The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-31

and closing OF all puDuc OmceS, IoT me
time being, and the assembling here
OF his fellow citizens to do him
honor.
Evidence Of High Esteem.
II may say that the expressions OF
sorrow and bereavement at the I'M
timely death Of Sheriff Webb is spon-
taneous and universal, and consider
ing that he had no relatives or near
friends residing here to quicken and
intensity the sorrow and sympathy Of
the people, this demonstration, in hon
or of our departed brother is remark
able, and at the same time character
istic Of the temperament Of western
citizenship.
ut is an unmistakable evidence of
the high esteem in which a plain cit
izen is held by his fellows and neigh
bors on account of his sterling quail
ties as an officer and man, and proves
to you and. to me. that neither wealth,
position. or power, after all, are es-
sential to command the respect, honor
and esteem Of our fellow man.
Death Was TragicaI.
1.-The untimely death Of Sheriff
Webb was tragical, cruel, and little
short of a public calamity, and the
wretch who took his life has paid the
penalty OF his crime, by his own life.
1.-The posse Of brave citizens of this
county who a down and captured
the murderer, deserve the everlasting
gratitude and commentator Of every
citizen Of the state.
Sheriff Webb was born in Missouri.
Most Of his adult years have been
spent on the frontier as a cowboy. He
was employed by several cowmen in
this state until he was appointed
stock inspector to succeed our former
well known townsman, John Collins.
Exhibited Bravery.
In this position Mr.. Webb, exhibit
ed or many occasions his bravery and
fortitude, and was considered to be
one Of the most efficient ofacers Of
the state.
"Mr. Webb was elected sheriff Of
this county two years ago In the face
Of a large party majority against him,
and against W. p. Adams, a popular
officer who was running to succeed
, himself.
"Mr. Webb was a popular oflce1
among his brother. %oficers, and with
, his constituency. and all the county
officers with whom he came in con
tact.
HE was faithful and absolutely
fearless in the discharge Of his duty
and he discharged his whole duty
without fear or favor and without re
ward or the hope thereof.
n Never shirked Duty.
when he saw his duty he per
formed It, without waiting to SCI
whether his action would be popular
. and did not stop to inquire who
, might be injured or benefited by II
and by this course he won the con
fidence Of the people.
Even his enemies had to acknowl
edge that he was always true to ev
cry trust and that there was no com
promise he would accept. He per
formed most Of the hard and danger
GUS work OF the office himself, and II
/. is said did not even acquaint his I'm
dersherih or deputies with his plans
preferring to keep him own counse
and assume all responsibility.
I'm fact he never shirked or attempt
ed to shift a responsibility.
. HE did not hunt criminals with 8
brass band, and was reticent in al
a matters pertaining to his office, and
r when he apprehended a criminal hs
simply arrested him and brought hin
4 in. and never exploited or heralded
his expeditions in the newspapers OF
detailed them on the street corner.
Man Of Few Words.
II was a man OF few words, never
frivolous or i%nsincere, and seldom en-
gagged in argument or c~ontrovers,
with any one but was outspoken as t.
his ideas OF right and wrong.
,. Ills enforcement of the anti-Ram
bling and wine room law in the city
OF Billings made him conspicuous
throughout the state. and won To-
him the plaudits of all law abiding
citizens and struck terror to tn,
Is hearts of the fraternity, who hat
openly and VIGOROUSLY violated these
laws until they had become a deas
letter upon u statute books.
in this particular Sheriff Webb sim
ply demonstrated what a fearless ant
b. efficient officer can do In this or ar,
Is other community and he also demon
to strated the fact thattwhen an Office
discharges his whole duty he com
I'd mands the respect and confidence o
friend and foe alike.
in Had No Bad Habits.
Mr.. Webb had no bad habits. H,
never used tobacco or intoxicants Il
ey any form. He was not a loafar IT.