davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11
STORY OF CON K0HRS; GAME TO MONTANA PENR00LESS
ER@DGEAMT Boy WHEN HE DIED WAS WORTH "A MILLION

rUST OUTSIDE the little city OF
II Deer Lodge stands the old home
x of Conrad Kohrs, for many years
the cattle king of Montana, and
whose cattle by the thousands roam
ed the ranges in southwestern, CEN
trail and northern Montana.
The old house, of which the ac-
companying cut was taken from a
rough sketch made in the early days,
was built in 1862 by John H. Grant,
pioneer stockman, and was known
as Johnny Grants place. Along with
the ranch and cattle, the house was
bought by Kohrs in 1856 and there
he lived for many years until he re-
moved to Helena during the latter
years of his life and where he died
July %, 1920, at the age of IS, one
of the wealthy men of Montana.
Kohrs took to the sea in his boy
hood, later coming to America where
he engaged unsuccessfully for sew
eral years in placer mining in the
west, and then drifted into the but
cher business, in connection with
which he was several times down and
out but persevered and finally was
rated as a millionaire.
During his early days in Montana
his stock was stolen by the Indians
and he was unable to collect for
much of the meat he sold to the
miners. 1t is told of him that in the
fall of 1863, while on his way to
Deer Lodge to repay money he had
borrowed from Grant, he had mar
row escape from robbery and death
~. 4f &c To ha
stopped overnight at Camp creek
and while hunting for his saddle
horse the next morning was inform
ed by a half-breed herder that two
men who had been there the previous
night we're after him.
Kohrs had large sum in gold |
dust and naturally felt anxious. He
mounted his horse and dashed away |
towards Deer Lodge, 81 miles dis
tant Two horsemen soon came gal
looping after him. He lightened his
load by throwing away his blanket
and overcoat and the race for life
continued to Deer Lodge, covering |
the distance in six hours and arriv-
ing there Is minutes ahead of his
pursuers. Later Kohrs was mem
Der of Vigilance band which cap
tured one of the pair in the Big Hole,
and the other, Bill Bunting, later
paid the penalty of numerous crimes
on the gallows.
In 1885 Mr.. Kohrs was induced to
write a brief history of his eventful
life in the pioneering days from
which the following most interesting
features are quoted:
81 was born in Holstein, Germany,
n 1885. At the age of IA years
eft Germany and followed seafar-
ng life until the fall of 1852, when
! came to New York. I remained
here until December, 1853, and
vent thence to Davenport, Iowa,
where I remained until 1857, and
hen started for California I re-
NAMED there short time and then t
vent to the Fraser river, during the /
,old excitement there. I went up !
he river in the summer when the ]
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11

Il worked along and got pretty
near out of debt, but all the money
went on the books. / had the books
full and had no money. At this time
got a letter from Grant John H.
Grant, who was at Fort Benton and
he wanted me to send him the money
/ owed him. / went to Virginia City
broke, hunting up the fellows who
owed me money; nobody had any
money SO I remained broke.
"a gentleman from Colorado,
George Gohn, who is in Virginia City
today (1885) set me up in business
again. A few days later herd Of
IA head came in and I bought them
from Joe Blotchett. / started in
business at Virginia City in a little
brush shanty where Main street now
is. 1t was not long before the dust
got deep and I went to Summit.
started there in a brush shanty made
of poles set up and fine leaves on the
top for roof. I slept in corner
of the shanty.
II did very we'll there and got my
cattle from Deer Lodge during that
summer. In the fall herd of 200
came in from the Bitter Root and I
bought them and drove them over on
the Sinking Water, which is now
called the Ruby valley. I rode
little jack ON this trip that I used
to peddle meat in Virginia City. After
this I had a little money and went
to Deer Lodge and paid off all my
debts with the exception of one debt |
of $1,100 I had $4,000 when l
went there: $1,100 to pay off old |
debts, and $1,100 to buy more cat
tie with.
II met Johnny Grant there. When |
I bought my cattle he said, You can
have them at your own price Well,
| paid him a good, round sum. I got
cattle that trip at SIS per head. Beef
,attle got scarce about this time and |
got from Is to 80 cents per pound |
'or meat that cost me about bit a |
pound. That was actually my first
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11

