The Glasgow courier. [volume], December 31, 1920, Image 1

About The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current

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Official Paper
County of Valley
City of GU tStal * " lstor,ca|
The Glasgow Courier
This Iêêu e
All Home Print
Twelve Pages
VOL XVI.
GLASGOW, VALLEY, COUNTRY, MONTANA, DECEMBER 31, 1920.
NUMBER 33
LEGISLATURE
OPENSMONDAY
Capital City Is Swarming With
Lawmakers from Every Part
of Treasure State.
NEW GOVERNOR ON SCENE
Will Give His Message to Legistature
Tuesday at Joint Session. Helena
Will Royally Welcome the
Visiting Montanans.
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Helena. Dec. 30.—All is in readiness
at the state capitol building for the
seventeenth legislative assembly of
Montana.
At nooon on January 3, Secretary of
State C. T. Stewart will swing the ga
vel and call 108 representatives to or
der, after which he will give the oath
of office and all will qualify before
being formally seated. At the same
time a member of the supreme court
will induct the new senators to office.
To prepare for this session it has
, , , , „. , I
been necessary to add 11 more seats
in each, the senate and house of repre- '
sentatives. The new seats have been
placed in both houses. !
Of the 11 new counties which were j
created during the |ast two years, ,
seven were created by the last legis- j
lature and four by popular vote. Roose
velt county was created early in the |
session and immediately sent a repre
Se '>^ e ,. e ' 10U f ,e - .
The counties created by the legisla
ture are McCone, Garfield, Powder
River. Pondera, Glacier, Treasure and
Roosevelt. The counties created by
popular vote are Liberty, Daniels, i
Golden Valley and Judith Basin
Members of the seventeenth legisla
ne assembly are beginning to reach
Helena in preparation for the apening ;
session next Monday. Most of the law
makers have made reservations in ad- |
vance for apartment for the coming
two months. 1
Among those arriving those most
recently are the following:
Senator R. P. Heren of Custer
county, who is accompanied by Mrs.
Heren and their daughter, will live at
the Electric block. .... , !
Senator .lames Stewart of Meagher
and Mrs. Stewart have rooms at The |
Templeton.
SSS ÏSLSJÏÎ vX
county and Mrs. Slattery. Represent.a
tives. F. T. Phelps. K. H. Kiiudsvig |
and F. B (Gillette of Valley county. i
C. R. Swift, representative from
Treasure county.
Representatives Percy F. Dodds of
Flathead county and Mrs. Dodds.
Others are arriving hourly and are
taking up residence at the different i
anartments especially arranged for
their convenience during the session, j
Governor S. V. Stewart and family
moved Wednesday afternoon from the
executive mansion on Warren street
to the home he has purchased here lo
cat-ed at 504 Dearborn avenue, in pre
paring to end his administration of
eight years and give way to Governor
Joseph M. Dixon and family.
Mansion in Readiness.
The executive mansion was put in
readiness for Governor and Mrs. Dix
on who arrived in Helena today and
went directly to the executive mansion
where they will make their home. They
are accompanied by Miss Dorothy
Dixon, a student at the state university
and Misses Betty, Mary Jo and Peggy.
Miss Florence Dixon, who is a student
nt the John Hopkins university, Miss
Virginia Dixon, who is a teacher in the
Missoula high school, and Horace Wor
den, a cousin, arrived here on the
noon train and went to the execu
tive mansion. The family will remain
in the city until after the inaugural
ceremonies, after which Miss Florence
Dixon will return to John Hopkins and
the Misses Virginia and Dorothy Dix
on will return to Missoula.
Home is Show Place
The executive mansion was pur
chased eight years ago on the recom
mendation of former Governor E. L.
Norris. The legislature approved the
idea and a committee purchased the
former residence of the late Peter Lar
son. The home is among the show
places of the capital, has 15 rooms and
is modem throughout with every con
venience and facility for the state's
executive to rest and also to entertain
either informally or on a large scale
as the occasion demands.
