Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1913-10-28
STANLEY scoFIeLD, HOMESTEAD
Err FROM CALIFORNIA, SHOT
AND KILLED.
Fatally WOUNDS CHENEY
Brave Denton Constable Falls While
Trying to Save Others From the
Bullets Of crazed Man-Desperate
Pistol Duel in the Dark-Greater
Tragedy Narrowly Averted.
Mr.. Cheney died at the hospital at
II o'clock this morning.

Mr.. Cheney died at the hospital at
II o'clock this morning.
One Of the most shocking tragedies
ever enacted on the west side oc.
CURED two miles south of Denton, at
the James Johnston farm, last Tues
day night, when Stanley B. Scofield, q
well-known young homesteader, was
shot and instantly killed by Constable
A. B. Cheney, while the latter was
shot and fatally wounded by Scofield.
Back of the killing is a remarkable
story of jealousy and revenge. light
ened by the heroism Of two of the
principal actors in the drama, Con-
stable Cheney and Miss Hazel Wright.
A Rejected Suitor.
It seems that last year Scofleld, who
had resided in that section some three
years, began paying attentions to Miss
Wright, beautiful and refined young
woman, who has resided with her
parents at their farm near Denton for
five years. The intimacy between her
and Scofield was broken of at her re-
quest and soon afterwards Scofield ex-
pressed his belief that Miss Wright's
brother had some share in breaking
on the affair and said something about
getting even. Immediately afterwards,
however, he assumed a friendly de-
meanor toward the girl, and except
when he saw her with some one else,
did not appear to manifest any par
ticular interest in her.
Begins Drinking.
On Friday Scofield drank somewhat
and as usual on such occasions showed
an ugly disposition. He went out to
the Johnston ranch that day and spent
two hours visiting Mrs. Johnston, his
aunt. He had made that place his
home all last winter and, being ia
miliar' with his moods, she saw that
he was brooding over something and
he finally remarked that some people
had been ''butting in on his affairs
and he was going to get even with
them. She tried to soothe him, and
he went back to Denton and did some
more drinking Saturday, but not
enough to become intoxicated.
Tuesday evening last at 1880 he
went to the Johnston home and
knocked. The door was opened by Mr..
Johnston, who had just returned from
working on bridge, and Scof1eld
asked him to step out. AS he did so.
Scofield quickly got between Johnston
and the door and, covering him with
his Savage automatic, said:
"YOu have got to get your auto out,
go to Denton and Bring Hazel here;
you can"
Taken completely by surprise and
startled, the rancher obeyed and went
to the car, when he asked to be al
lowed to go back in the house and get
his coat. Scofield would not permit
this, but called to Mrs. Johnston to
throw it out, when he examined it
carefully before giving it to the owner.
AS Johnston prepared for his trip,
Scofield further enlightened him as to
his plans.
'If you fail to bring Hazel back
here" he said, I'll kill your wife and
children. If you bring any one with
you but Hazel I'll kill the whole bunch.
When you get back you may go in and
talk with your wife and then am 60
ing to kill both you and Hazel. After
that l intend to kill John Eppers and
go to the Wright home and kill some
people there. Now co."
Speeds to Denton.
Mr.. Johnston made all haste in get
ting to Denton. found Miss Wright i'm.
mediately and told her Just. what had
occurred. The girl knew Scofield we'll
enough to realize that this was no
bluff and that the man would make
good his threat to the last detail so
far as he was able to accomplish 1t.
While it looked like certain death to
return to the ranch, she knew that to