The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-11-08
WEDNESDAY, NOV. 8, 1905.
HUNTING WITH A BRASS BAND.

II q party of sportsmen should start
out with a brass band to apprise wild
fowl and other game of their coming,
their hunting trip would probably not
result In much success. Hunting Grim
insls by q similar method is likely to
be equally barren Of results.
Residents of this part of Montana
have recently witnessed the somewhat
amusing spectacle of officers conduct
ing a man hunt with a brass band. It
was announced in the newspapers, un-
der large and sensational headlines,
that q gigantic ho~rse-stealing con-
spiracy had been unearthed in north
eastern Montana and the western
counties of North Dakota. Several
arrests, it a alleged, had been made,
and there was ample evidence, accord.
to the newspaper reports, to convict
the accused. This information, it is
presumed, was given to the newspapers
by officials who had charge of the
ase.
Two of the suspects who were ar.
rested in North Dakota had a hearing
In the justice court at Williston, and
we're discharged for lack of evidence
that would convict. The man hunters
thereupon had themselves interviewed
by the newspapers, and explained the
alleged miscarriage of justice as due
to the "pull' which the defend ants
had with the Dakota authorities. The
latter ret0rted that insufficient evil
dence having been presented against
the accused. they are presumed t. be
innocent of the charge.
Returning to Valley county, another
hunt with a brass band was organized
by n of the officials publicly an
,nouncing that he vas on the trail of
one Thomas Ryan, who, be alleged,
was the commander-in-chief of the
DEMONSTRATING gang. This announce
ment was printed In several newspa-
pers, and the suspected Mr.. Ryan, if
he wished to evade arrest, was thereby
served with notice to put as great q
distance as .possible between himself
and the alert officials who we're on his
trail.
Another newspaper item relating to
this pursuit of alleged horse thieves
credits a public officer with a state.
ment to the effect that the man hunt is
something OF personal interest to him
self, as some Of the suspects had pre-
ferred charges of official misconduct
against him, and he proposed to get
even. The newspaper man may have
misunderstood the remarks OF the Off.
Ger, but II the latter was correctly re. |
ported there will be a suspicion that
his pursuit. OF these alleged criminals
may be animated by motives other
than satisfactory evidence of their
guilt.
The lawyer eng aged in this horse.
stealing case has also furnished some
OF the brass band music by which the
suspects are notified of the proceed
ings that will be taken against them.
This advance information regarding
criminal matters, supplied to newSpa.
pers by public officials and attorneys,
may be interesting reading, but it il
apt to brighten the game and result in
the hunters returning home empty.
handed.
This newspaper does not intend to
pose as an expert in the sleuth bust
meas hnk q comm,r opoo ,,;o.- rs .ho
matter would suggest that a still hunt
promises better results than q with
a brass band. If an officer engaged
in hunting criminals desires appre-
ciative recognition of his zeal and ef-
hciency, he a best secure it by bring
ing in the game and proving II to be
his legitimate prey.
WOl Il ROI,NTv I'D Aims