Governor Dixon will deliver his mes
sage to the next legislature on Tues
day. The two houses will combine for
the occasion and make it a special
order of business.
With the arrival in Helena today
of Governor and Mrs. Joseph M.
Dixon, plans are rapidly being per
fected for one of the biggest social
events in the history of the state, to
which every one in the state is in
vited. It is the inaugural reception to
be held in the governor's reception
room at the state house on January 3.
There will be a 25-piece band on the
main floor of the state house for the
reception, and a 10-piece orchestra will
play dance music in the law library for
all who desire to dance.
In addition to this function residents
of Helena are also preparing for the
invitations have been sent to Governor
and Mrs. Dixon, all state officers and
their wives and all members of the
legislature and their wives. Already
several hundred tickets have been sold
for this function, which will be held
In the new Shrine mosque on January
7th.
Governor Dixon will assume office
at noon on January 3. He will be
sworn into office by Chief Justice
Brantly of the supreme court, and with
him will take the oath an entire set of
state officers, all of them Republican,
several being holdovers.
The legislature, which is to get down
to business January 3 for a session
limited by law to 60 days, including
Sundays, is also Republican, over
whelmingly. It will consist of a senate
(Continued on Page 7)
GLASGOW R. R. ROUTE NO. 1
TO BE CHANGED JANUARY 1.
Postmaster P. L. Herring announces
this week that beginning January First
Rural Route No. One running out of
Glasgow will go one and five-eighths
miles east from the point one mile
north of the Copeland School, thence
north two miles and west one mile;
thence on the old route excepting one
mile of the north end of the route,
which heretofore has been doubled,
and which will be cut off.
Service on this route will be cut to
three times a week, the trips being
made on Tuesday, Thursday and Sat
urday. This change has been made
necessary because of the fact that so
many families have moved to other
parts for the winter months.
DIXON DISMISSES
CABINET JOB TALK
Says He Will Stick to Position
to Which He Is Elected, Re
gardless of Offers.
Missoula. Dee. 30.—Governor-elect
Joseph M. Dixon,'whose name has been
mentioned frequently 'in connection
with Harding's cabinet as possible
f or secretary of the interior,
w h en see n bv an Associated Press cor
respondent declared that, having been
elected governor of Montana, he could
no j see y,j s wa y c ] ear to resign the po
s jti on . no matter how flattering an of
f er m j K ht come to him. His statement,
-follows -
"You will appreciate the fact that
an y discussion by me involving the
makeup of Mr. Harding's cabinet is a
ver y delicate matter. At the same time,
j am f ree sa y that, having been
by the people of Montana to
se rve as governor, I can see no possible
aituation j n the immediate future, no
'matter how flattering it might ho,
that wou ] f ] tempt me to resign the place
whic-Vi I have been elected. It would
seem like a breach of faith to do other
w j ?e
« It " be that j take the matter too
„eriously, but that is my noion of it.
Under ordinary circumstances. I would
have been glad to serve as secretary
of the interior. The position means
everyt hing to the west. In many
wavs jt would be a far easier place
tha " n the p 0vern0 rship, but as I see it,
mv dutv at this time is right here in
Montana "
* Mt
MASONIC WELFARE BODY
"
The Masonic Welt are Association o!
the Northeastern Montana division,
which is composed of the membership
of the lodges located in the towns of
Scobey, Redstone. Plentywood, Mon
dak, Culbertson, Poplar, Wolf Point,
Glasgow, Hinsdale, Saco. and Malta,
will hold its next quarterly meeting at
Poular on Wednesday, January 12th,
WILL MEET AT POPLAR
Masons from Entire Northeastern
Part of Stale Will Gather in Ses
sion January 12th.
1921.
This meeting looms up as one of
the best in the history of the division.
