Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-02-14


of July, the then small village of
Lewistown was the scene Of a battle
royal with guns and pistols in the
place of fists, in which two desper-
ADDE'S from Wyoming were pitted
against the entire membership Of the
community and three men lost their
lives.
OF the fatalities, only one belonged
to town, the other two victims being
the tough guys" who essayed to shoot
up the town but who paid with their
lives for their recklessness. The two
were Charles Owens, who went by the
sobriquet of 'Rattlesnake Jake" and
Charles Fallon.
The two desperate characters had
arrived on Big Spring creek about
three weeks before with small band
of horses which they said they had
driven from Wyoming. They camped
in various places trading and selling
off some Of the stock. Owners of horses
in the vicinity kept on the alert, be-
lieving them to be horse thieves.
The older of the pair, "Rattlesnake
Jake" between IS and 40, was Of slim
build, wore his dark brown hair flow
ing over his shoulders, and his thin
lips, peaked nose, sallow complexion
and small gray eyes made up a face
that seemed to indicate combination
of cruelty and daring. His weapons
were two long-barreled As caliber re-
volvers and two knives. all in holsters
and sheaths attached to a cartridge
belt around his waist.
His companion was about the same
build and makeup, though not quite
as hard looking character, but wore
his hair trimmed short. He was about
80 years Of age and went by the name
Of Charles Fallon. He usually carried
a Winchester rifle and a knife, but
no revolver.
On the afternoon of the Fourth of
July the two rode into Lewistown
leading two pack horses. Soon after
their arrival a race was gotten up be-
tween two scrub horses and while the
crowd was waiting dispute arose be-
tween Dutch Henry" Goodshaw and
q half breed by the name Of Bob
Jackson.
While they were quarreling Rattle
make Jake" dropped off his horse and
edged over to jackson, holding his
hand on his gun, but as the dispute
snded with no blows he said nothing |
until jackson asked what he meant |
by standing there with his hand on
lis gun.
'RattleSnake Jake" replied that he |
would have knocked Jackson down had |
1e struck Dutch Henry" whereupon
Jackson left and 'RattleSnake Jake"
his horse However, Jackson I
returned and in a rough |
manner intimated that although Jake
packed two guns he need not think
le could run the town
Upon this Jake struck him across
he mouth with his revolver, knocking
lin to the ground. Jackson scrambled
% his feet and started to run off
nut he was followed by Jake and Fall
on. Overtaking him Jake covered him
With his gun and compelled him to
meel and then to lay face downward
N the ground.
Jake then remarked to his compan-
on that he guessed they would have
o take the town and q few minutes
ater rode up to Crowley g. Kemp's
aloon, which they entered and took
hree drinks apiece. While there Jake
emarked he would be perfectly salts
led If he could kill John Doane,
lf-breed.
Doane was standing in the door Of
he T. @. Power & Bros. store when
axe stepped out of the saloon. Whip
ing out his gun he commenced fir
ng while Doane threw up small 80
aliber revolver, the bullet hitting the
Of Jakeis pistol hand. Jake
transferred the gun to the other hand
nd resumed firing into the store at
'oane.
BY this time the scramble for guns
ad become general and shooting be-
an in earnest. Fallon was on his
orse discharging his rifle at anyone
Tithin sight when he was shot through /
ne abdomen, causing him to fall for
ard upon the horn Of his saddle, and
fheeling his horse he made a run of
bout 400 yards up the street. Seeing (
is companion still In danger In spite
his mortal wound he turned and
ode back to his pal" who had taken
sfuge behind Ed Clark's photograph
wTk Z