Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1942-03-07

on the part of citizens, the guilty ones
were apprehended. One night, long
after the shadows fell. two Of the sus-
pected were captured in the act OF
driving off cattle that was not their
own, and they we're trailed. About
midnight they halted to rest, went
into camp, and while sleeping we're
surrounded by the grim avengers. No
explanations were asked of the trem-
bling culprits, and none was needed.
They had been caught in their act Of
crime to expiate which they were
soon struggling in mid-air from the
limb Of a tree where the bodies were
left and later discovered.
Stage Owner Suspected
Another man who was strongly suS-
pected of secret connection with the
Excelbee gang was j. B. Pruden, mail
contractor, express agent, and stage
owner on the route from Miles City
to Spearfish. Pruden was finally ar
rested at the former place by deputy
United States marshal, who telegraphed
to United States marshal A. A. Ray
mond at Deadwood to send an officer
for the prisoner. Fred A. willard, who
was deputy at Spearfish, deputized j.
w Ryan who made the trip to Miles
CITY and took Pruden to Deadwood
to be tried by the courts.
In the winter of 1883-84 the curtain
finally dropped on the long, wicked
career of the Excelbee gang. THIS nap
pened at Stoneville, Montana. the
story of the closing scenes OF the tragic
drama Is (shorn of its details) about as
follows:
The outlaws in their extended raids
had visited the Indian reservations on
the Missouri river and stolen a num-
her of Indian horses. Complaint was
made by the Indian agent to the United
States marshall at Deadwood, VINO al
once put officers on the trail. The OUT
laws. having doubtless been forewarned
Of the danger of their being caught,
had packed their personal equipment
and moved out westward toward Miles
CITY. Officers Fred A. Willard and
jack OHara Of Spearfish, with Cap
tain A. M. Willard of Deadwood, armed
with due process of law, took up the
trail.
The Fight At StoneviIIe
The five mounted bandits with three
pack horses were overtaken at Stone
Vile. where a desperate fight ensued,
resulting in the death Of one OF the
officers, Jack OHara, and the mortal
Of each member Of the gang
except BILLY the Kid" who escaped I'M
scathed.
Upon discovering their men, the Of
Ficers circled around to the northward
and climbed little eminence where
,hev could command the situation
willard, taking position with O'Hara on
he right, called to the outlaw leader,
Excelbee: II have a warrant for your
arrest" Thereupon the outlaws turned
and faced the officers, and shooting |
Degan from both ranks. Wizards first !
hot struck Campbell, who threw up I
MS hands and fell from his horse, ana
It about the same moment, O'Hara was |
heard to exclaim, II guess am killed.
willard threw his arms around him as
1e was about to fall when q shot from |
The rear penetrated his left shoulder
danced across and came out at the
right, causing a serious, though hos
iangerous, flesh wound. OHara lived |
about ten minutes. About the fourth |
hot ExceIbee was seen to throw up his
hands and fall from his horse. About
his time the officers discovered that
hey we're being fired at from the
ear by the kid" who had taken REL
ICE behind a pile Of lumber, from
where he had shot the officers. Dur