The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-04-28
ADMITS MANY
PETTY TnEfT'S
JOHN MINER GETS NINETY DAYS
FOR PETTY LARCENY.
VICTIMS ARE NUMEROUS
Telephone Company Employs Arrest
ed at Healy House-DeniesYHis Guilt
at First, but Finally Pleads Guilty
-Plunder Recovered.

From Sundays Daily.
John Miner, who has been in the
employ Of the Bell Telephone COM
pany In this city for some time past,
guilty to q charge Of petit
larceny in Justice Mann's court yes
and was sentenced to 90 days
in the county Jail. That Miner was
responsible for numerous thefts that
have been discovered recently is evil
denced by the amount Of plumber re-
covered by the police.
It is believed that Miner stole a
$3.50 pair Of boots, which were
found in his trunk, and are claimed by
an employe of the Telephone com,
pany, as well as a diamond ring, look
ing glass and string Of beads belong
ing to the late Mrs. Barstow, q number
of tools belonging to the Bell Tele-
phone company and several Of their
employees, several razors and numer-
GUS other articles belonging to guests
of the Healy house, where Miner had
roomed since his arrival in Billings
last November.
His Friends Surprised.
But little Of the stun which It Is be-
lieved that Miner stole has been recov-
cred, but the boots, razors and some
of the tools are said to have been
identified by claimants. It is alleged
that Miner stole the boots from a fel-
low employe at Great Falls.
Those who knew the young man
intimately express great surprise over
his arrest and the consequent discov.
cries Of theft, and his fellow-employea
say that although they aware
that tools we're being missed from the
Bell Telephone Office in this. city, nc
one suspected Miner Of taking them.
His arrest was due primarily te
Tom Healy, proprietor OF the Healy
house in this city, finding him in 9
dodgers room Friday noon, while the
guests were at dinner. Healy says he
he discovered Miner r%ansacking the
room and that he had placed a chair
against the door to keep out intruders
AS numerous articles had been missed
from the Healy house for some time
past, Mr.. Healy notified Chief Talgt
OF the affair and Miners trunk wa
searched.
Made No Protest.
When Chief Talgo arrested Miner
the latter was in bed and when thu
chief informed him that he was unde
arrest Miner never said a word-no
even asking on what charges or 4
the officer had a warrant. He simpl,
dressed himself and, without protest
accompanied the chief to the polio
station, where he denied his guilt
Chief Talgo believed then tina
Miners silence was a stronI
indication of guilt, since h
says that in his experience a
an officer he never before arreste
a sober man who did not ask the res
son or demand to see a warrant.
It is said Miners thefts have e.
tended over a period Of severe
months and that he even stole sue
small articles as q pair Of Boston ga
tiers. The garters, which he was weal
ing when arrested, are said to be tn
property Of Bob Everett, q meat d
liveryman of Billings and, 1t is elaine
that razors found in his trunk hav
been identified by dodgers at th
Healy house.
Came From Pennsylvania.
Miner, who was known as "sunn
Jim" by his friends, is said to hay
come to this city November I, las
from his home in Braddock, Pa, an
has been in the employ Of the Be
) Telephone company from that time u
til last Wednesday. He returned
Billings from Great Falls about Apr
/. It has been stated that in Gre
Fails he was suspected Of stealing s.
from a fellow-employe, although Il
fact that he was suspected did n
develop until after his arrest yeste
, day. st
The police say that Miner admri
that he is an ex-conyict and that
> has served time in the house Of CORE
tion at Morganza. Pa. Although y
boots found in his trunk have be-