davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
MARY HAMPTON
DANGEROUSLY ILL

Mary Hampton, daughter Of Mr..
and Mrs. Steve Hampton, of Belgrade,
who was suddenly stricken with a
severe affection Sunday afternoon at
the home of her parents above the
office and shop of the Belgrade
Journal, was Immediately removed to
the Deaconess hospital in this city
where she is being given every pos
sible medical attention, and where it
is said her condition shows no change.
Miss Hampton had been a patient
sufferer for the past few years from
spinal affection, which was slow
ly but surely yielding to modern med
ical treatments. The attack of Sun
day, therefore, came as a distinct
shock to her parents and to all those
who know her and loved her for her
many adorable traits of character.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26

the head above the center of the fore
head.
The remains are at the E. w. Har-
land funeral parlors awaiting the find
ings of the coroner's inquest which
will be held as soon as additional in
formation on the tragedy is secured
by the officers and coherent state
ment can be obtained from her hus-
band.
When the officers reached the house,
Maggard was seated in a chair in the
front sitting room, his clothing hathed
in blood, bullet wound in the right
side of his head above the temple and
the revolver on the floor. He ap-
peared to be partly conscious and
mumbled the words: "Thirty-two," Z"
''five-twenty-five Bozeman," and "God,
have mercy on my soul"
Recovery Is Possible
He was removed to the Deconess
hospital where it is thought he has
a chance for recovery, although his
speech or other sense or other organ
may become permanently affected.
DR.. R. E. Seitz is the attending ply
sician, and he says it is too early to
make a definite statement as to the
ultimate outcome of the mans in
Jury. although surgical history has
recorded a number of instances in
which men have lived for years with
a bullet or other obstruction in parts
Of the skull where the brain tissue
had not been injured. The attempted
renewal of such obstruction, however,
! CONTINUED on page 1O.)
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
COURT TURNS down
REVIEW OF DIVORCE

The supreme court in Helena on
Monday declined to issue a writ of
review sought by Nettie NJ. Gates
against the district court of Gallatin
county and Judge Ben B. Law. The
opinion was delivered by Associate
W. L. Holloway.
The application for the writ Of re-
view charged that Judge Law issued
an order modifying a divorce decree
granted the plaintiff from Jonathan
W. Powell, after the judges jurisdic-
ton had been terminated and without
process or notice having been served
on the wife. The plaintiff, granted
$1,000 alimony and custody of two OF
the three minor children, was married
March 25, last, 10 Elton Gates, a
miner, whom she alleges earns $4.75
a day, an amount insufficient to sup
port her and care for the children.
In modifying the decree after the
woman's second marriage, the court
relieved the husband of further pay
ments of alimony and gave custody Of
one of the minor children, previously
awarded to the woman, to the hus-
band.
The plaintiff asked the supreme
court to nullify the orders made by
Judge Law, modifying the divorce
decree, to restore to her custody OF
the second child and reinstate the ali
mony payments.
Judge Law heard the original di-
vorce proceedings sitting in Bozemar
by stipulation, in place of the Mad
ison county Judge who was disquah-
fed.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26

Prompted by insane jealousy,
thought to have been induced by re-
cent excessive drinking of moonshine
whisky, Stephen R. Maggard, aged
81 years, a rancher residing near Bel
grade in the vicinity of Shedd's bridge,
shot and killed his wife, Mrs. Vir-
ginia Belle Maggard, aged Sc years,
Monday afternoon at 1920 o'clock,
at their home, 525 Bozeman avenue,
north, after which he turned the gun
on himself and inflicted a wound in
the head that is thought likely to
prove fatal.
The body of the victim was found
lying in a pool of blood on the front
porch of the house by Sheriff Jim
Smith, Undersheriff Orville Jones and
Police Chief Granger. She had been
shot in the head and neck at least
three times, the first two bullets fail
ing to touch vital spot. Running to
the front door and falling on the
porch, she fell, her husband following
her and firing a third shot directly
into the brain. 1t is thought that this
is the shot which caused her death
at las o'clock at the Deaconess hos
pital where she and her husband were
taken Immediately after the tragedy
The bullet fired from a cheap .32
calibre five-shooter, had entered the
left side of the head and, after going
through the lower brain, had lodged
just beneath the surface of the skin
on the lower right jaw and caused ar
excessive swelling and abrasion. Two
of the shots had entered the top OF
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
TIMELY TIPS FOR
income TAXPAYERS

