It falls to my lot to report to you another one of those horrid acts which have blackened the reputation of our State.

On Friday the 15 instant, Captain G. E. Culver, the Bureau Agent stationed at Cotton Gin, Freestone county, and his orderly, were murdered three miles north of Springfield, Limestone county.

It appears that Captain Culver had some little difficulty with one Wm. Stewart, and this same Stewart claims to have killed both Captain Stewart and his orderly, and says they fired on him first; but, strange to say, they were shot with different guns. Captain Culver's head was also severed asunder, done with an axe or some other sharp instrument. There was a large bullet hole through his right breast, and there was no hole in the shirts or vest Captain Culver has on at the time he was killed. It is strange that a large ball should pass through a man's body and not through the clothes he had on at the time. It is a great mystery. Would it not be well for good General Reynolds to have this thing thoroughly investigated? The clothes Captain Culver had on are now in the hands of Lieutenant D. F. Stiles, at Waco, and can be see by any one. These mysteries are quite common in this part of the State.
Captain Culver was an active member of the Union League of America, and was to open a Council in Springfield on the night of the 16th, and the rebels of that place had said he should not do it, and they made good their threat.
As soon as I learn further particulars I will write you. There were two freedmen reported to have been killed at Cotton Gin on the 16th, and the rebels were disarming the freedmen in Freestone county on the day of the threat to kill Captain Culver.
Yours in haste,
J. H. Toledo.

Denison Daily News, Denison, Tex., – 28 Jan 1871 – THE TROUBLES IN HILL COUNTY. – As much as been said of the recent disturbances in Hill county and the action of the authorities in connection therewith, we propose to give a statement of the facts as they actually occurred. It appears that on or about the 28th ult., Lieut. Pritchett of the State Police, while in pursuit of a criminal in Hill county with a detachment of policemen, was set upon by a body of armed men, who with every manifestation of violent intent, arrested him, and by illegally detaining him under bond upon a false charge, preventing him from discharging his duty. The names of the parties engaged in this unlawful proceeding are: James J. Gathings, Ben Gathings, George Gathings, James Demumber, William L. Towner, Frank Wier, Henry Strong, ___ Williams, and Dr. A. M. Douglas. Necessary representations having been made to the Adjutant General's office, and it having been found upon careful consideration that a combination existed in Hill county sufficient to overawe and baffle the civil authorities, proclamation was issue by the Governor, placing Hill county under the Sixth regiment of State Guard was ordered up preliminary to the organization of a military commission, which was effected by a special order for the purpose.

The matter being one of such delicacy and importance, General Davidson went up in person to Hillsboro, which was made a military post in command of Captain Napier of the State Guard, Colonel Gibbs being in command of the county. Upon his arrival martial law was declared, the military commission organized, and steps taken to have the guilty parties arrested. Upon arrest, those who were implicated in the outrage acknowledged having done wrong, and stated their willingness to defray the expense that had occurred in consequence of these proceedings. Upon this confession and statement, they were turned over to the civil authorities, and placed under bonds of from $1000 to $2000 each to make their appearance at the District Court. Matters being thus adjusted, the military commission was dissolved, the county turned over to the civil authorities, and the several military officers ordered to their respective homes–martial law having been in force just two days. In this connection too much credit cannot be given to General Davidson for his prompt and uniformly discreet action in the whole case–both in the general arrangement which he adopted, and in the personal supervision which his sense of the pub-the gravity of the measure impelled him to give. –State Journal

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1871 - Houston Daily Union - Vol. IV-101 p. 2
MIDNIGHT MURDER ON THREE MEN, FOR THEIR MONEY, IN HILL COUNTY.

We find the following in the Hill County Expositor of Dec. 26th:

On the night of the 20th inst. one of the most horrible and atrocious crimes over committed in our county was perpetrated on White Rock creek, about eight miles from Milford, on the road from Dallas to Waco.

The circumstances, so far as we have been able to gather before going to press, are as follows: Lat on the evening of the 20th some men in charge of wagons were seen, by persons living on the main road, going down toward the creek, a short distance from the road, it was supposed, to camp for the night. Nothing was thought of this till a freedman, during the morning, came up the creek in search of his oxen. At the camp fire he found a razor, a necktie and some other articles lying around on the ground. In looking around he discovered blood, and soon came upon the bodies of three murdered men, partially concealed in the brush. He at once notified two neighbors, and a jury of inquest was held. The murdered men had evidently been knocked in the head with an axe while asleep. Their pockets were rifled, doubtless, after which their clothes were burnt and the bodies disfigured and mutilated in a most horrible manner.
The tracks of the wagons, two in number were followed to the bridge, where they took the direction of Waco. When followed a few miles, the wagons and teams were found, deserted and alone on the prairie. Capt. J. B. Dak immediately sent word to Hillsboro, and Mr. G. Baseman with a few men went out and got them and brought them into town, and turned them over to the Sheriff.
J. K. Harrington, and some of the citizens in the vicinity where the murder was perpetrated, started in pursuit of the murderers, in the direction of Waco, hoping to capture them; we have heard nothing, as yet, of the result. A trunk or valise was found in one of the wagons marked "J. D. Steen, San Antonio, Texas," and other articles marked "Brock & Co., San Antonio, Texas." Several marks of Mexican brand were found, showing that Mexicans were in the train; also a Kansas paper was found. The wagons were from the direction of Kansas, and traveling toward Waco. The supposition is that they were cattle dealers returning from Kansas to San Antonio, and that they were murdered for their money by the Mexicans who were with them. Every effort is being made by the people of Hill county to bring the perpetrators of this horrible crime to justice.

