davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
PLEADS INNOCENCE IN DYING STATEMENT

Lincoln, Nebr., Aug. 11.-Walter
Ray Simmons, former Montana cow
boy and deputy sheriff, was electro
cuted at the state prison here Tues
day for the Staying of Frank PAIL,
Spencer, Nebr. garage man.
The current which ended Simmons
life was sent into his body at 7:O5
a, m. and was TUNED off at 7:10 a. m.
The doctors pronounced Simmons
dead shortly after.
Simmons left a last letter with his
sister, Mrs. Emily Bateman Of Pom
pey's Pillar, Montana, addressed to
his son, Walter Ray Simmons, Jr,
saying he was leaving $500 in cur
rency to be used fer his sons educa-
ton.
Simmons was up the regular time
and had a breakfast of pineapple,
oranges, coffee, bacon, toast, eggs and
potatoes.
At 6 a. m. the death warrant was
read te the condemned man by War
den Fenton of the prison.
+ Issues Statement
A final statement was made by Sim
mons to his attorney for the public
: 1t 1olloWS:
"There is but a few moments left
= that there is a hereafter, and that i
I were leaving the world with lie OF
my tongue, I wouldn't have the chanc,
have If l tell the truth; and realizing
7 that as l do, and believing that t,
be true, the only thing l can say /
2 that / am innocent
"I am dying without any prelude
s against anyone-al is forgiven by m
and ask forgiveness III place cal
: as much as possible
n A few minutes before the execute
t the former cowboy called reporters
his cell and thanked them for tn
courtesy he was shown. When aske
how he felt, Simmons replied:
:. "All right, | go without cracking
Simmons maintained his outwa1
calm to the last and sat with the u
most composure as he was bein
strapped into the death chair.
In marked contrast to the long figl
/ of Simmons and his attorneys for lif
a the execution was brief. Doctors pr
,o nounced the slayer dead at 1912 a. +
II Simmons requested last night that
II be buried in Omaha. The body wi
r be taken there today.
+ The death in the electric chair
p Walter Ray Simmons ended an advel
I. turous career and one of the mo
le bitterly fought criminal cases in N
y braska court records.
! Frank PAIL, Spencer, Neb., garal
4 = man, was found beaten to death
- Boyd county, in northeastern N
u braska, May Is, 1922.
y In his 27 years Simmons was cc1
a = boy, baseball player, deputy sheri
"a q and finally alleged bootlegger. Nc
Continued on Page Four)
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
INSPECTORS AT SPO-
KANE STOCKYARDS

Beginning September /, the State
of Montana will have a brand inspec-
tor statione dat the Spokane Stock
yards, where there has been a heavy
movement Of cattle to in<recent years.
The announcement is contained in
letter sent by the livestock commits
sion to all stock inspectors within the
state. The letter follows:
HELENA
August Z, 1925.
TO STOCK INSPECTORS:
On September first the State of
Montana will have a regular brand
inspector at the Spokane Union Stock
Yards in Spokane, Washington.
Therefore, on and after September
first all cattle shipments destined to
Spokane or through Spokane to be
fed at the Spokane Union Stock
Yards, will be permitted to leave
Montana without brand inspection at
loading.
Will you kindly take particular no.
tice of this and make no brand in
spections of cattle billed as stated
above. When you receive a call from
out of town fer an inspection, kindly
ascertain to what point the shipment
! is destined before answering as We
are in no position to pay the expens'
cf travelling where no inspection i
made.
The railroad officials have been no
titled of this change and have beel
requested to Immediately instruc
their agents of it.
Yours very truly,
E. A. PHILLIPS,
SecrntarS
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
light Plant to Close
In Town of CuIbertson

With he hi-power line to be in
stalled by the Northeastern Montana
Utilities Company from Fairview to
Wolf Point, covering all towns but
one, the electric plant which has been
operated for many years by Albert
Donaldson at Culbertson, will be per-
manently closed. The plant in Pop
lar will be operated as in the past.
In fact Supt. Cleaveland believes the
Poplar plant will be enlarged if any
thing.
In speaking of the change at Brock
ton Mr.. Cleaveland also announced
that Brockton would be electrified
Mr.. Cleaveland was very favorably
impressed with the Brockton situa-
ton and said he expected to see z
large list of consumers in that towr
when the line is installed.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

