The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-08-08
LANCER MAY
FACE IMPEACH-
MENT TRIAL
Is Blamed for Neglecting Duty In
Case Leading to Murder of Bowen.

Impeachment proceedings may be
instituted against Attorney General
LANCER for neglect of duty in con-
nection with the cattle poisoning
cases in Golden Valley county and
the murder of M. K. Bowen, Non
partisan Lacquer on his ranch near
Beach, n. d., by men who had been
deputized by the anti-League admin
istration of Golden Valley county.
Evidence is accumulating to show
that Attorney General LANCER, act
ing apparently in harmony with the
strongly hostile anti-farmer authori-
ties of Golden Valley county, re-
peatedIy refused to take adequate
steps to investigate the death Of
hundreds of head Of cattle, belong
ing mainly to Mr. Bowen, and to ap-
prehend the culprits, and that when
under pressure a state detective was
employed and evidence was discov-
cred Of cattle poisoning, Mi. LANCER
discharged the detective and failed to
act.
VICTIM A Lacquer
The murdered man was q staunch
member Of the Nonpartisan League
and had incurred the deadly enmity
Of the county authorities by opposing
them and by circulating petitions
against them charging them with
having stolen an election and by as
serting it was politics that prevent
ed the running down of the cattle
poisoners. The fact that Attorney
General LANCER is an inveterate foe
of the Nonpartisan League is be-
Hcved to account for his failure to
investigate the cattle poisoning cases
and give protection to Mr. Bowen
negligence, no doubt, responsible for
his death.
The Staying came as the climax OF
more than a year of mysterious cat
tie poisoning in which Bowen lost
between 200 and 800 head. Believ-
ing it impossible to live in peace and
safety any longer in Golden Valley
county, he went about two weeks ago
to Canada to seek a new home. While
he was away cattle belonging to b.
R. Ossley were repeatedly turned into
his pasture at night. When Bowen
returned he drove the cattle out
again, but found them in the pasture
the next morning. He drove them
into his corall. According to the
story, B. R. Ossley came later and
demanded them. Bowen is said to
have refused to give them up until
damages were paid on them.
SLAYERS DEPUTIZED
Shortly after this Ossley came
back with a replevin from the coun-
ty authorities. With him were +. W.
Taylor, John Stark and a man named
Shepard. Taylor and Stark had been
deputized by county authorities. lay
lor is accused of having threatened
Bowen's life prior to this. Mrs
Maud Bowen relates that Iayio'
handed the replevin to Bowen anc
swung the gate open to let out the
cattle. Then he drew a revolver ano
someone shouted, Get him." Two
shots followed and Mrs. Bowen
rushed to the house for a gun. The
coroners' jury found four bullel
wounds, two evidently from a a
calibre and two from 81 callbre pls
tol, indicating that two of the mer
did the shooting.
The four men were afterWart
placed under arrest, but were allowed
to be at large later without pan
They were also allowed to assoclat'
together and agree if they wished
on a story of murdr. Taylor hat
previously claimed self-defense.
About a year ago at the request o
Governor Frazier, LANCER sent
youthful lawyer to investigate th'
poisoning cases. He pooh-poohe'
the idea of cattle poisoning. Govern
or Frazier than engaged the service
of DR.. ]. B. Hollenback of the Unlte'
States department of animal nus
bandry. who were unable to find an,
traces of known diseases in the cat
tie, but federal experts found pow
der in parts of the carcasses sen
them which baffled their analysis
Then the state hired detective Wh
made report urging the authorize
to take action.
LANCER REFUSES TO ACI
Neither Attorney General Lange
nor the states attorney OF Code
Valley county made move. a
least three citizens of Golden Eane
county have declared that this detef
tive unearthed sufficient evidence I
warrant the arrest of two person