The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26

the prisoners. Gordon discounted
any wild tales that have found pub
alton in Montana, but he linked up
many recent major crimes in the
northern part of the state with the
activities of the gang.
Served Prison Term
Young Reed has, according to in
formation procured by the authori-
ties, spent two years iii prison in
Alberta for robbery. After his. re-
lease three or four years ago., the
officers believe, he gathered around
him the men who composed the orig
inal bandit gang, from which Arthur
j. Davis later broke away with a
gang of his own after a row with
Reed. Davis now is en- route from
Stockton, Calf, to Conrad in the
custody of Sheriff S. F. Stake of Pom
dera county. Roy Huger, Havre To-
connective fireman, also is believed to
have been a member of the original
gang.
Davis already had a long criminal
record at the time he is thought to
have joined Reed. He drifted into
Montana from the southwest, where
Detective Gordon knew him and knew
of him for years.
The first breach between Davis and
Reed, according to the officers in
formation, came after the robbery Of
the Homestead bank in 1921. The
gang was fleeing in an automobile
near Williston, N. D. Being closely
pursued, Davis jumped from the car
despite the remonstrances of Reed,
the story goes, and later was cap
tured. He served part of a prison
term and was paroled in September,
1922. It is claimed that Reed helped
in various ways to bring about his
parole.
Invaded Canada
After Davis was freed, Reed is be-
lieved to have had nothing more to
do with him, so far as pulling jobs
was concerned. At about this time
Reed seems to have shaken the dust
of nothern Montana from his hunted
feet and invaded Canada. In the do
minion from all indications, he en-
jOyed a prosperous winter. Canadian
officials charge him with the looting
of several large banks, among them q
bank at Dollard, Sask., from which
about 100000 was taken. 1t is claim.
ed that Reed and his Canadian part
ners, Mason and Wilson, known in
yegg circles as Dutch Palmer and
Harry Miller, enjoyed a life of wine
women and song up and down the Pa.
cific coast all last spring and sum
mer on the proceeds of their winters
work in Canada. Reed is said to have
sizeable bank accounts at present.
In the meantime, Reed having left
Montana, Davis, released from prison
is believed to have decided to recouI
his shattered fortunes. Around hin
gathered, according to the account
the remnants of Reeds old gang, Roy
Hanger, Doc Walkup, who now art
in the Helena Jail, and another mar
not yet arrested. They are believed
responsible for most of the bank rob
berries in Montana late in 1922 ant
early in 1928.
Davis-Dyer Band
About this time, "Bad Eye" Georg,
Dyer, a convicted yeggman, was pa
rolled from the Montana state peni
tertiary. This was last June. Davi
and Dyer are believed to have know
each other in the southwest and serve
time together in the Montana prison
The theory is that they joined force
last summer, summoning to their al
George Martin, suspected of being
notorious rum runner and automobil
|, thief, and Billy Coffron of Havre. TIL
/ latter two now are in jail in this cit
awaiting trial for the robbery of
{ bank at Salesville. Martin was al
rested in Salt Lake City and Coffro
in Havre.
Adolph Melcher and Frank Warner
arrested with Martin and Dyer in Sa
, Lake City, are thought to have bee
identified with one gang or anothe
Warren being accused of responsible
in connection with northern Montar
robberies, and Melcher of one or tv
in the southern part of the state.
That two or three of the m,
brought to Great Falls are wanted |
Canadian officials, especially Reed,
the general impression. A Saskatch
= wan official was in the city a fe
? days ago, on investigation, and anot
q er from Alberta was in Great Ia
% Friday.
The decision to place Wilson a.
TX 80 = A. ID --.--A-~ Ill -.