Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1932-09-15
ARTHUR HANCOCK IS
CAUGHT AFTER LONG
HUNT BY OFFICERS
SHERIFF MADSEN RETURNS
GUILTY MAN HERE TO
RECEIVE SENTENCE

SENTENCE
Sheriff Hans Madsen, aeeenpan-
led by Niels Madsen, Clerk & Re
corfer, left by car Friday for Col
vile, Wash, to bi ing back Arthur
Hancock, alias Dan Greg ", or
Denbys who mas confesserd to par
t~iclpatlon in the brutal attacl. upon
Mr.. and Mrs. Jonas Erickson. at
their farm hume about SIX miles
cast Of Antelope, the evening Of
June n.
Details Of Hancock's confession
have not been received in Plenty
wood, but the sheriff's office re-
ceived notice that a signed state
ment is in the hands of officials at
the Washington city.
The arrest and confession of Han
cock, who was familiarly known as
SDan' came as a result of quiet in
designations by Sheriff Madsen and
Deputy Franc Murray.
Hancock had been employed at the
Erickson farm in 1927, and worked
in that vicinity during threshing in
following years. About a month be-
fore the attack on the Erickson's.
Hancock had again been seen in the
vicinity by neighbours, although he
had evidently taken every precau-
=tlen te avoid detection at the time.
fuffUWing the attack, a good man
innocent people in the Antelope and
Dagmar communities were accused
OF committing the crime, and the
sherlff's office received much unfa-
vcrabfe criticism for not molesting
these suspects.
Clue was Found
A chance remark, to the effect
that Hancock and a companion had
Deen seen IN he vicinity previous to
the attack, was worked on BY the
sherlff's office, and now proves to
be correct
Attempted Robbery
On the night of the attack. Han
cock and another mar entered the
Erickson yard from a nearby grove
Of trees. Both men were masked.
Mrs. Erickson was In the ward at
the time OF their appearance and one
OF the would-be robbers struck her
over the head with a bottle which
ne carried in his hand. The ether
man entered the house, carrying a
Dcttle IN one hand and a revolver in
the other, and, encountering Mr.. Err
ickson, pointed the weapon at the
aged mar ard commanded him to
raise his han AT this time Mr.. Err
ickson heard his wife scream and in
stead Of raising his hands, quickly
grabbed the revolver from his as
sailant and wrestea it from him. By
TINS time, the other man. who has
now proven TO be Hancock. came in
70 the house and was flaored by a
chair with which Mr.. Erickson hit
him over the head. Before the men
made their hurried exit, Mr.. Erick-
son had been struck over the head
with a bottle and was bruised cen
slderahly by broken glass, being
brought to the hospital here to have
his wounds closed.
An all night vigil by neigbar's and
the sheriff's posse failed at the
to find any trace of the d
but a few scant clues were obtained
Among these were some articles Of
clsthing discarded by Hancock. and
winch were stained with blood from
the wound on his head caused from
being hit by the chair. A tuft of
was alsc found on the chair.
and this led to capture of the guilty
The sireriff's office has been
constantly on the lookout fer the
who was known to bear the
wound, and when the remark
made that Hancock had been, in
country the officers worked
on the theory that he was
7he object Of their search. Descrip-
ct him were broadcast to all
parts OF the country and he was I'll
rally picked up about three weeks
age in Washington. Officers there
the Sheridan county offic-
us that he bore a distinct scalp
wound ard the tuft of hair was sent
q them, to be analysed, so that it
,ould be determined whether or not
t came from his scalp. When Ham
'ock was confronted with this evid-
ance, he promptly plead guilty Il,
ne crime, and his statements were
by his wife, who wa
With him 1t the time OF his appre-
tension.
Hancock named John Eldred, bro
her OF Mrs. Hancock, as his
lice IN the attack, and officers have
lot disclosed the news Of Hancock's
apprehension before, with the view
t also locating Eldred.
Five hundred dollars reward had
cen offered by Sheridan county for
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