county 5 QuOld 10 the state rune
The personnel of the various CONS
mittees are as follows: Member OF
the State Executive Committee from
Sheridan County, Jack Bennett; Ccun-
ty Chairman, Carl Bull; PlentywoOd
committee: Judge Paul, E. H. E. Hell
geson and County Supt. of Schools
Emma Crone; Outlook, Robert Kahle;
Dooley, N. P. Loucks; Westby, Henry
Reuter-; Homestead, Mrs. R. G. Tyler;
Medicine Lake, Mark Olson; Reserve,
Jack Gibbons; Antelope, E. Sorvick;
Plentywood, E. H. E. Helgeson; Red
stone, Jean Albers.
This fund will be handled directly
by the State Board of Examiners
composed of Governor J. E. Erickson,
Secretary of State Charles 7. Stew
art, and Attorney-G General L. A. Foot
Governor Appeals for Contributions
to Repair Schools
The governors proclamation, call
ing for contributions from citizens of
the state to repair the damage done
to Gallatin county schools by the
earthquake, follows
Whereas, By reason of earthquake
shocks that visited certain areas of
Montana on the twenty-seventh day
of June, last, heavy damage was done
to public school buildings in the towns
of Three Forks, Logan and Manhat-
tan, in Gallatin county: and
Whereas, the scnooI districts affect
ed are bonded to the legal limit of
indebtedness, making it impossible fol
the district to finance repairs or new
construction through the medium OF
a bond issue; and
Whereas, in the unfortunate plight
in which the districts find themselves
it will be impossible for the schools
to open for the next term unless fin
ancial assistance from outside source
is received; and
Whereas, representatives Of citizen
of the communities affected have an
fContinsan.S---
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
FIVE NEW TOWNS
GROW ON BRANCH
LINE EXTENSION

Scobev, Aug. 12.-Three more COP
tractors have unleaded horses, dump
wagons, graders, plows, tractor and
stationary engines here this week for
work on the extension Of the Balm
ville-Sccbey branch of the Great
Northern railroad. Camps for the
grading crews are being established
on each contractors section.
The first grading crew, which ar
rived and went to work 10 days ago,
has nearly mile of new roadbed COM
pleted to the west. Farmers and busi-
ness men arriving here from Opheim
and Glentana express satisfaction at
progress being made with grading. It
is expected the road will be completed
to Opheim next summer in time tc
permit the building and equipping OF
elevators for handling grains at al
the stations and towns on the new
branch. Ranging west from Scobey
new towns will be named as follows
Four Buttes, Peerless, West Fork
Glentana and Opheim.
Born, to Mr.. and Mrs. ngwal'
Espelund of Westhy, a fine baby DO.
at the Sheridan Memorial hospital o.
Friday of last week.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
FEDERAL GOVT.
TRYING TO COLLECT
SEED LOANS in MONT

> 1t is expected that Montana
= farmers will be able to make
+" substantial payments of seed
loans advanced by the federal
: government, according to L. p.
> White, administrative officer in
charge of collections for the U.
: S. Department of Agriculture,
was was in Helena recently.
> Of the loans tOtaling $1,O44,.
S578.0O made in 1921, in Mon
tana $642,814.25, or 61.5 had
been paid in to June 80, 1925.
In 1922 loans of S755, 1929 were
made in the state of which $514,-
O49.75 or 6S.2 per cent had been
paid up to June 80, 1925.
The loan Indebtedness was ma
: terialIy reduced last year, and
there is reason to believe that
further reductions will be made
this year, Mr.. White stated.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
GARNER
And BLIVENS TO MIX
AT OUTLOOK AUG. 29

Word has just ben received at
this Office that Bill Gamer, well
known Outlook boxer, will meet
Perry Blivens, of ScObey. Satur-
day evening, August 29th at Out
look.
Both boxers are well known to
the fans of Sheridan county and a
great battle is sure to result
when these two fighters come to-
gether.
BIivens is probably the clever
est boxer that the Sheridan cOun-
boxing enthusiasts have seen in
action in these parts. Just Nv
he will stand up against the
aggressive Outlook boy is a ques-
tiOn which will be answered when
they meet.
A large crowd will no doubt
> take In the battle at Outlook on
. the 29th, as both fighters have a
> host of hackers.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

