davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

nearby hills a lookout could watch
for the coach as it swung around the
point of the rimrock near Billings
and came up Alkali creek.
Bullion From Mines
During the early days OF the Bill
l~ings-Benton line there was often con-
siderable temptation for enterpriSing
road agents to hold up the stage. Al
times, a considerable amount of bul-
lion from the mines at Maiden was
brought over the road. Money for The
soldiers at Fort Maginnis vas also
transported over the same route. Strong
guards usually accompanied such ship
ments but there was always some valu-
ables TO make a holdup worth while.
Sometimes, too, a holdup was enacted
on information and belief" which
did not turn out to be authentic.
One of the first robberies was at
Holdup Cut, also known as Fifteen
Mile Point, from its distance from
Billings. AS the driver with a few
passengers came around the bend at
the point, a man with a handkerchief
tied about his face and wearing a
slicker, stepped out from behind a rock,
The road skirted along this rock and
then turned across a small creek, sc
that there was nc chance to turn the
coach about.
The man held up his hand AND
brought the horses to a stop and then
casually demanded of the man, Give
a match" AS the relieved driver
started to comply, he found himself
covered with a revolver while the mar
commanded. You, might as well
throw off the mail bags while you are
at 1t, because 1 want them. too" The
driver complied, and without molesting
the passengers, the bandit rode off with
his booty.
A Good Joke
When the stage coach rolled up e
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
AIRWAY LIGHTS
TO BE PLACED
WORK ON GREAT FALLS SALT
LAKE ROUTE ANNOUNCED
TO START JUNE l
n Revolving Beacons and IL Inter-
mediate Landing Fields Will BE Con-
structed According to Government
Agent Who Is Arranging Work.

Construction of an airway lighting
system between Great Falls and Salt
Lake City, at a cost of many thou
sands of dollars, will begin about
June l, it is formally announced by
A. j. LaBaie, airway engineer in
charge of airway construction work
for the United States department of
commerce, who was recently in Butte
to complete final negotiations.
According to preliminary surveys
made by the government, 81 revolving
beacons and IL intermediate landing
fields will be installed between Salt
Lake City and Great Falls. Beacons
will be constructed about 10 miles
apart to afford night flyers, especially
night air mail pilots, a continuous
string of guides. In addition to the
equipment listed above, four acetylene
blink lights will also be installed.
The new beacon airWay will be par
of the proposed Pocatello-G Great Falls
section. Cost of construction will bt
borne exclusively by the government
The government plans to furnish al
towers, measuring between 81 and 8
feet in height, beacons, Astronomical
clocks, switch cabinets and enginee,
generators, and will advertise for Ia
Dor, construction, various materials ant
transportation. Equipment to be use(
will be standard.
Although Mr.. LaBaie could not maxi
an estimate of cost of the proposed sys
tenn, he stated the usual cost of install
ing a lighted airline was approximate,
1920 per mile.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

gaining session of the mail bags,
rode Of The robbers information,
howeVci ad been at fauls. The coveC-
ed Z 4nent was not On board.
Suspected BY Woman
Some Hteks later the woman went to
the shtl.. at LewistoWn. THE man
who rob3aa the stage at Lavina is in
town. / nave seen him." she declared.
Some dst4nce down the street the
woman pointed out :. aell-dressed man
with deco dark eyes. That's the
man would know him anywhere by
his eye, she asserted.
The taet that the man was in a
position 70 know of the consignment,
althouga Inc :ime of its dispatch was
changed ~ the last minute, gave color
to the Woman's assertion. A post
office inspector was called in, other evil
dence seemed also to point to the Sus-
pected llan, and he Vas finally ar
rested ana given a hearing before a
United States commissioner. Judge j.
r. Goss Of Billings acted as prosecutor
for the United States.
The woman was the star witness.
She was q woman of evident culture
and refinement and the earnestness and
sincerity Of her statements left no
doubt that she fully believed that the
man under accusation vas the robber.
She said that from where she was Sit
ting she could look down into the eyes
OF the holdup man Turning, she hap
pened to look directly at the prisoner.
Throwing up her hand as if to shut
out an unpleasant vision, she exclaimed
in horror-strlcken tones, MY God,
those eyes!'
She was questioned infinitely by the
defense. How was it possible, she was
asked, for her to identify a masked
man. II would know those eyes any
where IN the world" she exclaimed
with deep feeling. The defendants at
torney took a handkerchief and showed
hOWed etfectually a mask covered up
the identity. But the woman's dra-
matte action brought conviction to the
hearers, at least, for the eyes Of the
accused mar we're unusually large, dark
and bold.
Proves An Alibi
Other evidence which the postoffice
inspector had gathered was presented
and the prosecution rested. The de-
tense produced alibi witnesses to show
that the man was at Billings at the
time that the stage from Lavina ar
rived at that place. The prosecution,
however, claimed that he could have
ridden into Billings from the scene of
the holdup before the stage from the
other direction arrived. A number of
witnesses testified to the mans char
acter and good standing in the COM
munity.
After hearing the evidence. the COM
missioner ave it as his opinion that
the woman could not have positively
recognized the robber under the cir
cumstances and the prisoner was Or
dered discharged.
Another outbreak of robberies oc-
CURED at a somewhat later date. Ac-
cording to local tradition, for more
than a week, the stage was held up
first at one end of the line and then at
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