INCOME TAX IN NUTSHELL.
WHO? Single persons who had
net income of $1,000 or more or
gross income of $4,000 OF more,
and married couples who had net
income of $4,000 or more or gross
income of $4,000 or more must file
returns
WHEN? The filing period is from
January to March Is, 1924.
WHERE? Collector of internal
revenue for the district in which
the person lives or has his princi-
pal place Of business.
HOW? instructions on Form 1O4O-
A and Form 1O4O; also the law
and regulations.
WHAT Four per cent normal
tax on the first $4,000 Of net IN
come in excess Of the personal
exemption and credits for depend
ents. Eight per cent normal tax
on balance of net income. Surtax
from 1 per cent to 30 per cent on
net incomes over $4,000 for the
year 1928.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
CATTLE SLAYER IS
TAKEN TO THE Pen

James S. Taylor, the Bridger can
yon ranch hand, who confessed last
week to Judge B. B. Law in district
court to the brutal Staying of two
year-old heifer, the property of Lon
Shook, for the purpose of selling the
carcass and hide Of the animal, was
sentenced Saturday morning by the
local jurist to serve an indetermiaate
term of not less than one or moro
than three years in the state peni
tentiary. He was taken Saturday
night in custody of Undersheriff Or
vile Jones to Deer Lodge where Z
ate his Christmas dinner today at the
state penal institution.
At the time of his confession Tay-
lor made a plea for clemency, alleg-
ing that he wanted the money for the
purpose of sending it to his wife AM
children in the east. This and other
statements made by the defendant
were found by the court to be untrue
He had not sent any money TO Li:
family for more than year. 1lC
case of the State Of Montana agaiasi
Jacob Berer, local. hide buyer, wh'
was arrested by Sheriff Jim SmiSl
and Deputy Stock Inspector =. p
I Sellars for buying the hide of the an
imal for $1.52 and not making a re
port of the transaction as requirst
by law, will be heard later oefor,
Justice of the Peace Ed. A Franks
The date of the hearing had not beei
set up to yesterday.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
CHRISTMAS GIFTS
GIVEN KIWANIANS

ssKing Fun" held full sway over
the "day before Christmas MONDAY
meeting of the Bozeman Kiwanis
club held Monday at the Elks' club.
A full attendance, with the excep-
ton of four lone absentees, answered
the roll call.
Rev. Ed. Curry made a splendid
and refreshingly sensible talk on the
spirit of Christmas and its proper
observance. Mrs. E. L. Currier pleas
ingly rendered violin solo, accom-
panied by Mrs. Roy Wilson. Fred
Griffin's vocal solo was also very vel.
received.
A most enjoyable feature of the
meeting was the dispensation, to the
membership, according to annual Gus
tom, of Christmas gifts, the nature
of which were designed to be both
appropriate and timely. Lew Gracey
acted as Santa Claus in charge Of
the rift distribution. A short speech
of acceptance, if not gratitude, was
insistc upon from each of the re-
cipienis.
A She t address o. presentation was
made in each case by R. E. Bodley,
who explained the nature of the gift
and its probable use. The gifts were
handed to the recipients by George A.
Roosevelt and Dick Bailey.
B. E. Bodley, county agent, for
instance, was handed a package of
insect powder, the inferred suggestion
being that he use the disinfectant in
ridding the county of the pestiferous
grasshopper. H. S. Buell. was given
a life-Iike Kewpie doll which he was
advised to fondle now in then in lieu
of his first and only grandchild, Of
whom he is known to be inordinately
fond.
wally Orton was handed mouth
organ.
Earl Mcmahon, Ray Deem AM
Frank Kyle, recognized by all as th'
city's 'Amost perfectly bald-headed
est citizens, were each presented
with a newly patented combination
Hair brush and Mirror, the lates
product of the Andy Gump hairbrusl
factory. It is assumed that the ton
sorial implements were manufactures
before tie absconding of that arcl
scOundrS J. Ambrose Hepwing, whl
was to have provided the factor!
1 with a sufficient quantity Of bristle
to at least supply the holiday trade
but who grossly violated the conf
dence Of his friend and benefactol
Andy Gunp, and put him "on tn
rocks 50 to speak.
Mayer-elect Edmund Burke wa
Siven a paddock, typical Of the hos
pitality of the city, and Fred Brown
the incoming city manager, was give
the key to the city. Charles CarlsoI
received from Santa Claus. . hug
spoon, which he was advised 20 us
IN lieu Of D fork wfilp rassaking Q
the gravy Of Gov. Joe Bsxon's gzsx
Continued on page fF
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
SIXTEEN ARRESTS
OFYEGGSEFFECTED
THREE MORE MEN ACCUSED OF
COMPLETELY IN ROBBERIES
CAUGHT IN SEATTLE
Others Sought
Dyer and Martin are Formally Charg-
ed With Burglary to FOrstall Any
Attempt to Effect Their Release
on TechnicaIity-Butte Lawyer
Represents COffr0n.