A number of special features have
been added. Some of the features of
the meeting will be a banquet by the
Aurora Chapter O. E. S.; a musical
program under the direction of Frank
N. Mitchell. Superintendent of the
Poplar Schools; a number of addres
ses on Masonic work, with Grand
Master R. G. Hathaway of Glendive
the principle speaker. Dana M. Easton
will act as toastmaster; and the busi
ness session will be presided over by
J. M. Stewart, acting chairman of the
Association.
Arrangements are being made at
Poplar for the entertainment of 225
visiting Masons at the meeting.
STATE'S PRIZES AT
INTERNATIONAL SHOW
List of Prizes Show Valley County
County Man Gets Recognition on
His Alfalfa Seed Exhibit.
Montana was very prominent at the
1920 International Hay and Grain
show held in the Coliseum at Chicago.
The Glasgow Chamber of Commerce
helped in the sending of exhibits to the
show from this state and as a reward
Montana has won more than its share
of the prizes awarded.
The following is a complete list of
the prizes given to citizens of Mon
tana:
Corn.
Single ear—First, C. Tilden, Park
City; second, Fort Keogh, Miles City;
third, E. E. Eiker, Huntley; fourth G.
W. Mason, Hathaway.
Yellow dent—First J. J. Shambaugh,
Miles City; second. Kenneth McLean,
Miles City; third, Jess Freshour, For
syth; fourth F. M. Kerr, Savage; fifth
Fort Keogh, Miles City.
Ten ears, White Dent—First, Mrs.
Katherine Erpelding, Forsyth; second,
F. A. Spears, Miles City, third, G. W.
Mason, Hathaway; fourth, Lee Ben
nett, Hathaway.
Wheat.
Hard Red Winter—Third, Jim Arnold,
Bozeman; fourth, Carl Knutson, Col
umbus; sixth, W. J. Hartman, Man
hattan; seventh, Gordon Sanders, Man
son; eighth, Leonard Bopp, Forsyth;
25th, Hayes & Guard, Kolin. Note Col
orado won first and second in this
class.
Durum Wheat — Fourth, Thornberg
Skinner, Simftis.
Oats.
Sixth, John Huffine, Bozeman.
Six Rowed Barley.
First—W. J. Hartman, Manhattan;
23rd, James Sanders, Manson.
Alfalfa.
Fourth— W. De Messemaker, Tam
pico; sixth, R. H. Clarkson, Chinook
ninth, J. K. Gibh, Purewater.
Valley County' s Legislative Representation
The county of Valley never delegated a more worthy representation to both of the state houses of legislature,
than the four men who this week left for the State Capital to serve in the Seventeenth Session.
Valley's representation this session is sent, not as mei*ly successful Republican candidates, but men who in the
recent emergency proved really sound blooJed Americans—fnen who stood out for the right and the protection of
the state against anti-American principles. They were elected at the polls on November 2nd, not from an ancient,
purely partisan point of view but more than that, as worthy citizens qualified to present the cause of their constitu
ents in a sane, business-like and efficient manner.
Perhaps there never was in the history of this or any olher state a more important session of the state legis
lature than the Seventeenth Montana Assembly which will oyen convention on Monday afternoon next. Perhaps
never in the history of this great Northwestern Commonwealth did matters of such a vital natu; e confront the law
makers. It is safe to predict that every member of this important body will this coming few weeks be forced to face
and judiciously dispose of matters which will, more than ever, have to do with the entire future of the whole state.
The opportunity confronting these men of responsibility is equally as great as the emergency. It is their to hold
together the unity which alone will spell state success; it is theirs to devis« ways and means for the healing of those
sores which may have been responsible for the erosion of the past few months. They have been elected, almost all
of them, not as members of any party; not as followers of any public doctrine, but as citizens to go forth and bring
to pass those things of a constructive nature which will make impossible any dissatisfaction similar to the misunder
standings of the most recent past.
Valley county is indeed fortunate, for her delegation, the citizens to whom she has entrusted the welfare
of her interests and her share of the state's interests are most worthy men. Citizens of experience, of sane judg
ment, they will act only in accordance with the trust that has been placed in them.
