The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-01-12

ZION mas been told III a dozen dill
ferent ways, most stories being
widely divergent. One was to the
effect that Slade, finding REM tied
to a corral post, began shooting at
him, wounding him each time in a
spot that was not vital. This, ac-
cording to the version that gained
the widest circulation, continued
over space of several hours, Slade
taunting his victim meanwhile. He
is then said to have finally killed
REM and cut off his ears.
The story more generally credit
ed with being true, however, is told
lby N. P. Langford, in Vigilante
Days and Ways, as follows:
Jumping from the box of the
coach upon its arrival at the stage
station, Slade walked hurriedly to
the door of the station, drawing
pistol from the belt of a bystander
and remarking, I want this He
then came out, and at rapid gait
walked to the corral in the rear of
the station, where REM was a pris-
oner. AS soon as he came in sight
of him he fired, intending to hit
him between the eyes, but the bull
let went low and struck him in the
mouth, glancing off without doing
material injury. REM sank down
and simulated mortal agony so we'll
that for a few moments the people
around the corral supposed the
wound was fatal. Slade discovered
the deception at a glance.
Z" I have not hurt you, said he,
and no deception is necessary. /
have determined to kill you, but
having failed in this shot, I will
now, if you wish it, give you time
to make your will.
"Reni replied that he would like
to do so; and gentleman who was
awaiting the departure of the coach
volunteered to draw it up for him.
The inconvenience of walking back |
and forth from the corral to the
station, through the single entrance
in front of the latter, made this a
orotracted service. The will was
finally completed and read to REM.
He expressed himself satisfied
With it, and the man who drew it
vent to the station to get pen and
nix, with which he could sign it.
When he returned minute later,
seni was dead. Slade had shot him
I the head during that temporary !
bsence." It
Slade Goes to Montana
Slade was not even censured for /,
llling REM and he retained his !
osition as division agent for a J.
,uple of years. He was consider J
the most efficient man on the :
verland system. He had fire. I
lent trouble with ranchmen and q
loon-keepers. At one time after d
lie of the latter had violated
cond request to sell no liquor to
$ employees, Slade riddled the sa- r;
on and poured the liquor it con- -
med in the street. On one occa- -
On Slade and his men, without i;
ovocation, took possession of the .,
tiers quarters at Fort Halleck.
e was followed to Denver and NJ
rested, and the army officers 4.
'uld not release him until the &
mpany assured them that he -
ould leave the division. This /;
rev him out of employment, and
began his career of lawlessness {,
At ended on the gallows. -,
After Alder Gulch was discover to
Slade went to Virginia City and m,
ated ranch on Meadow Creek,
miles from the camp. In wild m,
lch he built stone house that co
i stands. There he established tn
wife, who was a remarkably
ndsome woman and whom he m;
ed dearly. lief
olade now began series of acts CO
violence that made him the ter be