In order to circumvent any possible
attempt to secure the release on a
technicality of the two men, Dyer and
Martin, now in the county Jail here,
an information has been filed direct
in the Gallatin county district court
by County Attorney E. A. Peterson
charging them with first degree
burglary, for alleged completely in
bank robberies throughout the state,
especially the Salesville State bank
robbery of November 9.
Dyer and Martin, together with
Frank Warren and Adolph Melcher,
were arrested in Salt Lake City fol-
lowing the arrest Of others of the al
legged gang at Havre and other sec
tions of the state in the raid and.
roundup of the bank thieves. An in
tercepted letter found on one of the
prisoners in the Havre raid led to
the raid of an old shack on the out
skirts of Salt Lake City, where the
police arrested Dyer, Martin, Warren
and Melcher Warrants were at once
obtained for the men on a charge of
grand larceny, and Governor ]. M.
Dixon was asked to have them extra
dited. They were brought to Boze-
man December in custody of sheriff
Jim Smith.
A full set of burglar tools with all
Of the apparatus. expert yeggmen use
in the successful plying Of their trade
were found in the rendezvous where
the men were arrested. Other valu-
able evidence, including the finding
of two school bonds which had been
stolen from either the Ennis bank or
the Sheridan bank last summer, was
found by Sheriff Smith. All this
property was brought back to Boze-
man, and IS now being held until the
men are put on trial.
Besides the kit of burglar tools and
the personal belongings of the men
, brought from Salt Lake City, a
search of the prisoners resulted in
bringing to light something over
$715 in cash, more than $500 of which
t belonged to Dyer, who is also said
: to have recently purchased Stude-
I baker. The car is being held at Salt
Lake City by the officials pending
disposal.
: Levinski Is Here
An attempt to secure the release
of William A. Coffron, alias "Billy"
Coffron, alleged Canadian gunman,
under haheas corpus proceedings, has
been made by his attorney, Henry c.
Levinski Butte lawyer, who was here
last week in the interests of his eli
ent. Levinslzi is brother Of Boze-
man storekeepery Judge Ben B. Law
set the hearing in this case for Fri
day, Dec. %, at 10 o'clock.
/ Johnny Reed, James Wilson and ].
H. Mason, alleged members of a
gang Of bank robbers that has for
several years operated in Montana,
other northwest states and Canada,
arrived IL Great Falls late last week
from Seattle in custody Of Sheriff w
| D. Requim and County Attorney S.
| R. Foot of Teton county The three
men are held in connection with ar
attempt to rob the Fairfield Nation
| al bank several weeks ago.
II Reed was taken by automobile &
| Choteau by the Teton county offie
ers and placed in the county jai
| (Continued on page 1o.)
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
DANNER WRITES
RELIGIOUS TOPICS
MAN CONDEMNED TO DEATH
FOR DOUBLE MURDER, DIS
COURSES ON SOULS
IMMORTALITY
NetO Theology
Letter Written for the Courier, While
Showing Illiteracy, Conveys Deep
Religious Thoughts and Explains
Condemned Mans Theory That Soul
Is Not Immortal.

