davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

Maine, in 1889, he completed his
schooling in that state. After gold
was discovered in Montana, at the
age of %, he read Captain Fisk's re-
port of the rich strikes and deter
mined at once to seek his fortune in
the west. He struck out at nee for
st. Joseph, Mo-, where he took a
steamer as far as Omaha, on the Mis-
souri,. From there he proceeded
overland to Denver where, after dis
posing of his team and wagon, he
fell in with a stockman who hired
him to trail 125 head of cattle to
Virginia City, Montana. There were
only eight in his party, and the dan
ger from Indians was great. They
had six wagons, pulled by spans of
ken.
They had no real difficulties un-
til they reached Green river, near
Fort Bridger, Wyoming, when they
we're stopped by a hostile party of
Sioux and Cheyennes. These at first
demanded half of the steers they
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

company of friends who had assem-
bled to hear an account of their eX-
plorations. However, Mr.. Folsom
later prepared a most entertaining
narrative of the journey, and this
was published in the Western Month
ly of Chicago in July, 1870. 1t is
among the best popular descriptions
W written of that portion of the
park country along the route follow
ed.
This expedition had a strong in
fluence in leading to succeeding ex-
p%lorative expeditions in 1870 and
1871, which gave to the world exact
and official knowledge of the famous
Yellowstone wonderland.
Cook Real F-rontiersman
The dangers and hardships Incl
dent to a trip such as Cook, Folsom
and Peterson took into the Businesses
of the Upper Yellowstone were all a
part of the days work to Cook, who
already had spent five years on the
frontier. Born in Waldo county,
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

bodies were buried at county ex-
pense and as neither Flaherty or any
one else knew their names, he mark
ed them on his books as "Robber No.
1" and "Robber No. g."
Few Of Posse Still Here
Money found on the bandits con-
sisted of silver coin taken at the sta
ton, and one silver watch and chain
and one gold watch and chain. There
was no regret at their ending.
The bodies of Burrell and Probst
were shipped to their former homes
in Wisconsin and Michigan, at the
request of relatives.
Billy Johns, who headed the first
posse and who held the suspects for
later action, is a resident of Helena
today. N. P. Walters is also a res
pected citizen of the capital city.
Nearly all of the other actors in the
tragedy of more than 80 years ago
have passed to their reward, except,
perhaps, George Walker, who was
elected sheriff of Lewis and
Clark county and who is now a resi-
dent of Washington state, or was.
John x. Beidler, Joined the great
majority while residing in Helena in
the early nineties.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

fugitives hid themselves in a gully
and party covered with sand they
attempted a defense which was main
tanned until the last. The Johns
party did not bring On a fight, but
~contended itself with holding the
fugitive murderers until the sheriff's
bunch had arrived upon the scene.
Offer $500 Reward.
At the first announcement of the
tragedy at Silver station, Col. G. A
Broadwater, who was president OF
the Montana Central railway, offer
ed a reward of $500 for the capture
of the men. This helped to stimulate
interest and all kinds of help was
volunteered and all manner of ways
of getting to the scene of action were
freely offered, but that which seemed
best and quickest was by rail, and
placed all engines in the Helena yard
at the disposal of the man-hunters.
But they were not all needed. But
two posses were sent out. The first
was headed by Undersheriff Walker
and the second was in command of
Sheriff Jeffries. But the latter ar
rived on the scene too late.
Bied1er and Walters.
1t will not be surprising to know
that John x. Beidler was one of the
posse who went after the m~urderers.
The renowned vigilante, who had par
ticipated in many captures and exc
cutions of highwaymen, from George
Ives down the line, was on the alert
and his vigilance never lapsed. x.
Beidler took an active and prominent
part in the enterprise and it was due
much to his sagacity and to that of
another well-known Helena citizen,
P. Walters, that the pursuit re-
in the capture of the robbers.
When Undersheriff Walker and
posse arrived in the Willow creek he
found that Billy Johns and his
'anchmen followers had the outlaws
surrounded and that they could not
get away. Walker took charge of the
iituation and, being a humane man
wishing to avoid bloodshed and
tecure the capture of the much
wanted men, he approached as near
S he could ahead of the posse and
allied upon the two to surrender.
hey declined and it was then that
he undersheriff came near meeting
is death. Great but repressed ex-
was evident on every hand.
he posse was cool enough as a whole
ut there were several excitable in
lividuals who could be restrained
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29
BATTLE BETWEEN MURDERERS AND HELENA
POSSE STIRRED THE CAPITAL 81 YEARS AGO

