Judith Gap journal. [volume] (Judith Gap, Mont.) 1908-19??, 1913-10-24
WALTER CHENEY
SHOT AT DENTON

Walter q. Cheney, Il brOther-in-laW
Of John Bring, was seriously if not
fatally wounded at Denton on Tues
day night while endeavOring to keep
Stanley b. Scoiield, a young home
Ateader from committing innumer-
able murders. Cheney killed Sco-
field.
Scoiield thought that he had been
nnwarrantably Tilted by Il young wo-
man Of Denton, Miss Hazel Wright,
and he planned to revenge himself
upon her and those instrumental in
her refusing his attention. lie went
to the home of his uncle and aunt,
MIR. and Mrs. James Johnston and
called Mr.. johnson outside instruct
ed him at the point of IA revolver to
take his automobile and go to Den
ton. distance of two miles, and
bring Miss Wright back with him as
he was going to kill her and then kill
him. The penalty for failure to re-
turn was that Mrs. Johnston and the
children were to be killed.
Johnston told Miss Wright and she
expressed her willingness TO 60 in All
effort to save other lives. Mr.. Chen.
ey, who was constable, and Justice
Morrow, were notified and accom-
panied the two doomed ones back to
the Johnston ranch. Cheney got out
some distance from the house and
cut accross. He diccerned a man in
the field near the house and called to
him to throw up his hands. The de-
mand was answered by a shot from
distance Of seventy feet. The two
men running toward each other
ctntiAued shootil g. Chtnty fired
three shots, all taking effect in SEQ.
Geld's head. The last one striking
him full in the face and penetrating
to the brain killing him instantly.
Scotield fired seven shots, the last
one hitting Mr.. Cheney little below
the left shoulder and passing through
lodged near the spine. The two men
fell at almost the same moment with
in II few feet Of each other. Mr. Che
ney was taken to Denton and today
to LewistoWn, where he is in the hos
pital. He seems to he holding his
own, but little chance is held forth
for his recovery from the fact that
= the proximity Of the bullet to his
spine has paralyzed him.
Scotield was homesteader who
had been in the state three years.
His parents reside at Tropico, Cal.
1t is believed that lie was deranged
At the time of til" shooting and that
il it had not been for the quick and
plucky action OH the part of Mr.. Che
1ley the death list would have been
greatly augmented.
Mr.. Cheney came to Judith Gap
early last spring and opened up an Of
lice as a contracting architect. lie
came from the firm of Geo. Burk-
head, architects of Sioux City, Ia,
and was formerly contractor Of
Vermillion, S. ID. Ihe McCaull-
Webster company realized the ster-
ling worth of the man secured his
services for the purpose Of opening
their new lumber yard at Denton OH
the Milwaukee between Great Falls
and Lewistown, lie was married tt
Mr. Brings sister, who died about a
year ago leaving him three young
children. Two of whom are with al
amt in Billings, while the baby is
with Mr.. Brings parents at Vermil
lion. Mr.. Cheney's friends, it may
most truthfully be stated. are mum
bered by his acquaintances. HI
showed his true metal when ne dash
ed forth in the night to overpower Al
insane man who was bent upon TIN
destruction of helpless women ant
children.
John Bring is at his bedside ant
will remain until there is a chang
in his condition.