The Glacier reporter. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1953-current, 1955-09-09
Vale, Tromb|ey Charged With
Murder Of Gabriel Spotted Eagle

2 The mystery surrounding
the brutal murder Of Gabriel
Spotted Eagle at Dvpvyer on
July 18th has apparently been
solved as the result of the
work Of two special investi-
gators. with the cooperation
Of law enforcement officers
in both Glacier and Ponders
counties. and first degree
murder charges were filed in
Browning Wedne sdsy Of this
week against Albert Vsile
and George TrombIey. ehsrs-
ing them with committing
the crime.
Following the death OF Spotted
Eagle, whose body was found in
the rear of Dupuyer tavern, an
investigation into the cause of
/ death was started Immediately
/ by law enforcement officers of
the two counties. The crime was
committed in POndera county,
but the body was found in Glacier
county, which complicated pro-
cedure considerably. On July
18th a cOroner's inquest was held
in the Barracks building of
Browning by Coroner Beck of
Glacier county, but sufficient
evidence was not uncovered to
justify charges being filed at that
time. Both Trombley and Valie
were held for few days in the
Pondera county Jail on open
charges, but they were later re-
leased for lack of evidence. The
case was extremely difficult for
law enforcement officers, as there
was an apparent effort on the
part of witnesses to conceal the
facts of what actually transpired
during the afternoon and evening
on the day of the killing.
Not satisfied with the results
of the first Investigations, Mr.. and
Mrs. Francis Spotted Eagle, par
ents of the slain man, pressed
for further investigations, and
employed J +. TEX Collier, who
had served on the Browning po-
lice force and was later employed
as night Waterman in Browning
as merchant police, to work on
the case. Collier went to work
on the investigation, and was
commissioned as special inveSti-
gator by County Attorney Herbert
Conrad, Of Pondera county.
Collier, with the assistance of
Law enforcement officials of the
Two counties, uncovered much
new evidence, which is under
stood TO have included statements
by al least two eye witnesses to
the killing. Later Attorney John
i. Moore, former county attorney
OF Glacier county, was brought
INTO the case, and lent valuable
assistance the last two days of
the investigation. Police officers
Of Browning and the sheriffs Of
fIcers and county attorneys of the
two counties participated in
quiet way in helping 10 ferret
out the evidence.
Both suspects had been picked
: up by Browning police officers on
minor charges prior to the filing
OF the murder charges yesterday,
and held pending the formal
murder charges.
Both Vale and Trombley were
taken 10 Conrad Wednesday night
and lodged in the POndera county
jan. pending formal arraignment
or the murder charges. They
were taken TO Conrad by Sheriff
Ed Furstn0W and his deputy.
The suspects VIII be given
formal hearing in the Pondera
county town. and further pro-
cedIngs VIII be held in Pondera
county
Collier Thanks Helpers
In discussing the case WedneS-
day afternoon, after news of the
arrests broke Mr.. Collier ex-
planned in detail the steps taken
IN procuring the new evidence,
and the successful termination
OF the efforts Of the investigators.
He expressed his appreciation of
the help and cooperation ex-
tended him by officers of the
Two counties, especially melton
ing the help extended by John
Tatsy, Indian police officer at
Heart Butte; Harry Morrison,
deputy sheriff Of Pondera county
at Dupuyer, and all members of
the Browning police force, and
the services of Attorney John P.
Moore Of Cut Bank.