The case is against R. T. Lee,
who runs the Welliver Hall, and the
charge is that he has run Sunday
dances in violation of law. The COM
planning witness is Rev. +. II: Ross,
who lives close to .Welliver Hall. The
case will be prosecuted by County
Attorney Erickson and Attorney 7.
w. Greer will appear for the defend
ants. A jury is summoned and it is
expected a large audience will be on
hand when the Judge calls the case.
While this action is taken in Sheri-
dan County the matter has also been
taken nm in Butte as is evidenced by
the following special dispatch to the
Producers News from the copper me-
tropolis:
BUTTE CITY HALLS ORDERED
CLOSED
Enforcement of the law prohibiting
the holding of public dances on Sun
dav NIGHTS has been ordered by Coun-
tv Attorney Tim Downey following
reception of a letter from Attorney
General L. A. Foot advising him that
complaints have been received by his
Office regarding infractions of this
law in Butte. The inhibition against
dancing on Sunday nights applies to
halls within the city Of Butte anc
Sthrcughout the county except such
halls as are located on grounds des-
ignated as public parks or play
Continued on page 4)
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
CROUCH AND TRUMBULL
SENT TO CHICAGO

Chicago. - Reports from Hawaii
state that Paul Crouch and Walter
Trumbull, army privates court-mar-
tailed for being communists, leave un-
der guard for the main land on the
transport Cambria, sailing August 8.
It has been previously announced by
the authorities that their place of con-
fnement in the States would be Alca-
traz Island, in San Francisco Bay.
The original sentences imposed on
the two soldiers were 40 and 26 years
but following world wide protests
were later reduced to 8 and 1 year
respectively for Crouch and Trum-
lbu1f. Action in the Federal courts in
Honolulu taken by attorneys financed
by International Labor Defense failed
to effect their release. Appeals will
probably be taken in the California
! Federal courts.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
A CORRECTION

Due to a Typographical error in the
assessment list printed in last weeks
Producers News, some figures in the
amount turned in by County Surveyor
Rasmussen were given as $4,000,
when they should have been printed
S115O.OO. The error was on US and
we hasten to correct it.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
JUDGE BOURQUIN
FINES S. c. FORD
FOR CONTEMPT
Former Attorney General Charged
With Altering Records of Court in
Campbell Trial, Takes Appeal


S. C. Ford, Helena attorney and
counsel for Gordon Campbell and Sen
ator Wheeler, was found guilty of
contempt of court and fined $500 by
Judge George M. Bcurquin in Federal
court this week. Ford was attorney
for Campbell in cases filed in Federal
court in which Campbell was accused
of using the mails fraudulently in pro-
noting cil companies.
In passing down his opinion, Judge
Bourquin scathingly rebuked the at
torney. He declared FOrd's acts saw
ored of some variety of mental ire
sponsibility, a split personality, some
physic infrTnty, somnambulism, or
other unconscicusness, amnesia or the
like, with subsequent recovery.
Admits Acts
John L. Slattery, United States Dis
trict Attorney, said:
"The contempt charge was filet
against S. G. Ford pursuant to an or
der Of the court directing the United
States district attorney to file it. Mr.
Ford admitted doing all of the act:
complained of but contended that M
had not intended to misIead or deceive
the court"
The case was tried on August 8
and the opinion by Judge George M
Bourouin was handed down IN opel
court this week.
Mr.. Ford has appealed the case t
the Federal Court Of Appeals at Sal
Francisco.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
SUIT CAUSES SCARE IN RANKS OF BANKERS
Fear Widespread Demand for Dismissal of Receivers Who
Were Cashiers in Closed Banks, and Appointment of
New Ones VIII Uncover Much Criminal Irregularities.

CONSERVATION thrown in the ranks of bankers thru
out the state this week by the institution of action by the
receiver of the First National Bank of Sidney against the d
of that defunc institution for $50 000 The
thrown the Federal Court and feared by bankers that
the suit is successful will be followed by many of
like nature and possibly by criminal proceedings
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

COVERED UP
THEIR CRIMINALITY
This suit has caused much agita-
tion amongst the money changers be-
cause a widespread demand has
sprung up throughout the state for
the dismissal of Receivers who were
in any way connected with banks be-
fore they closed and the substitution
of men who would hold the scales of
justice evenly between the depositOrs
who lost money and those who got it.
1t is contended by those who ask
for a change of Receivers that many
of the present receivers were form
erly cashiers of the banks they clos
ed and that their position gives them
a chance to cover up and destroy evil
dences of their criminality. 1t is
further contended that with the ap-
pointment of new men many of the
bank wreckers now at large would be
Brought to justice and in that way {
check would be put on further opera
ton of this class of criminals within
the state.
I Il SEDNET
BANK SUIT
l The facts in the Sidney bank sui
are briefly as follows:
w. E. Birmingham, receiver of tn
! First National Bank of Sidney, Fri
day filed an equity suit in the fedora
court against dierctcrs and officers o
d the bank asking the court to deter
: mine their liability and enter jud&,
3 ment on loans totaling $4,000, whicl
the receiver alleges were made con
}. Continued on Page FoUr)
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
FOR QUAKE VICTIMS
WILL BE- RAISED HERE
County Committee Appointed to make drive to Raise She
dan County's Quota, Which Is $18OO-Gov. Erickson Is
sues Appeal-Funds to Be Used to Rebuild Schools in
Quake Racked Area.