with difficulty. And, while the un.
dersheriff was in advance calling tC
the fugitives to surrender, one of the
posse, a little near-sighted and much
excited by the strange situation, mis-
took the officer for one of the rob
bers and let drive at him with
high-powered rifle. This he repeated
before his mistake was discovered
Walker was not hit, but the bullets
whizzled very close. In fact they
came so close that he beat a hasty
retreat to the advance line and then
the battle began.
Fight to a Finish.
When the men positively refused
to surrender the order was given the
pose to open fire and soon there was
a fusillade of bullets flying in their
direction. The bandits returned the
fire for a time, but it soon ceased,
and when a rush was made by the
man-hunters the two men were
found dead. They had been hit with
25 bullets, it was learned afterwards.
One had Is bullet holes in his body
and the other had 10.
That ended the man-hunt and the
bodies were then taken to Silver sta
ton and to Helena for burial and
identification if possible.
The Killing at Silver.
The crime which was followed by
the destruction of its perpetrators oc-
at Silver station at 7:40 In the
morning of June 5, 1889. The muir
der was one of the most brutal and
Injustifiable eve perpetrated in
Montana or perhaps anywhere else in
recent times. That the two men shot
o death by the posse were guilty
was no manner of doubt. They
lad been at Silver station on the pre-
day and made no attempt at
,oncealment. They had asked many
questions about railroading in gem
,ral and appeared to be ignorant
themselves.
The men who committed this cold
murder and robbery were
ever positively identified. They APP
ear to have been strangers in the
ommunity. Subsequent search and
inquiry tended to show that they
yere fugitives from justice in Iowa
nd Minnesota. They we're undoubt-
dly relatives and presumably at
cousins from Central Europe or
inland. The remains were brought
Helena and buried by E. L.. Fla
erty, who had shortly before that
embarked in the undertaking
usiness in Helena and who is in the
anne line of business today. The
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

ter, learning something of placer
mining methods, and in March, 1865,
went to the new camp at Last Chance
gulch, where Helena stands today.
After a month he went to Diamond
City, then the trading point for Mea-
CHER county, where he remained for
five years, being engaged in placer
mining and also having charge of the
of the ditch company which
furnished water to the placer mines.
Diamond was then a boom camp, with
gold pouring forth from its rich dig
gings. In 1870 Cook was appointed
receiver of a milling company at old
Gallatin City, and after settling up
the affairs of that concern, he went
to California and Oregon, where he
bought a band of sheep. This band,
the third to be brought into Montana,
he drove to the Gallatin valley, but
located on his present ranch
near White Sulphur Springs. He has
served as county commissioner and
other offices in Meagher county,
for nearly half a century he
has been one of the leading citizens
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

were driving north, but after a long
council, Cook persuaded them to ac-
cept n animal and let the party go.
AS he afterward said, he swapped the
steer for his scalp. The party reach
ed Virginia City September %, 1864,
having been nearly four months COM
ing from Denver.
Hanging a Road Agent
When Cook reached Virginia City
the camp was just two years old, and
during the preceding few months the
reign of the road agents had been
ended by the Vigilantes, whose name
became a terror to evil-doers. Five
days before Cook arrived, one of the
last executions to be held lear Vir-
ginia City had taken place, hat of
John Dolan. The camp vas still
talking about it, and he heard all
the details.
Dolan, it appeared, was suspected
of having been a member of the
Plummer gang of desperadoes, and
the particular crime for which he
was taken into custody was that of
robbing James Brady, a miner with
whom he had been living, of $500
in gold dust. Dolan, also known as
Coyle, and still better by the nick
name of lizard Hat" disappeared
after the robbery was discovered.
The persistence with which the Vigi-
1antes traced and punished criminals
is shown in the case of Dolan. 1t
being learned that he had struck out
toward Utah, he was followed by one
John McGrath to Salt Lake, and
thence to Springville, where he was
arrested. McGrath brought his pris-
all the way back to Montana,
Virginia City, where he was
tried and sentenced to die.
At shutdown of September II,
strong parties of miners from Virgin
la City, Pine Grove and Highland
joined the Nevada group, all armed.
Dolan had been kept prisoner in a
hall used for dancing next to the
Jackson house. He was brought out
and marched between a double line
Of miners to the scaffold, which was
a butchers hoist about half a mile
northeast of the town. Six thousand
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