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Denison Daily News. Vol V-286 p. 1 – 1 Feb 1878 –GEORGE HARRIS. – Is Brought to Austin by Sheriff Cox, of Hill County. – One evening last week a man calling himself "Jones" walked up to a farm house near Hillsboro, the county seat of Hill county, and asked for a night's lodging, which was furnished him, as he looked tired and worn out. In conversation he stated that he had been followed across the prairies and had lost his horse. Next morning "Jones" went to fields with the hands and assisted them in picking cotton. He paid five dollars to the farmer to go out and find his horse. He stayed in the field all day, and when evening arrived refused to go to the house, but asked the farmer to bring him something to eat. The suspicions of the farmer were aroused, and he called in a deputy sheriff, who arrested "Jones" as a suspicious character and took him to Sheriff Cox, of Hill county. A crowd collected, among which was a Jew. This Jew seemed to disturb "Jones," and he asked Cox if the "man was not a Jew?" Cox replied in the affirmative, and immediately accused "Jones" of going under a false name, and of being "George Harris, the murder of Olenick, of Austin." This he denied, but after some time he "owned up" and asked for protection. Cox brought him to Austin and landed him in jail this morning. The reward offered by the Governor was paid and the one offered by the citizens will be paid this afternoon.

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Texas Sifts, V-5; 8; 5 – Sat. Jun.27, 1885 – It is enough to put the blush of shame upon the face of every law abiding citizen of Texas to know that Tom Varnell, the murderer of o'd man Land, in Hill County, two years ago, is still at large. He has been, to use a Texas expression, "hid out" in Hill and adjoining counties ever since the murder, and if any attempt has been made to arrest him it resulted in a failure until a day or two ago, when was arrested in Bosque County, but only to add another murder to his record. He was searched and two pistols were taken from him; as the deputy was mounting his horse, Varnell drew another pistol and killed the deputy. Varnell was wounded and it is thought he will certainly be captured. He ought to have been arrested long ago if it took every militia company in the state to do it. Varnell by his own act has become an out law and is entitled to no more consideration than a wild beast or a mad dog. Brenham Banner.

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Dallas Morning News p. 3 – Tues. Jan. 5, 1887 – HILL COUNTY – Hillsboro, Tex., Jan. 4. – Who wants R. E. L. Grigsby, about 28 years old, 5 feet 10 inches high, weight 135 or 140 pounds, light complexion, long light mustache. He has been running a shooting gallery. Has been in several towns running the gallery; he had on his person a gold filled watch, Cornell case, case No. 2760337, Elgin works. I hold him on a misdemeanor warrant. Tom Bell, sheriff Hill County.

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Dallas Morning News p. 2 – 7 Jun 1887 – Fence Cutting in Hill County. – Hillsboro, Tex., June 9, Saturday night the farm and pasture fences of Messrs. Roland, Gay, Stokers and others, residing about five miles northeast of this city, were cut. Sheriff Cox has been working the matter, and news has just reached here of the arrest of two alleged depredators. The parties apprehended are Herring, said to be from Palo Pinto County, and a man named Hyart. The former is said to have "preached" implicating several parties residing in that neighborhood. Fence cutting has been going on in that section for some time, and as the citizens are considerably worked up over the matter, it is safe to say that they will be vigorously prosecuted.

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St. Louis Post Dispatch --September 10 1889 – Killed By His 7 Year Old Son. --Hillsboro, September 10. – Slim FOSTER, living a few miles north of here, was shot and killed by his 7 year old son. FOSTER came home drunk and knocked his wife down with a chair. The child thinking his mother was killed picked up a shot-gun and killed his father.

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Dallas Morning News p. 7 --11 Feb 1892 – Court Notes–Scalps in Hill County. Hillsboro, Tex., Feb. 10.– Deputy Sheriff W. T. Moore of Whitney came in to-day with Dock Lewis, who is charged with theft in the county court.