Following the expression of Governor Erickson in appeal
ing the people of the rally the aid of the people of
Gaatn county in reconucng schoohouses of that section
damaged by the earthquake H. body of citizens of
of action having for its object the raising of Sheridan
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
RECEIVER FILES SUIT in
U. S. DISTRICT COURT

Complaint Charges Officers and Directors of Bank With Jug
Cling $50 900 for Their Own Use and Beneht-Aleges
Loans Were Made in Violation of Section $500 of Re-
ised Statutes of u. S.-Afars Grossly Mismanaged'
and "Careessly Conducted"
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

Anna E4Ovet Named Princess of Sheridan

Popular Young Lady Forges the Front During the Last
Days of Campaign, Passing Miss Everson Who Was
Ahead Until Few Days Before the Final Count
Gladys Kelly, Lillian Gunderson and Lillian Everson
Come Second, Third and Fourth in the Order Named
and Receive Golden Prizes from the Producers News
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
BUTTE DANCE HALLS CLOSED ON SUNDAY

case that has attracted lot of attention in church and
reform circles well amongst Aappers and sheks who at
tend dances this neck of the woods coming up for trial
before Ludge Olsen this rday) afternoon at Zoo o'clock
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
MISS HOVET TO LEAVE FOR The STATE FAIR

The coveted dadem of Princess of Sheridan County was
placed the brow of Miss Anna Hovet when she de-
cared winner of the Princess Contest after midnight last Sat
urday night.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
COUNTY SUPT. OF SCHOOLS
LEAVES FOR THE EAST

Miss Emma Crone, County Super
intendent of Schools, left Plentywood
Thursday evening for a trip east.
She intends to visit her relatives in
Iowa while or. her vacation, She will
make the first stop at Minneapolis,
where she intends visiting several
Plentywood people who are interest
ed in the Radium Remedis Companies.
From there she will proceed to Iowa
where she will spend most of her two
weeks vacation. While Miss Crone
is in the east, the active duties of
the County superintendent office
will be attended to by Miss Linda
Hall.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

The votes were canvassed by the
judges, in front of a gcOdly sized
crowd at Millers Drug Store, when
the clock struck 1900 Saturday night.
AS an evidence of the interest taken
in the contest, groups stood discuss
ing things into the 'wee sma" hours
of Sunday until the first faint flush of
dawn began to creep across the kindly
summer sky.
ATTRACTED
WIDE INTEREST
The contest attracted wide atten-
ton throughout the county and there
was a feeling of uncertainty as to
who would be the winner up to the
/ last moment. All but four of the
contestants withdrew early in the
contest leaving the race to Miss Anna
/ Hovet, Miss Gladys Kelly, Miss Lii
/ lian Gunderson and Miss Lillian Ever
son. These young ladies hotly, but
good naturedly, fought every inch of
the ground with each other, Sc much
so that there was considerable doubt
as to who would be the winner up to
the last moment,
All cf the young ladies held back
votes to the last day and used every
fair maneuver known to the feminine
mind to spring a last minute coup on
the others. For days Lillian Eveson
of Reserve led the others and it was
only during the last days of the con
test that the friends Of Anna Hovet
made a las gigantic drive that put
her far ahead Of all the rest.
1 PRIZES
lGTWEN
The Producers News considered that
the other candidates did such goGd
work and showed such splendid spir-
it before and after the contest that
it rewarded the candidates who came
second, third and forth with COLDER
prizes in the following order: Mis-;
; Gladys Kelly $50 in gold, Miss Lilliar
= Gunderson $50, and Miss Lillian Ever
son $40.
+ JUDGES
! DECISION -
i The decision handed down by tht
Continued on last page)
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
Is Sunday Dancing WegdZ9

Case Comes Up Today rday) Before Judge Olsen in Which
Clergyman Charges WeIIiver Hall Has Been Operated
on Sunday in Violation of Law-ChurCh People, Reform
ers Sheks, Flappers and Others Interested in Trial.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
COMMISSIONERS ORDER
LIBRARY DISCONTINUED
Librarian Notified That Intuition VIII Be Closed After No
vember 1Oth-Books VIII Be Distributed Among Vari-
Gus School Districts.

