davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
NEER, COMES FROM TRIP
THROUGH FRANCE.
VISITS HISTORIC FIELD OF MARINE

+. w. Decker, a well known en-
gineer who, with his associate, Mr.
Schwaderer, was employed on the
Milwaukee survey through this sec,
tion, is in the city. having come di
rect from the Orient. Mr.. Decker
said from China, through the Suez
canal and the Mediterranean to Mar
seilles, France. From that point he
journeyed to Paris, where he spent
several days and then went on to
Bouiogne and across the channel to
Folkstone, England. Mr.. Decker took
the White Star liner Srabic from Liy
erpool, arriving safely at New York
a few days ago.
While he was engaged in this sec
tion with Mr.. Schwaderer they pur
chased 4OO-acre tract of land on
Alaska bench and Mr.. Schwaderer has
been looking after this of late. Mr.
Decker came on to look after his farm
interests.
He left Shanghai on April 10, and
proceeded slowly on. his entire home
ward journey being very interesting
The shadow of the great war rests
heavily over all Europe, he found, and
in France "all the men are in uni
form and all the women in mourn
ing"
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
TOOK THE TABLETS ACCIDENTALLY
That Is the Finding Of the Jury II
Case of the Death of
Nellie Coleman.

The reports regarding the death of
Mrs. Nellie Coleman at Kendall on
July s. stated that death. resulted
from bichloride OF mercury poisoning.
Inasmuch as the decedent admins
tered the antiseptic tablets herself, it
was assumed that she took them with
suicidal intent, but as nothing regard
ing this phase of the matter had de-
veloped, the printed accounts did not
go beyond the statement of the known
facts. Owing to the absence of Cor
oner George Creel in the east it was
uncertain for time as to wether an
inquest would be held, but it appears
the official investigation was decided
upon. The delay in reporting the re-
suit was due to Mr.. Creel's absence.
The inquest was conducted by JUS
tice of the Peace Kelly and it was de-
veloped that Mrs. Coleman intended
to take some tablets to induce sleep
and accidentally took the antiseptic
tablets instead with fatal results,
Upon this showing the jury returned
verdict Of accidental death. The
facts were given to the Democrat
News Saturday by Barnier Bernier.
of Kendall, the administrator of the
estate, all the property being left to
Mrs. Mary Mclaughlin, mother OF the
decedant.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
W|N|FRED man STRUCK BY ENGINE
A. n. Purnelt Approaches to Close to
Edge Of Platform at Depot
and 10 Injured.

a, ii. Purnell. u young man who re-
sides ut Winifred, was stl uck by the
pilot OF the engine of train No. lit
at The passenger station Of the MIL
wankee Saturday morning about 8
O'Clock. A number OF people gathered
ut the station ut the time Witnessed
the accident, and there we're several
versions as to how IL happened. how.
ever, the actual occurrence seems to
be that Mr.. Purnell, who was waiting
to meet n friend on the arriving train.
was walking down the platform in the
same direction with the locomotive.
He was very near the track edge Of
the platform and being somewhat
hard OF hearing. did not realize that
the train was approaching. A project
of the engines pilot struck him and
threw him with some violence upon
the cement walk. DR.. Attix was sum
moned, and he found that the young
man had sustained several cuts and
bruises about the face az we'll az in
ternnl injuries In his chest. He was
taken to st. Joseph's hospital for at.
tention. While somewhat serious, It
In not considered that his hurts ore
dangerous. Mr.. Pnrnells parents
reside near Deerfield.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
BODY THAT Of
H0MESTEADER
OFFICIALS CONDUCT INQUEST
OVER REMAINS OF LATE
JOHN THORNTON.

Deputy Sheriff Slocum, County At
torney Frank Wright and Judge Ed
ward Brassey. acting coroner, came
on the train Saturday from Grass
Range, having gone out there Friday
by auto to make an investigation re-
garding the death of the man whose
body was found on the prairie that
morning near the northeast corner
OF War House lake. An inquest was
conducted early yesterday morning at
the Reed home and all the facts ma.
terial to the matter were brought out
Due to Natural Causes.
The decedent was John Thorton
aged about SO years, who had home
stead and desert entry in that section
He had been wandering around there
for some days. his mind apparently
being affected Thursday night he
was at the wagon OF the sheep camp
and acted in very peculiar manner
He was offered food, but declined tt
eat anything. The following morn
ing the body was found about 15(
yards from the wagon.
Thorton worked at one time on the
Winnett irrigation project. He hat
no relatives in this section, but Il
said to have sister in Canada. The
officials found that the body had moi
been disturbed and it was quite cleal
that death resulted from natura
causes.
The only article of value found OF
the mans person was a watch.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
ALFALFA MILL IS
T0bEERECTED
SOUTH DAKOTA SYNDICATE HAS
COMPLETED PLANS FOR IN
STALLiNG FIRST MILL.
LOCATION IS TO Be NEAR STRAW