people densely packed every space
within sight of the place of execution.
The face of the hill was alive with
eager and excited people, through
whom the column of Vigilantes
marched steadily and in perfect 81
lence. At the gallows they halted,
and at a given signal the lines open
ed and formed in a circle SO yards
in diameter, with an interval of about
six feet between the first line and
the inner line. The outer line faced
the crowd, among whom we're many
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

petition began to discover hat press
ing business engagements would pre-
vent their going. Then came news
from Fort Ellis that, owing to
changes in the disposition of troops
stationed in the territory, the mill
tary portion of the party would be
others felt that a small party would
face tremendous dangers from the
Indians"
The expedition finally dwindled
down to Folsom, Cook and Peterson.
They determined to go ahead at all
hazards. The courage that it took
for three men to penetrate alone al
unknown and uncharted region, peo-
pied only by savage Indians who
thirsted for the blood of white in
vaders of their hunting grounds, can
be little realized today. No more
daring feat was undertaken by Mon
tana pioneers. That it had a sue
cessful outcome has always been con-
sidered almost miraculous.
The party of three had five horses
three saddle animals and the other
two for packing. The start was made
from Diamond City, then county seat
of Meagher county, on the 9th of
second day Gallatin City, at the
Three Forks of the Missouri, was
reached. The fourth day Bozeman,
a thriving frontier town, extended its
hospitality to the little party, and
Fort Ellis was passed. A trail was
taken up one of the tributaries of the
East Gallatin, and some m~arvelously
scenic country was traversed. Cross
ing the divide, the trio struck down
Trail creek into the valley of the
Yellowstone.
Natural Wonders Discovered
Following up the Yellowstone river
to its junction with the East fork,
inside the limits of the present park,
they crossed to the east bank and
continued upstream, passing through
many groups of hot springs east OF
The Grand Canyon. On September
p they arrived at the Falls of the
Yellowstone, where they remained a !
whole day. Some distance above the
they recrossed to the west
shore, and then assembled the river
JdSI ulpuuI mOuuldlu ana Muu VOL
to Yellowstone lake. They
vent to the extreme west shore of
he lake and spent some time exam
ming the surprisingly beautiful
at that point. Thence they
the mountains to Shoshone
axe, which they took to be the head
If the Madison. From that point
hey struck northwest over a toilsome
country until they reached the Lower
9eyser Basin nea Nez Perces creek.
1t was here they saw the Fountain
in action and many other
'henomena in that locality. They as
ended the Firehole river to Excel
Geyser and Prismatic Lake, and
hen turned down the river on their
way home. They were So days on
he journey, reaching Diamond City
n October IL, and they found their
riends much concerned about their
afety and about ready to send out
relief expedition to search for them.
So astonished we're the explorers {
t the marvels they had seen that {
hey were, on their return, unwilling !
D risk their regulations for veracity {
y a full recital of them to a small f
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

Is a lake a~sseSSablef
That is the question which is puz-
cling the state board of equaliza-
ton. John Edgerton, assistant to the
board, has received a letter from w.
f. Cowan, assessor of Gallatin coun-
ty, ~propounding the inquiry as to
whether the county board has the
legal right to levy an assessment on
Lake Hebgen.
Ordinarily Edgerton has an answer
ready for all questions regarding
taxation. In this case, however, the
boards expert was stumped. The
assessment of a lake was a new one.
So he has written the county asses
sor, advising him to lay the matter
before the county attorney for an
opinion.
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

armed were in pursuit of the bad
men, who we're seen to make a get
away as best they could on foot
across the open country towards the
Bear Tooth mountain and, the Mis-
souri, river.
Organized by Johns.
This posse was organized by Billy
Johns, a ranchman in the valley, who
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

Watch cuticura Improve Your Skin
On rising and retiring gently smear
thef face with Cuticura Ointment.
Wash off Ointment in five minutes
with Cuticura Soap and hot water. 1t
is wonderful sometimes what Cuticura
will do for poor compilations, dandruff,
itching and red rough hands.-Adv.>
The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1921-09-29

had been notified Of the tragic af-
fair. He led his men forward on the
trail Of the fugitives and, as there
was little chance of concealment on
the rolling hills east of Silver, they
were soon seen and surrounded. The
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12