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SENATOR JOHN L. SLATTERY
Senator John L. Slattery was elected to the upper house in 1918. He has
already efficiently served in the Sixteenth Session of 1919 and the 1919 Special
Session. He is a long resident of the city of Glasgow and Valley county, an
able attorney, member of the firm of Slattery & Klein. The Senator is an
able orator, capable of presenting his cause in a most intelligent and com
prehensive manner. He has always shown a determination to hold forth
for those laws which are of a conservative, constructive, a sane and a truly
fair nature. Ile is a student of the economic question and well versed in mat
ters of vital interest to the agriculture sections of the state.
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RECLAMATION ORDER
TEMPORARILY HELD UP
.Meeting of Water Users of Milk River
Project Results in Much Heated
Discussion.
A lively session of the water users
of the Milk River Project with Recla
mation Project Manager George E.
Stratton present, convened at the Or
pheum Theatre in Glasgow yesterday
afternoon.
As announced in the last issue of
the Courier, the meeting was called
by Mr. Stratton for the express pur
pose of hearing discussion relative to
the fencing notices recently issued
from the project managers office.
It seems that this order requested
that farmers along the main govern
ment ditch and the government lat
erals remove all fences across such
and other fences and abstacles so as to
make it possible for the government
employees of the project to operate
at convenience. Mr. Stratton claims
in his report that there are 20 of such
fences between Tampico and Brazil
Creek, the territory covered by the re
quste.
After much discussion, Mr. Stratton
agreed to temporarily hold up the
order, and farmers are thus relieved
from such compliance until they re
ceive further notice from the manag
er's office.
There were more than fifty of the
eighty interested water users in at
tendance, and County Agent Murray
E. Stebbins opened the meeting.
Mr. and Mrs. E. A. Seefeldt shipped
their household goods to Minpt Tues
day of this week. Mr .Seefeldt has been
traveling for Stone, Ordeen, Wells &
Co. out of Glasgow for some time but
has now been transferred to the Minot
office of the s a me co mpany.
E. T. PHELPS
Representative E. T. Phelps is a
practical farmer, of the Baylor com
munit y. He is a man of experience at.
the State Capitol, having served in
the session of 1915. He is a most re
liable citizen and competent man for
the position. His policies are well
known to the citizens o T the county.
His attitude has always been one of
keen interest in the development of
Northern Montana. Being a practical
farmer he is most fitted to deal with
intersts of the farming section of the
state.
The four Valley county representa
tives left this week for Helena. They
will be pleased to har at any time
from any member of their constituency
relative to the interests in legislature
of this part of the state.
DIPHTHERIA PREVENTS
MEETING OF FARMERS
Harlem, Dec. 29—Owing to the fact
that a ban had been placed en public
gatherings the potato meeting which
was scheduled to have been held here
last week has been postponed until a
later date. A meeting of the haygrow
ers was also to have been held this
week, but this meeting has also been
held off until some time after the first
of the year.
EASTERN WOMAN WOULD
LOCATE RELATIVE HERE
Sends Enquiry Seeking Whereabouts
of Clarence Cook. Formerly Re
sided Here.
To those residents of Valley county
who lived here back in 1898, the letter
of enquiry received this week by the
Courier may prove of interest. Mrs.
Ethel Hannah, who was formerly Miss
Ethel Cook, who resided with her par
ents in this city up until 1898, and
the daughter of a railroader who
at that time worked out of this
division point, writes seeking informa
tion regarding the whereabouts of
Mr. Clarence Cook, who is said to have
lived in Glasgow with his wife and
two daughters.
In her letter, Mrs. Hannah men
tions the names of some of the pioneer
residents of the city who are still
living here. She states that her moth
er died here in 1898. and that she was
hut six years of age that year when
the family moved from this point east.
Mrs. Hannah resides at 506 Oak
wood Street, Pittsburgh Pa., and
would appreciate any information
available relative to the location of her
relative.