Fergus county will have an alfalfa
mill The first mill of this kind will
soon be erected near Straw and Buf-
falo by a syndicate of South Dakota
men. M. II. Wise. of this city, is look
ing after the general arrangements.
and states that the only matter now
holding back the erection of the mill
is the delay over deciding on what
kind of power will be used to operate
the plant. II electric power arrange
ments can be made, this will be done,
but otherwise 1t will be steam power
plant.
There is an abundance Of good al
falfa land in that region and the new
mill will be close to both the Mil
waukee and the Great Northern. thus
permitting OF good shipping facilities.
The plant will cost about $4,000. but
II "A flour mill Is also erected, as seems
probable, the cost will be greater.
This will be an important factor in
the alfalfa business OF the Judith
basin. as 1t will provide a good cash
market The alfalfa meal manuiac-
tured will be shipped to the southern
states and even Cuba. where there Is
demand for this fodder.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
MANY WITNESSES FROM KENDALL
Were In the City Yesterday Attending
Contest Case OF Stewart
Against clsg0.

About twenty people from the Ken.
dali country were In the city yester-
day and witnesses In the contest
case Of Stewart vs. Clegg. which In
wolves $40 acres In sections IL and
l. township Is north, range II east.
This Is covered by a desert entry. but
1t IL alleged by contestant that the
claimant has failed to reclaim the
land. and that the yearly proofs were
false. Edward Brassey represents the
claimant and j. w. Barker the con.
testant.
Other Cases.
Three other contest cases have Just
been filed. Mary Klauda of Kelly,
Mont, contests the homestead entry
Of J. p. Harris. the tract being stu.
ated in section 8. township IL, range
2s. Abandonment is alleged.
Gustav Schulz has filed 4 contest
against the desert entry OF Lars TAT
jard, whose address IL unknown. He
alleges failure to reclaim.
Marion Lacock OF Franklyn has filed
a case against Hartzell Ball OF this
city for land located near Franklyn.
alleging entry was not made for him.
SELF but for another.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
CLERK CUNNINGHAM RECEIVES
NEW FORMS WHICH MUST BE
CALLED FOR BY NOTARiES.
THE COMMISSIONERS N SESSION

County Clerk and Recorder Cunning
ham has just received the new blank
cards which must be used in the
registration of voters, from this time
on.
The last session of the legislature
changed the form of the blank on
which the oath of the elector appears
Formerly this oath was on small
sheet, but now it must be on card
OF certain dimensions and this must
be filled in prescribed filing case for
ready reference.
The local office has transcribed all
the names of qualified electors who
are still registered to the new card
system, but all new registrations are
required on the new forms. 1t is thus
necessary for the notaries and justices
of the peace who are not already sup
piled with the new forms to call for
them, or to write to MIR. Cunningham
to send same to them. They are all
urged to do this.
The notaries and justices hereafter
can only register voters in their own
precinct.
Some Increases.
The county commissioners sitting as
a board of equalization have declared
their intention Of raising some assess
ments. and dates for hearings are be.
ing set.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
IN LEW|ST0WN AFTER
VISITING BATT[EF|ELDS