AT THE TRIAL
OF c. HELMUS

or Max Moye, requested that can
celled checks and other records which
might be Of assistance in clarifying
any difficulties relating to Calderon' 8
account. be sent 20 them. Another
/ telegram purporting to be a reply 20
that Of MOye's from CelderOn, assured
the bank official Of a desire TO CO.
operate in any way. and advised that
( the records desired were in Juarez-
The telegram purpOrtinE to have
I been sent by Helmus to CalderoH ad-
Vised that cancelled checks be sent.
/ but considered the sending Of a check
register unnecessary The telegram
advised that the Formally was one
Of many things naturally 70 follow
banking consultations such as had
occurred when the First National
bank absorbed the Texas Bank and
Trust company.
Harper Ttestifies.
T. W. kayser, vice president Of the
First National bank, the next witness
said the telegram sent Calderon by
kavser had been constructed by him
-haySer regular morn
ing conference Of bank officials. Be
cause MOye was better acquainted with
Calderon than himself. he said, it was
decided 10 sign Moye's name 70 the
telegram.
]. l. Coggeshau. chief clerk OF the
Institution, and the next witness
called, said that he was head teller
alleged misrepresentation were made
he told Of conversations with Hell
mus IN February, 1920, in which the
latter explained that S12,5 in gold
was to be procured from the federal
reserve bank 10 be used i'm regular
business transaction The transaction
was TO be handled through his cage"
he said Helmus explained. He said
Helmus received the S12.500 on March
IL. The sum, he said, was again
turned over TO Helmus the following
day.
Says He Got the Money.
Rafael Urias G. private secretary TO
Helmus at the time the alleged vio-
lations We're committed. told Of taking
a letter from Helmus and a draft to
the federal reserve bank and Of re-
ceivinE S12.500 in sold from them
The letter. addressed TO W C..
Crump. cashier Of the federal reserve
hank at FL PasO, was introduced. af-
ter objections by judge Jackson had
been .overruled- The letter purported
to have been signed by Helmus, and
was to the effect that q draft for
s12.500 was enclosed 1t asked that il
be paid in gold coin, TO be delivered
To- Irias, bearer Of the letter, and eL-
planned that the money was for the
Juarez Banking and Trust company
The following day. Urias said. he
took the money 10 an express COM
pany at the union station The pack
aEe, he said was gent to Preside.
Texas.
To Pay Soldiers.
Another letter, likewise purportinE
20 be signed by Helmus and relating
20 the $500, was introduced. in
which IL explained 10 the one 10 whom
DO was addressed that the money was
20 pay soldiers.
The crowd in the court room Tues
day afternoon contrasted wildly with
the small number Of spectators pres
eut for the morning proceedings
Among the number which occupied
all seats and lined the walls OF the
court room were many women, some
Of whom stood through the more
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12