K. H. KNUDSVIG
Representative K. H. Knudsvig is
one of the most successful fanners of
the county, with his residence in the
Larslan community. Mr. Knudsvig
is a man of extensive practical ex
perience in both business and farming
circles. Before coming to Montana
some several years ago he was a farm
er in North Dakota, and for some time
operated a successful drug store .busi
ness in that state. He has always fig
ured prominently in matters pertain
ing to the development of the agricul
tural and business interests of Valley
county and the Northern part of the
state.
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F. B. GILLETTE
Representative F. B. Gillette goes
to the state legislature this session for
his first term. Mr. Gillette is a prom
inent business man of Hinsdale, hav
ing real estate and retail lumber
businesses at that place. He justlv
merits the confidence that has been
placed in him by the citizens of the
county. Being an experienced business
man and a live student of the issues of
the day, he can be depended upon to
serve all interests in an epually just
and business like manner.
DEPOSITORS NOT TO LOSE
A CENT SAYS BEISECKER
President of Plentywood Bank Prom
ises to Make Good the Al
leged Shortage.
Helena, Dec. 28.—Every depositor
of the Sheridan County State bank of
Plentywood, will receive his money, is
the promise of T. L. Beiseker, presi
dent and owner of that and 13 other
banks in Montana and North Dakota,
according to H. S. Magraw, state bank
examiner.
Appointment of a receiver to handle
the affairs of the bank while its debts
are being liquidated will be made in a
few days, Mr Magraw said on his re
turn to this city after investigating
the bank which was closed last week.
Mr. Magraw said the alleged shortage
of Chester J. Beiseker are nearly $200.
000, according to the check which had
been made when Mr. McGraw left
Plentywood for Helena.
Mr. Magraw will return to Plenty
wood on Tuesday to arrange for ap
pointment of a receiver. In speaking
of the bank, which he closed last week,
with the arrest of Chester J. Beiseker,
cashier, on charge of making a false
return to the state department, Mr.
Magraw said:
"I have the promise of President T.
L. Beiseker, to do all in his power to
pay back every cent to the depositors.
Chester J. Beiseker was engaged in
farming on an extensive scale as well
as banking."
Mrs. C. W. Kampfer has accepted a
position as teacher of English in the
High School at Webster, South Da
kota. She will leave January 1 and
will spend Sunday with her folks at
Fargo, N. D. before going to Webster.
LOCAL YOUNG MAN MAKING
RAPID PROGRESS WITH RADIO
Oliver Kent spent a couple of days
this week at Wolf Point inspecting the
R. J. Moore Radio Station at the
Sherman Hotel.
Oliver is leading the young men of
the city in radio work. His interest and
his success with the local radio station
work is worthy of especial comment.
His messages are heard all through
the west. A few days ago he talked
direct to Sioux Falls, So. Dak. He has
also heard the operation of stations
at Chicago and in the Twin Olties.
Radio is indeed fascinating and
holds a promising future to the young
man who adapts himself to its work.
MOTHER MAY DIE BY
GAS OFCOAL STOVE
Tragedy Occurs in Malta as the Re
sult of Turned Damper and
Closed Windows.
Malta, Dec. 30.—Two claypool chil
dren are dead and the mother is in a
most critical condition as the result o r
breathing coal iras at their home in
this city. Mrs. Claypool and her chil
dren were found unconscious Friday
afternoon by two of her sons who had
spent the night previous on their ranch
near Malta. One of the children at
home, a boy of 1(! never regained con
sciousness and died t h : 11 evening,
while the other child, a girl aged 12.
died the following Tuesday ni<;ht aft
three days of suffering.
Mrs. Claypool v ho is in a dangerous
condition, said that she and the child,
ren were awakened in the night by the
5 ense that something was won?, The
■on endeavored to obtain relief but in
leaving his bedroom fell twice, the
second time his head striking a chair.