the other. Every time the stage came
in, the driver told about being held up.
Then the sheriff and his deputies
rushed out TO the scene of the hoidup,
but they were soon back in town with
out having found a trace OF the bandit.
People stopped riding on the coach,
nothing of value was sent in the mail
and the determined robber made little
from his efforts. Finally, the whole
affair got to be quite a joke III the city.
According to II. B. Drum, register
of the Billings land office, then in the
cattle business on the Musselshell, these
robberies were committed by a young
cowboy who was working near Lavina.
One morning he told his companions
that he was tired OF a humdrum life;
that holding up stages was an attrac-
tive career and that he was going out
to make a stake.
After he finally concluded that rob-
bing the Lavina stage was no longer
profitable, the young outlaw showed up
IN some robbery exploits in Fergus
county and a short time afterward was
killed while assisting in a holdup in
the western part OF the state.
There are records Of several other
stage holdupS IN the vicinity OF Bill
lings on other stage routes. One Of
the earliest issues OF the Coulson Post
tells of the exploit of several outlaws
who rode up behind a coach of the old
Salisbury and Gilmore line and pos
Sessed themselves of a trunk contain
ing several hundred dollars worth Of
valuables. The trunk was strapped on
the boot behind and the driver was not
aware of its loss until he reached the
next station.
Another robbery was in 1887 near the
Halfway station, on the route be-
tween Billings and Buffalo, Wyo., near
where Hardin nov stands. Three men,
well armed, held up the stage, broke
open the treasure box and robbed Mr..
Sledman, the route agent, who vas
the only passenger. Three men camp
ing on the reservation were arrested.
Evidence Not Conclusive
At a hearing in Billings, evidence
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

The Isle of Man is reducing its in
come tax.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
BUTTE MAN HAD
UNIQUE RECORD
w. j. BOAST FIRST PERSON AD-
MITTED TO CITIZENSHIP AFT
Err MONTANA BECAME STATE
Was on Hand to Get Papers Last Day
of Territory, But Court Adjourned
Prematurely on Receipt of News of
Statehood; In Spanish American War

Burial i'm Butte of William J. Boast,
65, marked the passing of the first
man to obtain citizenship papers in
Montana after the territory was ad-
mitted to the union as a state. He
died at a Butte hospital from a gun
shot wound believed by relatives to
have been accidentally fired by him
self. Tenants of the G. o. ID. hotel
were attracted to Boasts room by a
shot and found him slumped over in
his chair. His son, William, said he
was accustomed to cleaning his gun
frequently. He was wounded in the
head.
w. j. Bill" Boast was born at Nor
wich, Norfolk county, England, Dec. 9,
1864, and came to Butte in 1884. He
had lived there since, being employed
at various times in mines, as a grocer,
and by a paper company.
Nov. 8, 1889, Mr.. Boast appeared in
court to receive his final certificate
of naturalization. just as Stephen De
Wolfe, the presiding judge, was about
to take up his petition for citizenship
word arrived that the territory had
been admitted as q state and court
was adjourned in honor of the event
until Nov. 8. On that morning Boast
who made it a point to be on hanc
early for the last step in procedure
leading to citizenship, was granted
naturalization papers and he was the
first to be granted citizenship under
the new state.
When the Spanish-American wa
broke out Boast was among the first
TO enlist at Butte. He joined the vol
unteer company April %, 1893, anC
was with the First Montana infantry
that went to the Philippine islands
under Col. Harry G.. KeSsler. April 4
1899, while fighting on Bagbag rive,
on the island OF Luzon. he was shot il
the left knee by a spent bullet. Ma,
"a, Queens day the bullet was ex
tracted and Boast wore it as a watcl
charm.
A few days before he was wounded
Boast had the honor Of raising tn
first American flag oyer Malolos, TIL
rebel capital. The flag was original,
given to Corp. Louis F. Hoffman, VIII
was in charge of the Centerville stor
of Hennessy's when he enlisted, and !
was presented to him by Centervil'
friends when he left. The fla. wa
given to William II. Yost of Butte, VIII
carried it until he was wounded, Marc
n, on the Marilao river. Yost turne
the flag over to Boast, who carried
until the rebel capital was captured.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
BOYS BUILDING
SUBMERSIBLE
TWO GREAT FALLS YOUNGSTERS
WORKING ON SECOND SUB
MARINE VESSEL
One They Constructed Last Year Sank
and Rose In Same Place But One
Now In Preparation Will Travel I'm