THAT isn't literally true, OF course"
said Mr.. Decker. "but 1t expresses the
situation generally. Paris Is not the
Paris of old. but like the rest OF
France. is facing the sacrifice unflinc.l-
ingly, with full confidence In the ulti-
mate outcome. While at the French
capital ! went out to Meaux. where
the battle of the Marne started. Ev.
dence of the conflict are seen every
where. First Is little cross where
the first soldier of the allies fell. and
from there on these crosses increase.
or course. in going on to Boulogne.
was well back of the line. but l
saw great numbers of troops. In
France and Italy there Is tremendous
enthusiasm. In very striking contrast
with the spirit across the channel. In
England the people take the war In q
strange matter Of fact sort OF way.
with little cheering, but still with q
dogged determination to win. There
is no excitement there and the peO.
pie go about their business as though
they were not engaged in q mighty
war.
kitchener's New Army.
What is called "Kitchener's new
army" is no myth 1t exists. l heard
the claim made that TX" now has over
two million men in training in Eng.
land, but he has been unable to use
them thus far because he cannot
equip them yet as he is determined to.
Shortage of munitions has greatly
hampered England in regard to this
new army. = 4
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
'D|SAPP PPEARANCE
IS MYSTERIOUS
HARRY DORNAN, WHO WAS EN-
PLOYED NEAR SUFFOLK,
is MISSING.
SOME PUzzLINC FEATURES OF CASE

A case OF mysterious disappearance
is interesting the people in the Suf,
folk vicinity and while all sorts of ex-
plantations are advanced none Of them
seem satisfactory.
1t seems that for some time prior
30 years OF age, had been employed by
to July 4 last Harry Dornan, man
Wickman Bros. on their farm near
Suffolk. He was good worker and
everything ran along satisfactorily
until July 3 when the Wickman broth
ers rode over from Suffolk to the
farm and We're surprised to find that
the stock had been neglected and that
the man was nowhere about. Three
hogs had died in the pen for want
of water and the other stock had suf-
fered some. After time Dornan was
discerned lying down in a field and the
Wickmans went out to him. He ap-
peared to be in a stupOr and all efforts
to get him to answer questions failed.
He was carried to the house and put
u bed, while the men worked on hlm
until midnight. There was some sus-
picion that the man was shamming,
in order to excuse his negligence. In
the morning, on July 4, he seemed to
be restored and said he was unable to
explain the stupor he was in the night
before. He went out doors and laid
in the shade OF a building, coming III
to dinner. Along toward he evening he
walked off in his shirt sleeves and
has never been seen or heard of since.
The man had five head of horses at
the farm and had wages due him,
while he left clothing and other eff
fects at the place.
Dornan is 30 years of age. of rather
light build, sandy hair and mustache
and wore soft white shirt, black felt
hat and blue bib overalls.
Sheriff Firmin Tullock has been
asked to give his assistance in trying
to locate the man, and anyone having
knowledge of Dornan's whereabouts
should communicate with the sherff's
office.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
OF BATTLES
CLOSE To WARSAW
Russians Turn and Fight Desperately to Stem
Teuton Onsaugh ght---Sent for Empress 50
Sure are Germans Of Fall Of Warsaw

LONDON. July 81 I0:16 p. ma
series OF great battles to decide the
fate of Warsaw is being fought to tho
northwest and south of that city. Hay
ing successfully retired to positions
on the rivers, and being well flanked
by fortresses, the Russians have
turned and are fighting desperately
to stem the Austro-German onslaught.
To the north on the river Narew.
they delivered yesterday three fierce
counter attacks from the fortresses of
Rozan, Pultusk and Novo Georgievsk.
The Germans, who had taken over one
out-work OF Rozan, repulsed these
counter attacks. according to the Off
cial report received from Berlin to.
night, but apparently have been nn-
able to make any further progress
southwark.
Immediately to the west Of War
saw, Oh what IL known as the Blonie
GrOjec line, the Russians have suffered
Il reverse and are retreating toward
the Vistula. Further south. the army
OF General Won Woyrsch IL making
progress toward the same river, which
has been reached ut one point.
To the south of lvangorod Field
Marshal Won Mackensen, who Is d.
recting the offensive between the Wis
tula, and the Bug, has reached the
Russian lines and here the greatest
Of all the battles Is being fought
for the possession of the LublinC Cholm
railway.
On the resistance the Russians are
able to offer along this front, where
the AustrO-Ger are making their
biggest effort, probably depends the
success or failure OF the Austro-G Ger
man operations. Apparently the Aus.
tro-Germans feel pretty certain OF the
outcome, for II IL said that Emperor
William, who Is at Posen, has sent
for the empress IN order to make the
entry into the Polish capital In state
when II falls
Things are moving d little more
quickly In Courland. where the Ger
mans claim to have met with sue.
cesses all along the line, bringing
them within striking distance of Riga
and the roads which supply that town
from the south.
There Is another battle In progress
along the borders OF Bessarabia, but
how this is going the official communi.
cations do not say.
The French have made another bid
for the valley Of the Fecht In the
Vosges. They have delivered several
attacks which have been partially sue.
cessful and have captured the heights
dominating that valley from the east
About the same time French airmen
dropped bombs on Colmar. Beyond
this and Il German attack In the Ar.
gonne, which the Germans claim met
with success. and another German at
stack In the forest OF Apremont,
which the French assert was repulsed
only engagements have occurred along
the western front.
The Italian offensive along the Is.
ONO continues and Rome reports
further progress. particularly on the
Carso plateau.
When the South Wales miners
learned of the settlement OF the strike,
thousands OF them returned to work
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
new MILL FOR THE SPOTTED HORSE