At the request of Seth Orrin Dan
ner, itinerant automobile mechanic,
who is confined in the Gallatil couu-
ty Jail awaiting the carrying out OF
the death penalty, on Friday, jar. IL,
for the murder of Mrs. Florence
Sprouse,. following the murder of the
woman's husband, John Sprouse, on
the afternoon Of November IA, 1929,
the following letter is published IN
The Courier.
For the purpose of accuracy AM
so that the readers Of the Courier
may better judge the character of
the man and the slight extent of his
education thofugh the written word,
unadorned with either grammatical
elegence or editorial precision, the
letter is published just as it was writ
ten by the condemned man in his cell
in the county Jail. It will be noticed
that practically no punctuation is
used except where the Scripture is
quoted, when colons and periods are
inserted just as they appear in the
Bible. banners purposeless use of
capitals is also interesting and will
no doubt prove an enlightening
source Of study by psychologists and
others who seek for motives of
crime in the methods Of life and
habits of the convicted criminal.
Those who have had the opportu-
nifty of readiEs ssthe letter before Il
was handed to the Courier by Sheriff
Jim Smith for publication, are unit
in the opinion that if Danner is re-
ally sincere in his disbelief in the i'm
mortality of the soul, there is q
strong possibility, IN case he is guilty
of the murder of Sprouse and his
wife, that he will confess his crimes
either before the date of his execu-
tion on Jan. IL, or while on the scaf-
fold awaiting the drop of the traE
that will send him ito that bourne
from whence no traveller e'er re-
turns"
The letter follows:
Bozeman
12-15-2s
Since / have Bin in here l have haC
Several unsigned letters come to ms
Stating that they Wer interested il
! my immortal Soul and / am Publish
ing this indevoring to Reach them
Would have Written Them Personally
if they Would have given their ad
dress 1t seems to me that they Woult
have me Belive that man is immOr
tai the fowling is a heading Of one O
the letters / have received
Dear Sir and Brother
accordSlg to newspaper report yol
are in a Serious trouble and l feel
my duty as Christian to admonisI
and Warn you Regarding the Saliva
tion of your immortal Soul and So o.
the Word Soul and spirit occur il
the Bible approximately nine hundre
and fifteen times and never once i
the term immortal Connected wit
Gather of them the Writers of tn
Bible had nine hundred fifteen op
portunities to inform us that the Sou
is immortal But never did So Surel
this is Significant
a-wide-open door for Spiritualesm
afforded BY teaching that man ha
life himself-or immortal By natur
and that deth is not deth But ar
other form of life.
Continued on page 10.)
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26
INSANE JEALOUSY PROMPTS RANCHER
TO KILL Wife And ATTEMPT suicide
STEPHEN r. MAGGARD OF NEAR BELGRADE, SHOOTS
WIFE NUMBER OF TIMES IN HEAD AT HER
HOME ON BOHEMIAN AVENUE, NORTH
Inquest To Be Held

Jealousy Excessive Drinking Thought Have Been RepOn
sbIe for Double Tragedy Day Before ChrsmasBOarder
Arrested Held in Custody Testify at nquesaggard
with Bullet in Skull Has Chance for RecOveryS Discovered
Ranch After Tragedy and Whisky Maker Jack Johnson Ar
rested.
The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1923-12-26

DR.. and Mrs. o. L. DeVore enter
tanned at an elaborate Christmas din
ner to a number of friends.
New Britain herald., 1923-11-14
Politicians Run Up Periscope as
 Congress Dusts Off Its Silk Hat

