Fergus County Democrat., 1906-03-13
Under Sheriff Who Was Chiefly In
strumentaI in Getting Sherman
Files His Application.
COMMISSIONERS WILL ACT SOON,
1t Is Generally Believed That Martin
Stands Best Chance of Gettino
The Money.

Under Sheriff Ed Martin did yester-
day what his friends have been urging
him to do ever since James Sherman
was convicted of the crime of murder
ing Samuel Studzinski Filed his re-
quest for the reward of $1,000, which
the county commissioners offered for
the arrest and conviction of the mur-
derer.
1t is now merry chase for the
thousand dollars with Martin in the
lead. It is likely that the commission
ers will take the matter up today or
tomorrow and settle it in some man
ner or other.
lnasmuch as it is the pubic's money
which is the bone of contention. the
public has right to know the nature
or the entire proceedings.
After the conviction or sherman
SherlH Slater filed an application for
the reward In behalf OF the sheriffs
Iorce, agreeing that in case the money
was turned over to him, to divide it
equally among the three deputies and
himself.
1t is well recognized fact that each
ana every member of the sheriffs force
ala all in his power to ferrit out the
slayer Of StudzinsE. But Under Sher-
lff Martin was undoubtedly chiefly in
strumental in getting together the
facts and fastening the guilt upon
young Sherman with an unbroken
chain of evidece. 1t was he who first
got wind of the things having been
cached under the Argus building: he
who called the business manager OF
the Argus from his home at midnight
to get into the building; he who
Drought the stolen goods from their
hldlng place, and he who ran down
most or the facts which pointed sus-
picion toward Sherman. 1t must not
De thought, however, that other MEM
Ders OF the force did not assist him.
Sheriff Slater was out of the city in
performance of official business when
some OF the more important disclos-
ures We're brought out but he never
| hesitated an instance in getting in
and helping to work up the case when
he returned
There are several applications for
the reward or a portion of it, One is
by young man prominently connect
ed with the Argus office. No one de-
MES that he materially assisted In get,
ting up the evidence against young
Sherman, but inasmuch as the goods
were found under the building In
which he worked, there Is every rea
son why he should be interested in
speedily finding out the guilty person.
Other members of the Argus force con-
tributed quite as much as did this one
toward unearthing evidence against
Sherman but they had the good taste
not to apply for any of the reward.
1t certainly appears that the reward
should go to the sheriff's force and IL
anyone should be specially favored,
Under Sheriff Ed Martin, whose Sleep
less vigilence and untiring activity SO
quickly brought the guilty man to
justice, should be that one. Following
is Martins application for the re-
ward:
To the Honorable Board of County
Commissioners of the County of Fer
gus. State of Montana
Sirs: 1t appearing that your Honor
able Board has seen fit to offer a re-
ward Of one thousand 1.OOO) dollars
for the arrest and conviction of the
murderer of the late Samuel Studzins-
XII, and feeling that /, my self, more
than any other person, am directly re-
sponsible for the apprehension and
conviction of said murderer Of SAID
Studzinski, and for the securing of the
evidence sufficient for said conviction
OF said murderer James Sherman who
was, by jury of this county, found
guilty of said crime, on the 5th day OF
February A. D., 1906; and,
Whereas, The said Sherman was ar
rested at my special instance and re-
quest, and thereafter convicted of said
crime by the evidence which / secured
and furnished at the trial of said
Sherman: and,
Therefore, / now claim the total sum
so offered as said reward by your
Honorable Board for the arrest and
conviction of said murderer
| am now, and Immediately, ready
to appear before your Honorable Board
to furnish evidence and proof full and
sufficient to substantiate all matters
connected herewith.
Respectfully submitted,
ED MARTIN.
Lewistown, Fergus County, Montana