Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1907-11-14
JURY SATISFACTORY TO ALL
Rathdrum, Ida, Nov. Z

YIN ~ hAA
Rathdrum, Ida, Nov. z.
Mr.. J. NJ. Gentry and Mr.. Edward
Stansbury were two witnesses called
by the state that have gone far to-
wads Strengthening Adams case in the
trial now pending. These men were
employed by the big timber companies
in timber cruising. On one of these
trips their party penetrated into the
heavy, brushy woods, and there came
upon the remains of a dead body lying
across some logs. Ii seems that they
left it there, and afterwards the Tyler
family heard of it, and went in and
took possession of il. Deputy Sheriff
Williams was encountered accidentally
and taken in with them. These stories
completely change the complexion Of
the commonly accepted idea in the
popular mind concerning the case. 1t
has been generally stated that Adams
was ineriminated purely by his own
TWO
confession, and the body of Tyler
found according to his own directions.
The testimony of these witnesses ut
terly diseredit this view. The body
was found by accident, the identified
tion is very meager, and if the state
is depending upon the half--crazed con-
fession Of a man tortured by fear and
afterwards completely repuliated by
him, its chances are pretty slim to head
another Federation man into eternity
that way.
Making an Example.
The secret of the whole matter il
that the big timber companies want
to make an example out of Steve
Adams so that in the future no one
will interfere with their jumpers il
the interest of SO unimportant a factor
as homesteaders. They must get som'
one, and Steve, as friend of Simpkins
whose claim was among those tina
were jumped, is n eonveniect character
to sacrifice.
As the trial progresses Mr.. Hawlc.
is sitting with the states attorney
watching what transpires, and making
frequent suggestions.
Not much interest is manifested il
the trial by the town people. Tn
general sympathy seems to be wit
Adams. The very fact that these tim
ber cruising parties went up to exam
inc timber already settled upon, show
that the rights of settlers were ignol
ed. Tyler had had a cabin built 70
him on the very piece of land wher
Simpkins' cabin was already bull
and where he was living
An Unwilling Witness.
The testimony of George II. Roo
one of the settlers in the Marbl
Creek district, proved a remarkabl
corroboration of the injustice that
heaped upon the small property owner
by the great aggregations of capita
Root is dapper young fellow tina
clerks in a hardware store in Bois
when he is not on his claim. His G,
, cry action and word showed that
did not wish to testify for that sid
of the case, and had been brougl
there against his will. He is a persol
} al friend Of Simpkins, and was inte
ested as all the settlers were, in d
Tending their homes against the thiev,
: that were operating under the prote
r tion Of the big lumber companies.
, 1t seems that one Sunday the hom
, steaders met at an Indignation NEE
ing in the woods, to discuss amor
] themselves what should be done co
) cerning their homesteads and Il
Northern Pacific strip which had ju
/. been opened.
AT this meeting Adams was preset
9 with Simpkins, and many others who
D homes were menaced by the rapaeiol
llnlDtI lnltNts. lHtst men ol u
woods were armed; as one witne
= said, "it was unsafe TO go unprotect'
a in those days. Different ones talk,
s at this meeting. The discussion W
: as regards what the settlers should
Q to protect their homes. The case
n one claim jumper was already in coul
8 and a number advised that they ?
tiently await the issue in this cai
I Others were for getting the jumpe
e out of the country.
. Asking Advice.
Root testified to a conversation
II had with Simpkins wherein simpki
y asked his advice az to what he thoug
he ought TO 10 with the man (Tye
d who had built house on his clai
N Root advised to wait till the clail
Is were settled in court.
Attorney knight kept trying
y 1raw From Root that Simpkins n