ton it appears that gold was found
there in the middle of July, 1862.
A man whom history has known
only as Harlbert, one of a party of
prospectors who came up the Mis-
souri, river, discovered the Prickly
Pear diggings at the point where
Montana City was afterwards built.
Harlbert was not very popular with
his fellow miners for the reason that
he had for a partner a negro with
whom he ate and slept, fact which
greatly prejudiced him in the minds
of his fellow adventures.
While it does not appear that there
was any great rush to these diggings
several hundred men were engaged
for considerable time in working
the gravel along Prickly Pear creek,
they centering at the point where the
town of Montana City was built.
Evidently the miners of that To-
cality expected big things of this dis
trict, as townsite company was in
corporated and a townsite was laid
out within which many crude log and.l
frame structures were erected.
The years 1864 and 1865 seem to
have been the times of greatest pros |
perity at Montana City, and in The |
Montana Post, the pioneer newspaper |
Of the territory published at Virginia |
City, there appeared in the issue of |
October 1, 1854, a communication |
from Montana City under the date of |
September IS, 1864, as follows:
Montana City is new town, only
surveyed last week. 1t already con-
tains eight houses finished and Is
are being built, while 20 or 80 will
Concluded on Agricultural Page.)
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11

n TAPS of Montana show upon the
! M Butte line of the Great North
~ ern railway at a point about
seven miles southeast of Helena a
station by the rather imposing name
of Montana City. In spite of the
prominence thus given the station the
trains never stop there, there are no
depot or station buildings and the
only Indication the traveller sees of
stopping point is sign board bear
ing the name Montana City,"
Nothing in the immediate vicinity
of the sign post appears to the eye
of the traveller which would indicate
the proximity of a city, town or
even hamlet. Not a building is in
sight-not a stick of timber which
might suggest that it was once a part
of building-nothing but the sign
post, stretch of serrated ground
such as is common where placer dig
gings once existed, and the railroad
track following the course of Prickly
Pear creek into the mountains.
Yet Montana City was once town
of such promising Importance that
it served for short time as the first
county seat of Jefferson county.
1t was in 1862, before the discov-
cry of gold in Last Chance gulch !
which resulted in the building of the
city of Helena, that gold was first
where Montana City once /
stood but stands no more Histories
of Montana have very little to say
about Montana City for the reason
that gold was not found in any great
quantities and the deposits were
soon worked out, but from what lit
lie has been written of this opera
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11
FARMER AND WIFE PAY FIRST
VISIT TO CITY IN TEN YEARS

Mr.. and Mrs. C. Metzenberg, who
left Baker recently for the west, paid
their first visit to town in more than
10 years, when they reached Baker
they having stayed at the ranch on
the Box Elder steadily for that time.
Mr.. Metzenberg had not been in town
for over 10 years, while Mrs. Metzen-
berg had not seen a town, train,
movie or church in town during the
IA years since the family moved out
to the ranch.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11

Once upon a time, as all good
fairy stories go, the slogan, Cali
fornia or bust" was ON practical
ly every tongue and the westward
march to the land of sunshine and
| oranges has not ceased even today.
But former Montanans who have
habitated with the native sons are
about to retrace their steps and it
| Is estimated that from 1000 to
| 5000 of them will start on trek
| back to the Treasure state this
| summer.
The figures, estimates of the num-
Der that may move this summer, were
given out by E. H. Wilde, general
passenger agent of the Great Nor
thern railway, who was in Great
Falls from st. Paul. Mr.. Wilde stat
ed that the impending movement of
Montanans from California back
home has been largely due to Wig
orous campaigns sponsored by cham
berS of commerce, commercial clubs
and civic bodies in towns in this
state. While some Montanans are
only coming back during the vaca-
ton period, it is reported that many
are returning to again make their
homes here.
The advertising campaign that has
been conducted in leading magazines
of the country, exploiting the Pacific
northwest, by the Great Northern,
Burlington and Northern Pacific
railways, is having great influence
over the country, Mr.. Wilde stated,
and tourist travel from all over the
United States to this part of the
country is going to be very heavy this
summer.
Heavy Park Travel
1--WE expect that the travel to Gla-
cier park alone will increase rs per
cent or more this year." he stated.
1.-THE travel to Yellowstone park, and
in fact the movement generally to-
ward this part of the country is go
ing to be the heaviest we have had
in some years.
1--WE are going to meet this in
travel with improved train
service over the Great Northern.
Plans have not been worked out yet,
but believe details will include adj
iitional trains to accommodate the
tourists
The joint advertising campaign,
which has more than fulfilled the
of the three roads which
ire promoting it, will be carried on
Mr.. Wilde said
An indication of the heavy travel
his way was contained in a state
nent of Mr.. Wilde's that Alaskan
ships are already sold out for July
Ind August. Three more boats than
we're used in 1923 have already been
'ut into service and more may be
necessary.
Two Routes Planned
According to the scheme of a pro-
'osed excursion rate for the two
'arks, which will probably be put
nto effect some time in June, tour
SITS will have layover of nearly
hree hours in Great Falls. Plans
re already under way to devise some
means of entertaining them and ac-
uainting them with the city during
heir short stay.
Two routes are already mapped out
or the California and coast excur-
ion rates to the two parks, Mr..
Wide stated. One route will go
trough Ogden, Yellowstone park,
ody, Wyo., Great Falls, Glacier park
nd return by way of Portland. The
Their will extend from Ogden to.
lutte to Glacier park and return by
lay of Portland.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11

