The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-03-27
STORY OF THE CRIME

"
sherin James T. Webb Of. Yellow.
stone county was shot and instantly
killed at s O'clock yesterday morning
at the Voolfolk and Richardson ranch
near Roundup. Mont, by William g
Bickfourd, whom the -sheriK had just
arrested on charge OF stealing horses
in Wyoming. The only witness to
the crime was James Richardson, one
Of the owners Of the ranch, who was
unarmed and powerless to aid the
sherih. Mr.. Richardson brought the
body Of the dead sheriff to Billings
early this morning.
The bullet which killed Sheriff
Webb entered the breast to the right
Of the left nipple and 1t is believed
pierced the heart. From the direction
taken by the bullet 1t Is evident that
the murderer must have been kneel-
ing when the shoL was fred, while
the sheriff must have been dn the 20.
sition Of drawing his gun.
Sheriff Webb reached the Voolfolk
& Richardson ranch early yesterday
morning and informed James Rich.
ardson. one Of the owners It the
ranch, that he was looking for Bick-
fourd. Accompanied by Mr.. Richard
son he went to a sheep wagon in
which the herder was sleeping. When
he arrived there he entered and found
Bickfourd lying down. With his revolt
yer beside him.
The sheriff asked the man II his
name vas Bickfourd and the latter
replied In the Affirmative. He then.
asked him II he was from Canada, and
when Bickfourd said that he was not
but was from Wyoming instead, Webb
reached over and picked up the herd.
er's revolver, saying as he did so:
"I'Il take charge Of this"
He then informed the man that he
was under arrest for stealing some
horses in Ennis. Wyo. After talking
for a few minutes Sheriff Webb
and Mr.. Richardson stepped out Of
the sheep wagon and stood beside It
engaged In conversation.
Webb Reaches for Gun.
Suddenly Bickfourd stepped out OF
the wagon. holding a Winchester In
his hands, and covered the oflcer.
When sherin Webb looked up Bick-
tourd ordered him to throw up his
hands hut instead the shs iii jokingly
remarked, Go on with YOU" With
that Blckionrd raisel the rtne and
fred at the sheriff. but the bullet
struck the. dust ct his feet. Again
Bicktourd ordered the sheriff to
throw up his hands. and this time
Webb reached for his gun. The gun
caught in the scabbard, and at that
NW&
instant Bickfourd fired again. The bull
let struck the unfortunate omcer
squarely IN the center Of the breast,
probably piercing the heart. killing
him instantly.
After the sheriff had fallen Bick-
fourd approached the spot where the
sheriff had collapsed. and, with his
rife pointed at the PROSTATE body, re-
peated his warning Of "Throw up
your hands" As Webb. did not move
he stopped down and took the revolver
which the sheriff had taken from the
wagon from Webb's body ana put II:
In his pocket.
Richardson unarmsd.
Mr.. Richardson witnessed the whole
affair, but being unarmed was power.
less. AS he was walking toward the
dead body Of the sheriff Bickfourd
told Richardson that he was not going
to hurt him. Thinking that the sheriff
was only injured Richardson ran to
the ranch house for assistance. When
he returned Bickfourd had taken his
rifle and 80 or 40 rounds OF ammuni.
tion and disappeared.
After Sheriff Webb fell he never
moved . muscle, and It Is evident
that he was killed instantly.
Mr.. Richardson started to Billings
with the body Of the sheriff shortly
after noon yesterday and arrived here
early this morning.
sIckfourd Appeared Excited.
Mr.. Richardson says that after no
had shot Webb the murderer appeared
greatly excited. He walked away and
then paced back and forth for some
time before finally deciding which
way TO 10. When he finally did leave
he started In . northerly direction.
When Mr.. Richardson returned from
securing aid for the dead man. The
murderer had totally disappeared.
That vas the last seen OF him.
Slight Chance Of Escape
The news Of murder spread rapidls
and IN a short time noaaa hanNoA ~