He was rendered unconscious by the
blow. Neither the mother nor th"
daughter were able to go for aid. It
nnpears that the damper in the stove
r rom whi<'h the gas escaped had been
■dosed, while the lower draft had been
left on. forcing the poisonous gas out
through two small holes in the mica.
As none of the windows in the house
were open, the rooms soon filled.
FORMER GLASGOW MAN
DIES IN NEW MEXICO
James L. Conlo< r, ie Passes Away at
Silver City. Liv«d in Valley County
l'or Several Ye«rs.
Friends of Mr. and Mrs. James L.
Conlogue were saddened last week by
the news of the death of Mr. Conlogue
at Silver Citv New Mexico.
James L. Conlogue was born in
Minnesota in 1889, and died at his
New Mexico home on December 20th,
1920. He came to Glasgow in 1914,
and was married soon after to Miss
Nora Casey of Darwin, Minn. A son
and a daughter were born to them;
the daughter passing away about
one year ago.
While in this city the deceased was
in the employ of the lirm of Christin
son and Hill and for a short time at
the Glasgow Post Office. He left the
employ of the Post office to take up
residence on Iiis homestead near Avon
dale. with the hope that the change
might prove beneficial to his health.
About a year later he entered the Far
mers State Bank at Glentana and was
soon promoted to the office of Assis
tant Cashier.
He left Valley couiitl' for Silver
Citv some time ago with a view to
bettering his health conditions.
The family had a host of friends and
acquaintances here.
Besides his wife and four year old
son, he leaves relatives in Minnesota.
Interment was made at his old home
near Clontarf, Minn.
COUNTY SEED LOANS
ARE LOST TO BLAINE
Failure to File Lists With Grain Buy.
ers Subjects County to
Heavy I^osses.
Harlem, Dec. 26.—Owing to the fact
that there was no systematic collection
of seed liens by the county this fall it
stands in a position to lose thousands
of dollars of the money appropriated
last spring to buy seed wheat for the
needy farmers.
It seems that all banks and individu
als who had crop liens of any kind
served the various elevators with a list
of the names of these creditors and
when these farmers brought in their
grain it was promptly collected. The
county failed to put out such a list
until a week or so ago. In the mean
time it appears that the banks and in
dividuals got their money, but the
county got nothing even in cases where
the county had a prior right. In many
events farmers who got seed grain
from the county sold their whole crop,
got their money and moved out of the
country and now the county must hold
the sack.
The fore part of the week all the
elevator managers of Harlem were
called to appear before the commis
sioners with their records so that the
county could check up the names of
the farmers who had county seed
liens on their crop and sold their grain
without satisfying the said lien. The
elevator men at Chinook and Savoy
were called upon to do likewise.
It is said that the county can hold
the elevators responsible for buying
this mortgaged grain and can collect
from them. What the commissioners
plan on doing in this matter had not
yet been divulged.
Hugh Simonton of Malta visited at
the home of his sister, Mrs. Robbins
and family New Years Day.
"LONG «or
FRANCIS DEAD
Famous Cow Puncher of North
Country Meets Tragic End
on Prairie North of
Havre.
CUTS THROATTO END PAIN
late. Riding in Auto Takes Queer
Hand in Career of Convicted Man
—His Nervy Battle Against
Heavy Odds is Lost When
Strength Wanes.
Going out on Christmas eve to carrv
(rifts to a woman friend, a school
teacher near the Canadian border.
"Lonp-" George Francis of Havre, who
was to report Tuesdav to start serv
it!" ■' prison term for Vior ; e stealing,
cut his throat to avoid freezing to
death, after h's automobile was
wreck»d !'nd his le<r broken. His body
"T" fou"d late Sundav bv ranchers
and hps been broueht to Havre.
Candv. apn'es and other presents
he vas carryin" were scattered on
the ice of the Milk River - r} -i ni'les
"orfh of Havr°. near the wrecked car.
From *he bov ho had fa e Ho"ed
a splint and after binding up his leg
\v : fh nie-os o^ overalls, crawled a
mile in p f *-omntin"' to reach the near
est farm, t^> no miles farther on.