Toledo-Meyer Selzman, druggist,
has been arraigned on a manslaugh-
ter charge for sale of denatured alco-
hol, alleged to have caused the death
of several persons here.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-04-11
MANY TO RETURN
HERE FROM WEST
GREAT NORTHERN RAILWAY OF
FTCIAL SAYS FORMER MON
TANANS WILL COME BACk

Visitors to Yellowstone and Glacier
National Parks viii BE Greater
Than Ever This Year; Tourists to
Cross State on Way To Alaska.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
STONE STUDIES
PRECEDENTSIN
PARDON CASES
Attorney General Looks Into
Denial of Presidential
Power by the Court
ACTION is UNCERTAIN

Washington, May l6.-With Philip
Grossman held in Jail in Chicago
despite an extension of presidential
clemency, Department of Justice Of
ficials have begun study of legal
authority and precedent of Chica-
go court in overriding the Pres
ident action.
Attorney-General Stone feels that
the situation has developed involved
and technical legal points that re-
quire careful conside ration. For that
reason he has declined to express an
official opinion. Grossman, a form
er saloon keeper, was sentenced for
contempt of court and the sentence
was committed by President Cool
idge.
Some department officials hold
that the Presidents. authority is su-
preme in the exercise of clemency
but it is conceded that the preced-
ents are conflicting. The case of
Comptroller Craig of the city of New
York recently presented a question
similar to that involved in the hold
ing of Grossman and in that case
Attorney General Daugherty upheld
the Presidents right to act in con-
tempt cases.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
FOREST FIRE
EFFECT SEEN

The haze of smoke which hung
over North Dakota may have come
from forest fires in Southern Alberta
or in Idaho and Montana.
A radio message picked up by
S. w. Corwin at l p. M. from Win
nipeg said that forest fires were
rag ng in southern Alberta on the
mountain sides, that the fires had
got beyond control and were spread
ing over the prairies. The radio an
nouncer said that the forest rangers
had been so busy fighting fires that
they had not had time to make ex-
haustive reports on the extent OF
the fires, but that it was very dry
in the region and unless there was
rain it was doubtful if the fires
could be controlled.
There have also been forest fires
in Montana and Idaho.
Williston, jamestown and Fargo
today all reported smoke over those
cities today.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
EXCLUSION IS
FINALLY SENT
TO PRESIDENT
Both Houses Adopt Confer.
ence Report Despite Pro-
test of Coolidge
ACTION is UNCERTAIN
President May Sign Bill With
Note That He Disapproves
of Exclusion -

Washington, May lG.-(By the A.
P.)-The immigration bill was en-
route to the White House today, ac-
tion having yesterday been completed
by both chambers of Congress and
started through the routine Of pre-
liminaries for delivery to the Presi-
dent.
Carrying the provision excluding
Japanese and other Asiatics after
July l and abrogates the gentlemen s
agreement despite the desire of
President Coolidge to make this the
subject of negotiation with the To-
kio government, the conference re-
port was adopted by the House 800
to SO and by the Senate So to 8, a
majority of considerably more than
two-thirds in each chamber.
The President has reached no de-
cisiOn with reference to his action
on the bill and is expected to send it
to the state and labor departments
for study and recommendation before
taking his course. He is understc cd ,
however, to have under three pro-
bable courses in view: Signature
without comment, signature with a
statement expressing disapproval of
the exclusion clause, and return Of
the measure without signature but
with an expression of approval for
all provisions except the exclusion
section.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
F. A. WILLIAMS
ENTERS RACE
FOR CONGRESS
Principles He Will Advocate
Are Explained-F. w. Muir
ply Campaign Manager

