The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1928-10-26
SHERIDAN COUNTY GANG GETS
BY Once MORE, CLEWS FAIL

The sensational Sheridan coun-
ty robbing or looting case, in
which the county treasury, at
Plentywood, was relieved of a
swollen condition by the myster-
ious loss of over 100000 dollars,
in cash and bonds, came to trial at
last in federal court at Great Falls
this week, Judge G. N. Pray pre-
siding. The alleged robbery oc-
Cured November 80, 1926, about
six o'clock in the evening, while
Treasurer Torstenson and his de-
putty were still in their office.
Deep mystery surrounded the dar-
ing daylight drama for time. No
one but the two people in the
treasurer's office saw the robbers,
either before or after the alleged
No trace of them was
found Then part of the mystery
faded and ugly rumors circulated
The names of county officials and
men were used. Just
before the robbery The county
funds had been insured for $780,
000 The county filed a claim
against the surety company but
he company refused to pay, claim
ing there had been no robbery,
from the outside. They did not
know the community they were
lealing with They are wiser now.
Sheridan county sued. The jury
brought in verdict for the coun-
y. The surety company's attor-
leys say they will carry the case +.
o higher courts. In the mean
ime Sheridan county taxpayers
re out a hundred thousand dol
ars, and then some.
(Great Falls Tribune, Oct. 25)
After deliberation of an hour
nd quarter a federal court jury
Wednesday night awarded Sheri-
an county S101, ,S65.40 in its suit
gainst the National Surety COM
any of New York for indemnity
laimed as the result of loss of
nat amount in money and secur-
les in a robbery of the county
'easurer's office at Plentywood
ov 80, 1926.
The verdict of the jury in part
cad: "We find our verdict for the
Iaintiffs and against the defen-
ant upon all of the issues and as
,ss the plaintiffs damages in the
I'm of $1O1,S65.40 with interest l
lereon at the rate of s per cent
IT annum from Jan. 5, 1927, to |
ct. "a, 1928"
The attorneys for the defendant
i'll file a bill of exceptions with
the next 40 days preparing the i
ay for an appeal of the case to S
e appellate court in San Francis L
The question of whether the Ma V
,nal Surety company shall in p
mnify Sheridan county for $780, n
0 of the cash and securities al IL
yed to have been lost in rob g
ry of the treasurer's office Nov. T
1926, was placed in the hands ID
a federal court jury here at $3.50 u
m. Tuesday. III
Arguments by the counsel for al
3 plaintiff and for the defendant,
itch closed six days of examin- II
on of witnesses, occupied near M
the entire day Tuesday. Mo- =
ms made by the defendant for a E.
ected verdict against Sheridan
lnty or a directed verdict gainst
q Torstenson, county treasurer,
re overruled at the opening of D,
, court hi
leading off with the arguments M
the plaintiff, Attorney Paul th
bcock declared to the jury co
It the evidence had established III
,of of the robbery He pointed W;
that the National Surety pol ile
IS were in effect and that the Ju
nev and securities said to have an
N stolen were protected by the IN
icies. He took up the right of
treasurer to have the sum of
ney in the office vaults which
) reported stolen and contend tel
that Torstenson was within the &c
on this point. w
he argument of the defendant De
me
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