two hours with regard 20 various
matters"
At the end Of two hours. Helmus
and Murchison were left alone Juan
Creel. uncle OF Helmus, charged that
Helmus had not told the truth, and
demanded that the truth be given.
says Confession Made.
ITurchison said that Helmus finally
asserted that he would tel every
thing" but he didn't want 20 talk
to so many" His request was com
piled with, and Helmus, Murchison,
81 G. WcNary and Juan Creel went
into a room together, Murchison tes-
titled.
Helmus was asked with regard TO
various items Of alleged shortages,
Murchison said. Helmus, ne asserted,
admitted that he had forged the name
Of Gen Escobar to a check The de-
PENDANT. he said. also made list OF
various accounts which Helmus said
he had changed.
Does this list contain all the &C
countsg" Murchison said Helmus was
asked.
.Tts all I remember" Helmus an
swered. according 10 the witness
The questioning continued TOT SIX
OF eight hours, he said, when VIII IL
Pelphrv. county attorney. was called
Two hours later, Helmus was taken 70
Jail. the witness said
The list given by Helmus OF &C
counts which he admitted he had
changed. Murchison said, contained
the name Of IL firms. Murchison said
the defendant called of the names.
When Helmus was asked II he had
operated in other accounts Murchi-
son said. the defendant replied that he
didn't remember"
Jackson GriIIs Witness
On cross examination judge jack
ia e.=rH N ion
with regard 70 persons in the room
at the time Helmus first admitted the
defalcations 10 bank officials
Five or six men for 10 hours fired
questions at this boy without giving
I him a minutes reStt' Jackson asked
yes" the witness answered
"And some were capable ques-
tionersz| Jackson continued
They all talked pretty wells vas
To Insistent questions that Helmus's
alleged confession was secures
7 through promise or implied promise OF
/ Immunity or benefit Murchison re-
piled emphatically in the negatlV E.
Murchison said he and Helmus were
I good friends, and that he, as a friend
advised Helmus TO make clean
Questioned For Hours
On March 20. Murchison said, Hell
mus reached the bank at ESQ ?. H.
| he was Immediately called into
room with officials. For two hours,
/ the witness said. questioning brought
/ no satisfactory response from Hell
mus. Finally. Murchison said, Helnus
acrsed 20 tell all he knew, but he
asked that he talk 70 fewer persons
Then began the examination ne sald
which ended at 1850 o'clock at night
I when Helmus was taken 90 jail
Detectives Listened Outside
Detectives OF a private agency were
outside the door while Helmu5 was
being questioned. Afurchison said
Didn't Helmus tell you that short
T ages represented in the accounts
named by him had been brought 70
the First National bank from the
Union Bank e. Trust company and the
7 Texas Bank & Trust company Jack
son asked ---,-.
T answered
Didn't Helmus tell you that ne hao
/ az no time absrracted a cent. JACK
son continued
Didn't he tell you that the Moyei
/ were conversaut with these apparen'
/ SHORTAGES. which were inherited from
Continued on Page 3, Column ~
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12
FILL THE COURTROOM
AS PROSECUTION FIRES ITS
GUNS IN CARLOS HELMUS CASE

graphic correspondence which he SAID
had passed between him and Max
1loye, vice presidential the First Nat
ional bank. and Carlos Helmus. on
March IS. 1890.
kilograms Produced.
After Thomas Darling, superintend-
ent OF the local Western Union office,
had testified regarding methods fol-
lowed by his company in preservation
Of copies Of kilograms. the CORES
pondence was read into the records.
The telegram purporting TO have
been sent Calderon over the signature
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12
AUTODEALERS
DISCUSS PLANS
FOR 1921 SHOW

The first meeting OF the 1871 II
Paso Automobile show committee was
held in the chamber OF commerce
Tuesday afternoon. +. ~ BannelL
chairman Of the automotive trades
division, opened the meeting, appoint
ing the following members 70 serve
on the committee: o. c. NOungblood.
chairman; John Fleming. A. B.
Coates. P. W. Bittick and L f. Little.
Bittick is out OF the city and was
represented by G.. B. Bradley The
committee discussed ways and means
and without coming 70 any decision
suggested that the hst week IN
March would be the best time
IL was agreed TO call a mass meet
ing Of all the passenger car dealers
Of the city Tor s o'clock Thursday
night Of this week Every dealer or
his representative is urged TO be
present as the date OF the show.
number Of exhibits and scheme Of
decorations will be decided at that
time a subcommittee viii obtain
an the open dates at Liberty hall to-
day and submit them tomorrow night
Other details viii be presented at the
meeting. Il is the desire Of the COM
mitree 20 have all the important fac
tors settled at the Thursday night
meeting so that there will be moth
ing left 10 do but getting the models
here in time for the show.
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12

musg' ne was asked by 1Ir- NeilL
Il did not" was the reply
Bow much was required 20 balance
your account at the First National
after the arrest Of Helmus2" the
prosecutor asked
The First National bank paid 10
me the sum OF S29.01T, balancing my
account" he replied, and in answer
10 another question. said that pay
meut was made about month after
Heimus's arrest
Ea vs. asIzed with reeard @ tele-
El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1921-01-12
NIFTY ARE
EMBLEMS OF
AUTO CLUB

Radiator emblems Tor .mempers OF
been received by Miss Bueua Glider,
secretary, and they are now ready for
distribution TO all members who VIII
caH for them at the chamber Of
commerce
The embIems are Of white, blue, red
and gold enamel.
In ne center there is a red star
with the letters A. A. A.. in the center.
Surrounding the star is a round field
Of white. then a gold stripe. than a
blue stripe containing the name OF the
club. with a gold stripe surrounding
this.
The emblems are as nifty as any
thing in the United States, as the II
Paso club has on hand samples from
an the larger clubs and none are
prettier or more expensive