One They Constructed Last Year Sank
and Rose In Same Place But One
Now In Preparation Will Travel I'm
der Surface-Inventors Hope.
Great Falls has a most promising
infant industry" Its prOpriet0rs,
promoters and managers are Richard
Linquist, Is, of 9O6 Third avenue
northwest, and Ellsworth Arms, IL,
of 913 Central avenue west. They
are working just at present on the
construction of their second sub
marine. They built n last year
and while it demonstrated that it
was disable, it was not a complete
success, because it lacked distance.
Now they are working on their Sec
ond one and it will be a big improve
ment over the first one, according to
the youthful builders. They have been
spending their spare time studying
magazines and authorities on sub
marine construction.
just now their efforts are slowed
down until they can get 50 necessary
to purchase materials for the coming
tower, ballast tanks and submerging
vanes. The economy they exercise and
the modesty of their demands might
give the United States naval service
some idea of what the young American
inventive mind may bring about in
the future. France may see a grow
ing menace, too, from the Great Falls
submarine and demand a security pact.
The plans of the lads call for a boat
between IL and 16 feet long with a
coming tower four feet high and four
feet long. The periscope is to be two
feet high and Submerging vanes three
feet long.
The boys have arranged to attach
bicycle parts to a 'mOtOrboat propeller
for power to operate. The speed of the
new submarine they say will be be-
tween 10 and Is miles an hour. They
hope to get the money and complete
their boat ready to launch it and prowl
around the waters in the depths OF
the Missouri river by early summer.
The undersea boat constructed by
the boys last year submerged, remained
under for several minutes with its
youthful crew, and returned to the
surface. 1t was not, however, equipped
TO navigate and could only submergt
ana rise IN n spot. The new boat
is intended to remedy this defect.
The submerging operation is a mat
ter OF vacuum, air, and pumping. The
Two builders understand it perfectly
but the writer doesn't. At any rate
Whatever it is, it works-as those who
saw the boys first U-boat Launched
last summer can testify.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
FORMER BUTTE
MAN WINS OUT
MAKES FORTUNE FROM WHAT
WAS CONSIDERED HOPELESS
CONTRACT IN SEATTLE
George Nelson, Contractor. Undertakes
to Move $500, 900 Cubic Yards of
Earth at rs Cents a Yard; Sublets Job
for 16 Cents and Makes $3.50