Maiden is looking up. The pioneer
central Montana gold mining camp has
an era of activity ahead of It, accord
ing to the residents who are now
clinging to the famous old town. w
S. Smith, the local furniture dealer
returned Saturday from Maiden,
where he went on business
Mr. Smith has good word for the
camp. He says that the SpotteG
Horse is having a new mill erected
on the property. and that mining con
ditions are excellent in the properties
near Maiden
The residents are all elated over
the outlook and Maiden seems likel,
to enjoy somewhat OF q boom.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
COLD ACRES CO,
INCORPORATED
A. S. WRIGHT is PRINCIPAL STOCK
HOLDER WHILE HAZEN AND
HANSEN ARE DIRECTORS.

Articles of incorporation of the Gold
Acres Development company were
filed Thursday with Clerk and Re-
corder Cunningham. AS Wright OF
Chicago being the principal stockhold-
er of the new mining company, which
will develop property near New Year.
Frank j. Haazen and j. M. Hansen,
both of this city are other incorpor-
ators and are named with Mr.. Wright
as the board of directors for the period
of three months.
LeWistown will be the principal
place of business for the company,
which is authorized to engage IN
prospecting, mining and milling activ-
tiles, in quartz and placer propositions.
The capitalization is $1,000, divided
into 1000 shares of 81 each. Mr.,
Wright is the subscribed of 998 shares.
each of the other men having one
share each.
Driving the Tunnel.
Mr.. Wright, who is in the city TO-
day from the Gold Acres mine, says
that work is going steadily ahead on
driving the big working tunnel
through the mountain and into the ore
body. The tunnel is now In dis
tance OF 200 feet, with 1000 feet more
to go By means of this big tunnel
the old tramway to the New Year
mill can be used. 1t is planned to
have the mill in operation by fall. this
year. Mr. Wright is in active charge
OF the work now being done. and has
20 men employed.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
NO JURY TERM OF
COURT UNTIL FALL
Jury In September.

Jury In September.
After consulting with all the men,
bers of the bar. Judge Ayers has
definitely decided that there will be
no necessity for calling the jurors
back until September /.
Ejectment Suit.
Ellida Roe has brought suit against
G. B. Fiscus to bring about his eject
ment from land to which she claims
the rights. The plaintiff alleges that
in May, 1912, she located upon 800
acres tract of land near the old Mau.
land postoffice, and has since com
piled with all the rules, regulations
and laws relating to public lands; that
she has enclosed the tract with sub
stantial fence and in good faith com
menced the work of reclamation; that
on June 20 last the defendant entered
upon the land and began the erection
of a residence. She asks for an or
der of ejectment and for $500 dam
ages. Attorney J. w. Barker repre-
sents the plaintiff.
Counreil Improving.
w. w. Counreil, the restaurant man
who was formerly in business here
and who was brought in from Mocas
sin Wednesday on an insanity charge
is rapidly improving and will be giver
his liberty. It seems that his menta
infirmity was the result of indulgint
in liquor.
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22