General E. A. Williams has filed
petitions with the Secretary. of State
as a Republican candidate for NOM
ination for Congress from the Sec
ond District and he appeals direct
to the electors for their support
holding that the primary law abol-
ished the convention system, and
that all political conventions that
have been held to endorse candi-
dates for office are contrary to the
meaning and spirit of that law, and
ought to be ignored by the electors
of the state who believe in uphold
ing the laws of the state. Mr..
Williams says he stands squarely
upon the primary law for his nomi-
nation, having no alliance whatso-
ever with any candidate or candi-
dates. F. w. Murphy, chairman Of
Mr.. Williams campaign committee,
today made public the following
sketch of Mr.. Williams:
Five times member of the Terri
torial Legislature, five times men,
Der of the State House of Repre-
sentatives. Once speaker of the
Territorial House, once speaker Of
the State House of Representatives;
member of the Constitutional Con-
vention, President of the State Irri-
cation Association and United States
Surveyor General Of the State under
Presidents Harrison, Mckinley and
Roosevelt.
Continued on page 81
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
SUN YAT SEN
IS ALIVE AND
WELL, CLAIMED
Secretary Denies Report of
His Death to Correspondent
Sent to Headquarters
BUT NO INTERVIEW
Correspondent Refused Op.
portunity to See South
China Leader by Secretary

Hong Kong, May 16.-(B BY the A.
PD-Dr. Sun .Yat Sen, President of
the South China government. whose
death was reported to have occurred
Tuesday, is alive and perfectly we'll
his confidential secretary declared
today to representative of the AS
sociated Press sent from Hong Kong
to Suns Canton headquarters.
Reports have been current that the
reports of his death were untrue.
On being assured that the South
China leader was alive the CORE
spondent requested an interview.
"This was denied" the correspondent
cabled. "The secretary said Sun Yat
Sen did not feel called upon to prove
he was not dead in view of categori-
cal statements to the contrary which
had been issued at Suns headquar-
ters."
''Dr. Sum-" the Secretary added,
dis perfectly well after an indisposi-
ton that could not be termed an i'll
ness"
However, the opinion still prevails
in Hong Kong that if the constitu-
tional party chief is not dead, he at
least is suffering from a severe men
tai breakdown. 1t is said his condi-
tion has been such that none but
members of the family are permitted
to see him.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
BO0TLEGGER ON
STAND IN QUIZ
IN j. s. SENATE
George Remus Saws He Paid
Huge Sums to Friend of
Harry Daugherty
GOT PERMITS FROM HIM
Also Retained Special Assist
ant to AttOrnev-Generar'
He Testilies
GOT PERMITS FROM HIM

Washington, May l6.--A detail
StorN OF payments Of protection
money aggregating more than a
quarter of million dollars to Jess
W. Smith, friend and constant com
panion of former Attorney General
Daugherty, was told to the Senate
Daugherty committee by George
Remus Of Ohio, who said he made
fortune out of Illicit liquor sales
before he was convicted and sent
to the Atlanta pententiary.
Brought before the committee un-
der guard the witness related how he
bought string of distilleries in
Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana before
the Volstead act was passed, ar
ranged through 'gentleman's
agreement with Smith and was pro-
tected from prosecution for a year
and half while he accomplished
distribution of some 100000 to 800
600 of liquor under the pretense
Wallie Dirlam who is to be a bride
poses.
Remus could not recall lust how
much money he had paid Smith but
he estimated the total at about
$25O,O00 to 100000. He never asked
he declared, whether the money was
split with anyone else. The whisky
was dispensed ostensibly to various
drug stores but really reached the
public through bootleggers in sew.
eral middle-western states.
Fypp affar n ic .npu;,@;o, -. nl:
the witness said, Smith promised
him that he would never see the
penitentiary.
He said that the General-the at
torney-said their would be no nut
ting away of Remus and his men"
Remus told the committee.
The plan was if the case went to
the supreme. court, to secure a par
don and the witness insisted that
Smith had told him.
He also declared t.. .ames NJ
Linton, who he described as e spe.
cial assistant to the Attorney Gen.
eraI' helped to defend him and was
paid about $4,000. He added that
Linton refused, however, to "Ssk
favors or consideration" from the
Department of Justice.
To Smith, he said he also paia
from $3.50 to $3.50 per case for per
mlts allowing him to take whisky
from a string of distilleries he had
just before prohibition
went into effect. As to what Smith
did with the money and whether it
was split with others Remus said
he never inquired.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
BANDPR0GRAM
FOR MAY 80 IS
MADE PUBLIC
Matinee Concert in High
SchOOkAuditOrium - Night
Concert in City Auditorium

