Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1905-10-03
Pr0priet0rs of Puritan and Bio
Bear Saloons Placed Under
Arrest.
COUNTY ATTORNEY ROY {. AYERS
Makes the Complaint and Parties
Are Held Under Bonds of $500
to Answer Preliminary Hearing.

Last Thursday morning County At
torney Ayers and Sheriff L. p. Sla-
ter, armed with warrants issued out OF
Justice McFarland's court, placed un-
der arrest L. S. Butler and M. J.
Burke, proprietors Of the Puritan sa-
loon, and William Slaughter, an en-
ploye Of that resort. Dan Frazier and
Carl Hagenson, proprietors Of the Big
Bear saloon, were also arrested. These
men We're charged with violating the
gambling law. At the former
places under arrest. At the former
place a roulette table was secured and
at the latter poker table was taken
into custody by the sheriff and loaded
into wagon and carted away for safe
keeping by the sheriff pending the re-
suit Of the trial.
The proprietors were taken before
Justice Mcfarland where they entered
a plea of not guilty and bail was fixed
at $500 in each case which was readily
given by the four parties arrested.
The preliminary hearing was set for
October 18th.
The arrests caused surprise as it
was unlocked for by either sporting
fraternity or the public. If gambling
has been carried on since the County
Attorney issued his order that it must
be closed it has been conducted behind
closed doors and the general public
was not wise to the situation Mr.
Ayers was interviewed by a Democrat
representative last Saturday, but was
reticent as to the facts stating that he
had what he deemed to be sufficient
proofs to warrant him in taking the
steps necessary to ascrupulous enforce.
ment of the law.
AS to his reasons for causing the ar
rests, Mr.. Ayers talked very earnestly
and freely in regard to the matter, his
statement of his position being as fol,
lows:
when l gave OUT the order some
weeks ago that gambling must cease
In LeWistown, it was done after the
most careful and deliberate considera-
tion of the consequences that would
follow my action. 1 became convinced
that something must be done to eradi-
cate that undesirable element from our
community. Some of our citizens at
tributed the recent crimes committed
in Lewistown to the fact that the city
was known throughout the state as
wide open town. where everything
went and that by reason of this thugs
and boosters flocked here from every
section Of the state, and that the COM
mission Of crimes in our midst might
be traced to this cause 1 am not pre-
pared to say that this is true, but I do
say that this impression prevailed to a
large extent among the better element.
But, however, be that as it may, every
law-abiding citizen will agree with me
IN the conclusion arrived at, that is.
that conditions We're becoming intoler-
able and that something had to be done
to check the commission of crime in
our city. Complaints We're coming to
me daily of the overt acts committed
In gambling houses and 1 determined
that my duty to the people of the
county was to enforce the laws against
gambling, and the order, accordingly.
was given.
In making the complaint against the
pfoprletors of the two houses which
led to their arrests, and about which
there has been so much discussion.
desire to state that I was in no sense
moved to such action by any personal
malice or animosity toward a single
individual. Since causing these arrests
rumors have come to my ears that 9TH
er houses are or We're conducting gam
bling, or permitting it to de done. IF
such Is the case 1 have no KNOWLEDGE
of 1t and ! desire to state here, most
emphatically, that if such is the case
and any reputable parties will place
the proofs before MEL pledge you, that
complaints will be made at once exact
ly as has been done in the other two
cases. l want the public to understand
clearly once and for all, that am go.
ing to enforce this law to the best Of
my ability, without fear or favor, "let
the chips fall where they may, 1 shall
hew to the line"
From the foregoing it would appear
that the county attorney was in ear
nest about the matter and that he
would not take step backward from
the stand taken when he issued his
mandate few weeks ago. The prose-
cution of these cases will be watched
with interest.