The Frnnci« C^«e.
Francis, »ne of Montana's most
famous cowbnvs. w°s co""icto<( in
Mnivh 1918 of .-♦■.fiHno- •• h.^~ ,
Ion "in g to Phil Clack of Ha-"". Fol
lowing his conviction bp m"f ,n •> sen
sational escape and was in hid'ti" in
the Rear P-w m ou'" t - H « f nr
seventeen months. Ile siHden'v de
cided to surrender and i-i-oive
Ms sentence and or« day 'n July
1919 he walked into the distri-* «onrt
room in Havre and was sentenced bv
Mie district jud^e. He wa> '•■»rranded to
he custod'' of 'he '-heriff fid was
placed in jail. His attorneys, however,
cave notice of a" appeal to th» «täte
supreme curt. The court fixed the
l »ond at *(>.000 and several of Havre's
nvst prominent business men became
sureties fo»- Francis. The state su
nreme court decided his appeal against
him 15 days ago and it wa= reported
bv the countv attore" of Hill county,
who was in Helena when the decision
was rendered, that a bench warrant
had been issued for Francis and that,
the sheriff's deputies were unable to
locate him. It was feared by the coun
ty attorney that Francis would not
serve his term in prison because of
the alleged boasts by him and several
of his friends that he would never go
to prison. Later, Francis read in the
newspapers of the report that he was
planning to leave the countrv and he
wrote a letter to the Great Falls Tri
bune saying that he would be in the
sheriff's hands on the 15th day follow
ing the decision of the supreme court.
A Wild West Performer.
George Francis was an early day
cowboy. His headquarters have been
at Havre for 25 years. He is said to
have been a close friend and pal of
Kid Curry, the famous outlaw, and
up to the time of his death carried the
revolver formerly used by Kid Curry.
He was the owner of a cow horse which
was known throughout the country as
the trick horse. With his horse some
years ago Francis toured the entire
United States and Canada, taking
part in all of the largest wild west
shows and winning many thousands of
ollars in prizes. In fact, it is reported
that one year Francis was the lead
ing prize winner at. all of the larger
wild west shows of the country. At
times he worked with a partner in
his wild west performances and was
the leading character in the Havre
Stampede which was staged for sev
eral years. Francis has accumulated
something of a fortune nrior to his
conviction of the horse stealing charge,
but this is said to have been spent in
his defense and living since the charge^
was filed against him.
Had Many Friends.
Despite any criminal inclinations
George Francis mav have had he had
hundreds of warm friends in Montana.
Almost everyone in the city of Havre
and northern Montana knew George
Francis personally and many were his
very close friends who stood readv to
go the limit for "Long George." This
was evidenced at the time of his re
turn from hiding in the Bear Paw
mountains. More than 15 business men
and bankers of Havre were present
in the court room upon his return and
asked the privilege of going his bond.
Was Unlucky in Love.
Francis was said to have been dis
appointed in love in his early car
eer. When he first started out in
Montana he formed a partnership
with a man who is now a prominent
and rich cattleman of the northern
end of the state. Both Francis and
his partner were in love with the
same girl. "Long George" was in
favor with the young lady, but, as
the story goes among George's
friends, the parent» of the girl pre
ferred his partner as the husband
of their daughter. "Long George"
was an adventurer and his jtertner
was thrifty and soon had a good
amount of this world 's goods. His
first sweetheart, therefore, was guid
ed by her parents to accept the
most prosperous of the two lovers. The
partners then become bitter enemies
and have remained so until the last of
"Long George." It is told in Havre by
many of the old timers of how Francis
and his former friend and partner
would meet on the street of the Hill
county seat and engage in a fist fight
the equal of which is seldom seen.
They are said to have fought until they
both became exhausted and after a rest
would resume fighting.
With but four days of liberty left
him and knowing that he might never
see her again, Long George on Friday
bought his candy and apples and other
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