Owing to Memorial exercises at
the Auditorium, plans for the second
public concert of Bismarck's Juve-
nile Band have been revised. There
will be an evening concert at the
Auditorium, the evening of May 80,
but the matinee will be given at the
High School auditorium Immediately
following the Memorial exercises.
This matinee is for the children of
the city and there will be an ad-
mittance charge of fifteen cents.
Adults will be charged fifty cents
for each of the performances.
1t is hoped to put over these two
concerts big so as to solve the finan-
cial issue involved in support of the
band until fall. About $500 will be
necessary to carry the band through
until fall.
If feasible, it is planned to give
free open air concerts alternating
between the Court House lawn and
Custer Park during the summer.
Members of the band are to pro-
vide their own uniforms which will
be simple in character. The girls
are to be garbed in white middies
and dark skirts and the boys in
white blouses and dark trousers.
If the public response is gener-
Gus, appropriate caps will be pur-
chased so that the band can be COM
pletely uniformed. L. C. Sorlien,
leader of the band, is holding three
rehearsals week: Patriotic airs
will be played to suit the occasion
of Memorial Day but hours have
been arranged SO as not to conflict
with the American Legion exercises.
The afternoon concert will be Civ
en- at a p. m. and the evening con-
cert will start promptly at p. m.
1t is planned to hold both concerts
down to an hour and fifteen min
utes. =,
Good progress is being made by
the forty members of the band which
to date has been financed without
any drives or public appeal for
funds. The band committee of the
Association of Commerce under
whose auspices the band functions
is especially anxious that the re-
sponse will be good so that this ex-
cellent educational enterprise in CO.
operation with the public schools can
be maintained at high standard
of efficiency.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
IN
ESCAPE,S00N
RECAPTURED
c. H. Walker, Convict, Al
Liberty Two Hours But it
Proves Costly For Him

Two hours of liberty late yesterday
proved costly to c. H. Walker, serv-
ing a term of seven years in the state
prison from Hillsboro for the theft
of Ex-Governor Sales automobile.
Walker escaped from an automo-
bile at the east end of Main street
and was at liberty for two hours,
or until about 6 p. M. when he was
captured. Warden Lee for punish
ment took away year and eighteen
days of "good time" Walker had earn
ed in the prison and gave him 40
days in dark cell.
Walker had been brought to town
by Chief Keeper Gunder Osjord to
have some glasses fitted. They were
returning to the prison. Walker
jumped from the automobile at the
east end of Main street and disap-
peared before Osjord could stop. Os-
jord got Secretary Jones at the pri-
son and put bloodhounds on Walkers
trail. The bloodhounds trailed him
to barn on the south side, where
Walker was found covereV with hay.
He was returned to the prison.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-05-16
BILL SUNDAY
) NOT so WELL
Arrives in Rochester, MINI.
After a Long Trip

Rochester. Mimi, May 16.-Rev.
William (Billy) Sunday, famous
evangelist and former big league
baseball player, who arrived here
yesterday morning to undergo treat
ment for a kidney ailment, was not
feeling so we'll late last night al
though his temperature remained
normal, according to a statement is
sued by Dr.. R. L. Sanders, his per-
sonal physician, today.
Mr.. Sunday had a fairly good
day yesterday said DR.. Sanders.
"The examination was started and
in the evening he was not so we'll,
being tired from the trip, although
his temperature was normal. He
had q headache and was uncomfort-
able as result of the examination.
He was not feeling so we'll in the
evening as he had been. At 10 p.
m. he went to Sleep"