Monday the advisablty of continuing the County Free Ii
brary discussed and decided that saving could
be effected by discontinung the same.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
Montana Cowboy Is Finally
EIeCtrOCuted In Nebraska

Simmons, Who Was Granted Many Repreves, Has His Life
Ended in the Electric Char-Convicted of Killing Frank
Pahl, Spencer, Neb., Garage Man-Parents of Simmons
Live at Balantne Mont.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
tn The
LIMELIGHI

AND PERTINENT
F5B-5itcPAPHS PERTAINING
y -TuTNGS AND EVENTS
- GREAT AND SMALL
I CONCERN.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14
BY P. ]. Wallace
crop GRABBERs

CROP GRAbbERo
an SETBACK
he exposure Of the stratege5ms re
~ to by the agents OF the aD-
zs loan sharks 10 grab the mar
dis column last week, had the
- II putting the slickers on the
s-.i~a Their drive for the crop
.5-us9 down. In some cases
-srs rsported to us that the agents
d - shvIocks We're seen circling
.-f the farm homes like coyotes
Hat they did not dare come with
s sFotrun range. We do not, how
ever regard as final their sudden
---rrare If interference with the har-
--.5rr Of the crop. They have mere
Il executed a strategic retirement to
IS rear for the purpose of planning
s.~s other way to separate the pro
5-csr from his grain and cash.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

Mrs. Otto Donaldson entertained
Monday evening at six o'clock din
ner party. The guests were Mrs. Myr-
tie Donaldson and children, Roy Park
hurst, Gladys Dodge and Mr.. and Mrs.
AL Hanson.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

Earl Richwine - medicine Lake
mas ~ al-.-sssed TO the hospital Sunday
we're ne is receiving treatments for
a fractured limb.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1925-08-14

Dorothy Clark from Antelope had
her tonsils removed at the hospital
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-22
JOHN WoRTHlNGToN GAe Ayyer
arriving at prison ROBERT L.COHAN

intervals the chase would stop: Then
it would be resumed again, following
new depreciation. "The Wolfa'
tongue was oily and his manner glib,
They say he talked "suckers' out
of millions in fake stock deals.
One day he turned his hand at a
game which involved misuse of the
mails. That finished him. He was
captured, convicted. and sentenced to
federal prison.
But the wolf strain in Worthing-
ton, which 50 long had urged him to
freedom, still would not abide prl-
son term.
He appealed. keeping outside cell
to the very last. When his appeal
was lost in the highest court of the
| land he played the fox and became
| ill.,
Stays of execution kept him on his
supposed deathbed out in Los Ange'
les. Officers waited for his recovery
to start him to a federal penitentiary
But "The Wolf" had other plans.
| Five months ago he disappeared
across the Mexican border. THE
Wolf must have laughed heartily
at his getaway. The federal author
tiles could do nothing to bring hin
back, because of treaty reservations
Alice stayed behind. She hat
abandoned her career as movie ac
tress to manage her fathers affairs
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1925-10-22
Me dauaHzey>
ALICE WORTHINGTON

A million and u half dollars, 1t was
reputed, was the hoard THE wolf
had saved.
Then the ether day, incNnlicably
"The Wolf" came back to Chicago tc
face the music. He went to the Of
flee OF his lawyer. Robert l.. Conan
"HE IS INNOCENT, AND l SH ALL
FIGHT THE WORLD FOR HIM..
Another stay of execution was
sought for Worthington. He still
was dying, the courts were told: Bu'
this time, "The VOLTS plea fell OF
deaf ears.
A few days later he was being
helped from a train at the fedora
penitentiary in Atlanta.
Alice remains behind with cop!
of her fathers will. which he drew
amid much publicity just before the
prison trips start. 1t disposes OF
purported estate Of $2,5O0,O0o, rep
rescntng the spoils of lifetime II
"The VOLTS" rise from southern
grocery clerk to masters degree II
crooked finance.
"The world may call him wolf, bu
I shall always call him Dad-and low
him." SAYS Alice. "He is innocent o
any crime. and | shall fight the worl'
for him. since he no longer can ign
| for himself
~ don't care what the world think
, or saws about it, either!'