Taken a. assessment
makes fine show.-. the growth
of the cuonty. The large increase in
the total is the more significant in
view of the fact that last years as
sessment was made at a time when
everything was on the boom over the
country, while this year Assessor Rid
dick was much more conservative in
the placing of values on all classes of
property; SO it is fair to assume the
growth is even greater than com
parison of the total assessments of
the two years would indicate.
What Assessor Says.
Gratifying as the splendid increase
is, in the total valuation of the
county," said County Assessor Rid
dick, there are other features of this
years assessment that / regard as of
far more Importance to the taxpayers
of the county l was not elected as
SCISSOR to see how large an increase
could be made in the total valuation
of our county, but to endeavor to
equalize taxes along new lines that
would prove more favorable to the
smaller property owners. To me, the
most significant and important fact in
this years assessment is that while
the total assessment shows it's usual
normal increase and will provide in
creased and sufficient revenue for the
city and county, at the same time it
will make a substantial reduction In
taxes for at least three thousand Of
the smaller property owners Of the
county. In other words nearly half
the taxpayers of the county will find
their taxes reduced this year, and at
the same time no injustice or burden
is placed upon any other class of our
population. That, to me, is the most
important and gratifying feature of
the seasons work.
/, All the Land Viewed.
"Of the $4,000 different assessments
made since the first day of March
there is not a single one on file, SO far
as | know, that is not perfectly sat.
isfactory to the property owner as.
sessed. People generally have been
with the assessor, and have cooper.
ated splendidly in an effort to report
and assess all property equitably, and
special effort has been made by the
whole assessors force, not to get a
Ol6 dSSCooluCAI, UuL W iIldhc IL da
equitable as possible.
"The work has been unusually ar.
duous this year because of the intro
ducing of plans new both to the as
SCISSOR and the public, without using
the work of any previous year, the
whole work of assessing farm lands
city lots, buildings and personal prop
erty has been made from the ground
up by actual work in the field Every
40 acres of decided land in the county
has been viewed and classified ac
cording to its actual character, and a
permanent record made thereof. Under
the new plan of classifying land in
the county. thousands of acres of oul
best raw land largely owned by non
residents, is assessed double and
treble the old assessment. This sub
Fergus County Democrat. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-1919, 1915-07-22
FERGUS VALUATION
CONTINUES TO GROW
Assessor Riddick Completes the Task Of Max
ing assessment Of Fergus County--Excel-
lent Inc - is Shown
The assessment roll of F~rgus

The assessment roll of Trrguk
county is completed, ready TO
county board OF equalization, WI.
met Monday morning, and shows the
total valuation to be $18,O12,7S3, with
out taking into consideration the rail
road property in the county which will
be assessed by the state board OF
tax commissioners.
There are 319 miles of railroad in
the county. Two years ago the rail.
road property of the county was as.
sessed by the state board at little
over ST. 900 per mile. This same rate
of assessment will add $3,50O,O00 to
the county assessors figures, and give
Fergus county total valuation of
over $21, 100000, an increase of 81,
100000 over last year.
Lewistown's Valuation.
The total valuation of Lewistown
property is $3,OO7,O79, without taking
into consideration the railroad prop.
erty to be assessed by the state board
Last year 1t was $2,915,O34.
There are l,858,609 acres Of decided
land assessed in the county this year
as compared with 1,630,948 in 1914.
an increase of 227,661 acres. The to.
tai assessed value of the land this
year is $S,564,377. Last year the value
was placed at $8,503,602. The value
of the improvements on the land in
the county is found to be $1,042,255
Lsts year it was $l,026,O71.
The city and town lots in the
county are assessed this year at ST..
262,559, and the improvements at ST.
863,642. Last year town lots were
assessed at a total of $1,O03.817 and
the improvements at $1,65S,925.
The total assessment on all per.
sonal property in the county this year
is $5,225,685, an increase Of $249,470
over last year.
General Review.
A careful analysis Of the whole as
sessment shows that thousands Of
acres of farm lands in the county have
been reduced. that material reductions
have been made in horses, cattle
sheep and farm machinery. wagons
and farm buildings, that the assess
ment on town property has been made
lower in the smaller towns of the
county, that the values of Lewistowr
property as whole have remained
0UOuL Ms III tHo pdSI, anu Iudl Tile say
ing In taxes to those who find reduced
assessments, together with the large
increase is made upon the better class
Of the raw, unimproved land of the
county. upon railroad property, an6
by closer accounting of the larger
holdings of cattle, horses and sheer
and by the natural increase in the
wealth of the county.
Last year 35,567 cattle were re
ported for assessment, and 16,S4s
horses. This year the returns show
one-third more cattle, and an equa
gain in horses. The exact number ot
cattle in the county on March 1, 1915
was 47,265, and 24,145 horses 1t has
been one of the policies of Assessor
Riddick to make the value on eacl
animal less than in the past, and tt
ask every owner of horses of cattle
to account for every head, whether
he owned one or five thousand
Decrease In Sheep.
Fergus county is going out of thu
sheep business, as the homesteader.