Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1911-08-01
CONTRACTOR, ARRESTED FRIDAY
NIGHT, CLIMBS DOWN
FIRE ESCAPE.
IS WANTED IN BILLINGS
Accused of Obtaining Money Under
False Observation-Disclosures New
Name Upon Coming to Lewistown
Was Doing Thriving Business
in This City.

HAS anybody here seen Masten,"
Is the title OF new refrain now be-
ing generally heard about the streets
OF LeWistoWn these days, with the
boys In the sheriff's office joining In
strong on the chorus. There are quite
a number of people who would like
to see Masten, among them being
Sheriff Woods and Deputy Frank Big
len. They all have some unfinished
business to transact with the gentle
man. Few people ever came to Lew
istown, started and left uncompleted
SO much business as Masten. For
two months or more he has been the
proverbial little busy bee Of this burs
and his sudden departure Is mOurned
by many and for various reasons.
Had New Plan.
A few weeks ago, w. Il. Masten ar
rived here, deposited several thou
sand dollars in local bank and an
nounced that he was on the spot for
the purpose Of revolutionizing the
building industry. For fifteen hun
dred dollars he could construct
mansion with all modern convent
ences. He had plausible way Of
putting up his scheme and was soon
busy on houses In all parts Of the
aity. Tho Ma1tcn DuDuIe UuSLe0 ianI
Friday evening. when the local
sheriff's office received a warrant
from Billings for Masten's arrest. on
a charge of obtaining money In that
city under false pretenses. 1t appears
that he was ]. w. Selkin in the Sugar
City, but for reasons best known to
himself, switched the combination ON
his name when he came to another
field. Everything was going Masten-
Selkin's way until former resident
of Billings recognized him on the
street as the self-same gentleman who
| had worked confidence game In the
Yellowstone town.
Went to Pack Trunk.
Masten did not appear to be great
ly surprised when he was placed un-
der arrest. He simply requested that
he be permitted to go to his room at
the Bright hotel and pack few
things which he desired to take with
him. The officer permitted him to
go up, at the same time keeping a
casual eye on the stairway and ele-
yatOr.
But Masten had ideas of his own
about making a fitting exit from the
hotel. He went up the steps, has
tened around to the fire escape.
slipped out and down and then
vanished in the darkness.
Officers Find No Trace.
Sheriff Woods quickly had large
force of men riding the streets and
keeping watch on all OF the roads
leading out of the city. Vacant build
ings and other probable hiding places
! we're searched, but not sign ol
Masten. Several people, who were
unaware of his arrest, claim to have
| seen Masten that evening, but he was
careful not to come within the no
tice of an officer. The wires nave
been kept hot and all trains have
, been watched, but the earth might
have opened up and swallowed Mas
: ten, for all the good these efforts have
: ayailed.
Loss Is Not Great.
: It is not believed that there will bt
, any serious losses to local business
: houses and residents by reason ol
/ Masten's entanglements. His aHalrs
are in a decidedly muddled condition
: but 1t is believed that way Will DC
!. found to complete the houses started
3 and nay off most of the obligations
which he had incurred.