George Nelson, former Butte man,
who built the Phoenix block and who,
with Louis Dreibelbis, brought the
first aviator to Butte to give a flying
exhibition, is contracting in Seattle
under conditions that have created
some cOmmOtiOn in the Washington
metropolis. MIR. Nelson's contract
was the subject of a report before
the Montana Society of Engineers
at their April meeting. The state
ment had to do with some amazing
profits made from what was regard
ed as a hopeless enterprise. The
report was read by Secretary Lloyd
Gage for Basil Hunt, who had pre-
pared it.
when Mr.. Nelson took the con-
tract" the statement read, Seattle
people who were familiar with condi-
tons said. Nelson has virtually signed
his petition in bankruptcy but that
didn't bother him a Bit"
The report went on to state that
Nelson took a contract to move $780,
900 cubic yards of dirt at 25 cents a
yard-a total of ST, 050, 900. He re-let
the contract for 16 cents a yard-and
made 1918, 000-just as a starter.
His contract gave him $450,O00 for
sewer, lighting and paving. He sub
let this at a profit of $4,000.
He was allowed $500 900 for clearing.
He did the job for $4,000. Nelson
wasn't finished with his profits. He
sold the earth he was removing to the
extent of 300, 900 cubic yards, to the
American Can company for 8 cents
a yard and made S27, 900 more. The
railroads became Interested and
bought 600. 900 yards for $54, 900, a total
Of $836,000 profit-and the possibilities
are not yet exhausted.
Nelson was to finish the job this
year, but will have only about 80 per
cent finished.
The secret of these amazing profits
is the purchase by Nelson of an endless
belt 81 inches wide which cost him
$500, 900 and which carried off the dirt
that IA lifted by three shovels at
practically no cost at all. Nelson in
sisted on electrically operated shovels
which cost him one-third the price OF
the steam type.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

/ sure hope all the old-timers will
come TO see Lewistown May " and %.
and visit. Remember, we are getting
DID. Bring your wives and sweethearts.
we have lots of room. AS the cowboy
said IN Miles City, II amt asking any
body, I'm asking everybody to come
and have a good time and a visit, and
II get encouragement, | might sing
you The Little Black Bull Came Down
the Mountain a Long Time Ago. Come
an eat, come an eatl"
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
nv w. III. BANFIIL)

OEVERAL years ago The remains Of
\ an old express treasure box, such
as were used on stage coaches, were
found in a pocket in the hills, not far
from the Lavina trail, which once was
the route of a stage line between Bill
lings and Fort Benton. Only a few
miles from the place Of discovery is
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

Holdup Cut, so
called because of
several stage rob-
berries which oc-
Cured in that To-
cality.
OF the box, only
some iron straps,
the spring lock
and the square
nails with which
the box had been
put together, re-
manned. All the
wood had disap-
peared but charred
a n d blackened
rocks where the
scraps OF iron
utnra found oouo
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15
Montana RAILWAY Taxes

Railroad taxes paid in Montana in
1929 totaled S5,144,513, approximately
one-third of total revenues earned by
the railroads on strictly Montana bust
ness, figures compiled by the state
railroad commission show. Taxes paid
Montana last year exceeded those of
the previous year by $330,837 and repre-
sent approximately one-eighth Of the
taxes for the entire systems.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

evidence that the box had been burned
in a hastily built fire, after the con-
tents of the treasure receptacle had
been removed, in order to destroy the
evidence of the robbery. Rocks over
hanging the place formed part Of a
natural ampitheater where the rob-
bers could drop from view while from
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-05-15

Valley county will have a recreation
school for men and ONE community
leaders, having the services of John
Bradford of the Playground and Rec
reation Association of America, who
will be in Glasgow June 26 and 81.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-25
~DOwn the Alleys .
BY LEFTY LEE

from Blakely Monument. West Side Five
a az noble O Oil ,; 255 hnlsh foT total
fels was next with 610.
It was. Holy's turn to put the Ellis
Barber Shop over during the South Side
Business Mems League play on the Foun-
tain Square drives. and he responded with
fine 672 on games of 265. POI and 206
Kasper Furniture. Ali other contests we're
decided two to one. Heidenreich Flowers,
Fountain Square State Bank and Carson
Bros. defeating Thomsp Shoes. Madison
Tedrowe also crossed the 600 line when he
finished With 2S7 to total GOT.
Bob Haagsma. the DIFFERING -Litzelman
star who has been going great all season.
was the winner of the open sweepstakes on
$50. Joe Michaels finished second with
662. Schleimer third on 66l. Behrens fourth
with $50 and Bohne fifth With 65S.
The Hohlt family will enjoy Turkey
Thursday at the expense of the Evangelical
aagf 5S P0gg o nq ba9 at BtP Jas and
the finish for high single game and the
prize. Hohlt's scoring was also responsible
loop. the White Sox taking three from the
Browns. as 1ndianans, Reds. Pirates, CARDS
and Giants. won two from Dodgers. Yanks.
looked them over from all heights. rising
to 230 in his second and dropping to 1l8
II in the mai BrnEma man we YES best oyer
622 and Eggert an even 600.
Harold Deal. the Delaware League star.
issues a challenge to Will Reagan for
a special match game in the near future.
Two-game wins featured the Reformed
Church League contests. Emmanuel. Ca
rollton Boosters. BARRACKS. Pleasant Ru4.
Trinity and Misfits defeating Second Re
formed No. 8. First Owls. First Tigers,
Pauls. Dave James closed the gap between
himself and Cray by rolling 632 to G. c. S
$50. Link had GOT.
The Illinois alleys will stage 200 scratch
singles sweepstakes next Saturday and
Sunday. This type of play has been popu-
lar all season, and the usual big turnout
Is expected.
Chuck Klein has been helping Woody at
the Central since Jess Pritchett became
Ill. All of Pritchett's friends are hoping
Tor his complete return to health before
big boy has been enjoying one of MS
greatest seasons to date.
Clarence Myers. who has been a one
man committee of ten. taking care of all
ARRANGEMENTS for the Central States event,
can now take Wel1-earned rest for a
few days.
A packed gallery 10 sure to watch Larry
Shotwell. National singles champ. and
holder Of the all-time record of 776 per-
form. Shotwen was practically an un-
known when he rolled this wonderful
string.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-25

