.


OF a plot to assassnate the district |
Judge of Valley and Chouteau coun-
ties and the stock inspector of the
northern district of Montana, and to
destroy a number of prominent build |
ings in Chinook by arson are charges
made against Henry Winters, and
that are now being investigated by
County Attorney Pray. Winters, up
to two years ago was wealthy. AMI
one of the most influential men in a
social and political way in Chouteau
county He has suddenly disappear
ed, and while he still has friends who
declare that his departure was in no
wise caused by the recent charges op-
emily hurled at him by man claim
ing to have been hired by him for the
purpose of assassination and arson
the view of officials and the citizens
of Chinook in general is that he has
fed to escape probable prosecution.
Penitentiary Records.
Winters of late years has been in
many troubles. and only recently was
discharged from the penitentiary.
where he served one term for a shady
transaction in cattle. but through it
all, ne has had staunch friends who re-
lied upon the record he made by years
of upright living and apparent just
dealing. Many of these, however, are
now sorrowfully compelled to admit
that the recent revelations-and par
ticularly his mysterious disappear
ance-make the case against him
look black.
Partner Reveals Plot
The story of the more recent charg-
es against Winters came to Havre and
was given general publicity even by
his oldest and most intimate friends
last Monday, when a large number Of
stockmen from Chinook and vicinity
came into FIT. Assinniboine to attend
a sale of condemned cavalry horses.
an event at which Winters was for a
score of years one of the most prom
inent bidders. The friends who had
chung to him through thick and thin
had hoped to find him. as they had
for a decade, at the auctioneer s
block. and few, believing that his
Sudden dropping out of sight had in no
wise been hurried by the startling
confession, and charges of his former
pal had even staked wagers that
he would be at the fort to show him
self and give the lie to the charges
But he was not here. Furthermore
it developed that Chouteau county
had been secured high and low with
out trace being found of the form
er stock baron since the revelations
We're made.
The whole story of the alleged plo
came to public ears through a drunk
en- quarrel between Winters and for
mer employe, Andrew Bellar. who
was accused of being implicated il
the wantOn killing of stock for which
Winters was sent to the penitentiary
This quarrel. arising from no known
cause but overindulgence in liquor
occurred in Chinook saloon. Bella1
there turned savagely on his forme
employer and partner and accused hin
OF the assassination plot. Not mucf
attention was paid to the accusation
at the time, but Winters left the cit.
the next day and has not been seel
since. He had no known business
to take him into remote locality. an,
it is because of this that the stock
men most intimate with him and hi
business and habits looked for hin
a. the fort auction sale. Bellar, wit
continued on his spree, mas been franl
tc 60 into details in addition to hi
surveillance of officers, but wthOu
knowledge of the whereabouts of tn
alleged principal in the plot they ar
in doubt as to what action to take.
Bellar has repeatedly declared viii
irgness to go on the stand and swea
tC all he has said. AS he declare
tnat he did not take the slightes
step to carry out either of the col
spiracies of which he tells, and a
there is no evidence at hand goin
TO show that he did the officers hav
no case upon which to arrest hin
but they declare they will not let hi
get out of sight until the sensation;
charges are probed to the bottom. Be
lar, on his part, has completely turl
ed against his former partner and d
clares that he is willing to renal
in Montana for years, if for no oth'
reason than to send Winters back
the penitentiary.
Bogus kilograms.
Bogus kilograms, Bellar declare
were the methods by which Jud,
John w. Tattan and the stock inspe
tor were to be lured to vicinity
vCrable for the purposes OF assassl
alton, and he has freely disclosed hill
self regarding the preparation OF the
kilograms, the forwarding of whic
il appears, was stopped only by Il
ineXplicable quarrel between the ty
ccnspirators. The Judge was to
brought within the line of the assf
sins bullet upon his next visit to no
court at Glasgow, Valley county. t.
stock inspector was to be shot at HI
lem, or, more accurately, on dri
which it was anticipated he would
induced to take to the FIT. Belkn
Indian reservation. Bellar has go
Sc far as to outline all the details
these proposed assassinatiOns to t
expected victims.
Wants Revenge.
Winters purpose, Bellar declare
was simply revenge in these insta
ces-gettlng even with the man W
sent him to the penitentiary and t
man who gathered the evidence up
which he was convicted.
Winters was always revengeful.
was for shooting cattle of a busins
rival that he spent his short term
the penitentiary. Prior even to Il
offense. Bellar declares, he was
fered 5000 in cash by Winters to
stroy the stables of J. E. tCharle
Ross in Chinook by fire and to bu
the haystacks of several neighbo
This plot was not carried out owl
to the interruption of Winters pla
by his conviction for shooting Gait