or two minor changes in personne \ have been made in the administrative
 department of the government. Moth ing more-but conferences.
 Calvin Coolidge went into office a
 myth. He remains q mystery; but
 the glamour which surrsunded him | has been dispelled. and he is no long or hailed as the Messiah to bind to- gether the warning factions Of the na- ! ton. He will soon be forced to i broadcast to congress and to the world his views on the state Of the nation
 and its needs. His message will be
 seized upon and torn piecemeal by hawkeved politicians. will be fought over on the floors of congress. and nerhaps some Of it will be acted on. In which it will differ no whit from message, which have been transmit
 ted bv presid ents since the founding
 of the republic.
 In the field of foreign affairs, ii is to be expected that the Presidents s message will touch on the British liquor treaty. yet to he confirmed by the senate. The participation hy this country in the world court, as ad- yocatod by the late President Hard ing. will probably he laid before the Senate without urgent recommenda ton for its adoption. Plans for an economic conference of the Allied nations may Inc touched on.
 In the domestic field. farm relief will in all probability be the measure most strongly pressed by the Presi- dent. Steps toward more stringent government supervision Of the coal i'm dustry, in accordance with the report of the Coal Commission, will he an important topic. Reorganization Of tho executive depa rtmcnts Of tho Govern ment. as outlined by Walter F. Brown, who had been at work on the plan for two years. and whose plaus had the approval Of the late President. will be recommended; the creation of a new government department of Pubic Welfare. to include the Veterans Bureau. the pension bureau. and other related Hctivitics now scattered about. will be included with the re- organization scheme.
 Prohibition may be mentioned by President Coolidge, hut il is not ex- pected that he will request any further action from Congress on th. subject. The tariff is expected to he let alone: any recommendation con corning the finances Of the nation will consist of consideration Of taxation.
 Numerous other problems there are. which could ba included in the prosf. dents message for recommendations; but many Of them probably win go lhm"htionod. by th" President. They will all have their ard,nt spokesmcn n Congress, and tho neelaot will not sn unremrdicd
New Britain herald., 1923-11-14
Berlin Kicks Over Bill

A letter was received from First Selectman George B. Carter of Ber- lin, the letter accompanying a bill sent to-the town of Berlin for services rendered on September II, when a dining car of the New York, New Ha- ven and Hartford railroad company caught fire and the local department was summoned.
 The bill was for s100 and Mir. Car ter stated that no one had given per- mission in Berlin for the calling of the New Britain department and that it was not up to the town to pay the bill
 The board decided to send the bill to the rairoad company with the ex- planation that the apparatus was call cd out of the city to fight the fire.
 Permission was granted to the Fire mems Fension and Relief association ao hold it's annual entertainment and ball on the evening of December 31.
 Chairman John R. Keevers. Clerk John ]. keough and Chief Noble were appointed committee to prepare a budget for the next fiscal year,
 The traffic question again came up before the meeting came to an end, one of the commissioners calling at tention to the automobiles that race the apparatus to fires, cutting in on them and sometimes nearly causing accidents. It was decided that an ef- fort should be made to stop this prac- tice and Chief Noble was delegated to interview Chief William c. Hart of the police department and see If something cannot be done.
 The clerk was instructed to send out for bids for having the interior of the headquarters building redecor- ated.
New Britain herald., 1923-11-14
Three Want To Bc ri,en,en

Three applications for appointme Go the substitute force were received. from Edward ]. CroHin 0f Ss West street. Edmund r. erip of 6gs Main Trrst and John J. Noonan of Ss2 Park Hreot. Tine applications were accept d and placed on file.
 Monthly reports WIT, received and ac''apin'i and three injuries reports Ncr" alsO received.
New Britain herald., 1923-11-14
FORD IS HAVING GREAT,
 LUXURIOUS CAR BUILT
pullnhan Company Reported Building Most Wonderful pri,atr Gar fn
 ,mcrira.

Chicago. NoH lf.--Tbe most uNur. ious private car iu America is being bulli in ii" fHilmaa car shops for 1inry Ford. according to days Chi- lhEo Tribune
 Tjira bathrooms. sumptuols bc1- rouins. lr5 wing room equipped with electrically operated phonogra phs. a.s Aet' as brpadcssting and receiving radio -et and an electrical kitchen sre som" o' tEr features to be in. stallrd in tnc rar. the ucpspapei sscs.
 X ricHy appoint i oil-icr aud ae- commentators for .serrta .ios and the rar's "ofn niomcnt of servants arr 'n- c'udni la tha specifications. ,arc0rd- it : tD thr Trbuno.