4 real battle looms between the
north side rivals. A victory over
Shortridge will give the Irish a
strong claim 10 the city hign school
title Cathedral defeated Washing
ton, city public schools champion,
In a eason 1ontest, but vas tied by
Shortridge, who in turn loE to the
Continentals.
In a previous meeting the Blue
Devils and Cathedral battled to a
6 to draw
An appeal for full cooperation
of citizens in setting an attendance
record for Butler bowl by buying
seats and witnessing the game was
issued Monday night by William H.
Trimble. head of the indianapolis
Legion of the Chamber Of Com
merce.
Details for the game are nearing
completion. Shortridge students
Monday selected the west side of
the stadium and Cathedral the east.
The Sphinx Club, honorary frater-
nifty at Butler. is to assist in han
ding the large crowd.
A pep session, boosting the game,
was scheduled to be held today by
Washington high school students on
the steps Of the Soldiers and Sail
ors' Monument Manual students
staged a. demonstration Monday.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-25

The schedule for Central states play
which opens on the Pritchett Central al
levs Saturday is ready for the mail;
for this meet was a disappointment. con-
ditions beyond the control Of the boosters
helped to keep the entry down. However.
the lack OF auanltty will be made up for
in quality and some Of the greatest scor-
ing combinations and individual stars in
the country will take the drives before the
meet closes In late December. All arrange
ments to entertain the out-of-town visitors
have been made. and even though Indian
apolis will not have the biggest tourney.
officials are determined to make 1t the
best.
Tvner and Carmin we're the pin spillers
during the Indianapolis Star League play
on the Pritchett alleys. the former scor-
ing a total OF $40 and his team mate 63l.
to make IL an easy matter for the lead
ing Mailer No. / team to take three games
from Circulation Operators also won three
from Stereotvpers, while Mailers NO. 10
won the odd game from Intertype-
Stanley JeWelrv outclassed Kroger Gro
Gerry during the Pastime series on the In
diana. taking three games with case. Lang
jewellery also won three from Weber Milk;
after q hard battle. as Coca Cola. S. and
s. Body and Fair Store won two games
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-25
Basketball Sailing Is
Criticised by Trester

Members of the Indiana Officials
Association held a basketball clinic
at Technical high school Monday
and the principal speaker was A. l..
Trester, commissioner of the In
diana High School Athletic Asso-
citation. He criticised "stalling" tao
tics as practiced by some teams and
expressed the opinion it would be a
wise idea to play the game as other
games are played to give fans better
entertainment.
Birch Baugh and Paul Williams
discussed the changes in net rules
and two Tech squads played an ex-
hihition game to demonstrate the
changes.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-11-25
TRIO OF NET GAMES

A three-game basket card is Of
fered at the Riverside M. E. gym,
Edgemont avenue and Harding
street, tonight beginning at 7. The
playing floor has been ref1nished
aid the walls decorated for the
gala opening, which will find the
Riverside NJ. E. Juniors clashing
with the Crimson Cubs in the open
ing tilt. followed by the headliner
game, Riverside Buddies against the
Indianapolis Stove Company at 8.
The card will close with a con-
test between North Side Merchants
and the Sheridan A. Cs. at 8.