Hill county has to date paid for twelve jack rabbit scalps and seven wolf scalps.

The Middlesex banking company has filed suit in the district court against P. M. Scott, L. M. Frier and J. F. McKay. The suit is brought on a note for $2500 and interest and for the foreclosure of a lien on 205 acres of land, which the plaintiffs sequestrate by filing bond in the sum of $7000, with N. A. McMillian and John Simpson of Dallas as sureties.

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Butte Weekly Miner {Butte, Mt.} Vol-XVIII-31-p. 6 – Thurs. July 30, 1896 – WANTED IN TEXAS. – Sheriff of Hill County After a Deer Lodge Convict. – Special to the Miner. Deer Lodge, Mont., July 24. – Sheriff Bell of Hill county, Texas, arrived in Deer Lodge to-day and visited the penitentiary, where he identified an inmate as Jule Bolt, alias Frank McGerron, wanted in his county for the murder of a Spaniard, nine years ago. Sheriff Bell took the evening train to Helena to interview the governor with reference to taking Bolt back to Texas, as he is to be released here in a day or two. Bolt was sent here from Billings for a term of one year for assault with intent to commit murder. We are told that Bolt is willing to return to Texas without any formalities.

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Dallas Morning News.- 11 Feb 1898 - TRAGEDIES IN HILL COUNTY. – Woman and Child Burned to Death– A Convict Killed While Trying to Make His Escape.

Hillsboro, Hill Co. Tex., Oct. 3 – Saturday evening and yesterday were perhaps the most remarkable ever known in this county for killing and serious accidents.

Willis Russell was caught in a band at Stevens' cotton gin near Osceola and his leg was broken, his arm lacerated and he received internal injuries. He died yesterday.

Henry Harder and A. R. Fuller jumped out of wagons at Itasca dn their legs were broken.

At Brigman's gin a county negro convict named Clarke Crayton in attempting to escape was shot through the heart. He snatched the guard's pistol and ran. The guard seized a winchester and, failing to overtake him, fired and killed him at 200 yards.

Two negroes had a fight near Brandon. One of them received three serious cuts and one who tried to be peacemaker was cut in the hand.

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Dallas Morning News, p. 4. – Tues. Oct. 4, 1898 – TRAGEDIES IN HILL COUNTY. – Woman and Child Burned in Death – A Convict Killed While Trying to Make His Escape. – Hillsboro, Hill Co. Tex., Oct. 3 – Saturday evening and yesterday were perhaps the most remarkable ever known in this county for killing and serious accidents.

Yesterday evening Mrs. Jim Head tried to kindle a fire with kerosene. She and her 2-year old daughter were burned to death. Mr. Head got his hands badly burned trying to put out the fire. The house caught fire, but was extinguished.

At Brigham's gin a county negro convict named Clarke Crayton in attempting to escape was shot through the heart. He snatched the guard's pistol and ran. The guard seized a Winchester and, failing to overtake him, fired and killed him at 200 yards.

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Dallas Morning News –p. 8 –11 May 1900 – HILL COUNTY. – Hillsboro, Tex., May 3.–Lum Westbrook escaped May 8. He was convicted in Navarro County, Texas, term five years, April 23, 1896. Hair light, eyes blue, complexion light, age 21 years, height 5 feet 3 inches, weight 129 pounds; crime, horse theft; residence Frost, Navarro County, native of Georgia; has mole on left collarbone, scar on left thigh, small scar on calf of right leg, scar across right toe, scare on left instep of right ankle, scar on right cheek, wears No. 7 shoes. Left at 4 p.m. May 8- had on black hat, striped shirt, $3 pair of shoes, black pants with white dot, riding dun pony, 14 hands high, deep dent above left, eye streak in forehead, left front foot __ __cut by wire, three-fourths rigged ___ made by Padgitt, Waco, Tex. Escaped from Steiner Valley farm. All officers look out for him and arrest him. Address Tom Belt, Sheriff Hill County.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. V-23-2 – Sat. Nov. 10, 1900 – STOLEN HORSES RECOVERED – Deputy Sheriff Porter Brings a Prisoner from Hill County. – Deputy Sheriff Bruce Porter effected the capture of a man charged with horse theft yesterday afternoon. The arrest was made at Itasca, Hill county. The horse was recovered and the prisoner, Dick Earl, was brought to Fort Worth and lodged in jail last night.

The horse was taken from the premises of E. R. Griffith, living seven miles northwest of Fort Worth, on Wednesday night. Information was given the sheriff's office on Thursday, Deputy Porter got on the trail of the horse at once, followed the horse and rider to Itasca and made the arrest.

It was a quick and creditable performance of a public duty.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. V-196-1-7 – Sun. Jun. 2, 1901 – THE HILL COUNTY SHERIFF – A Killing Reported to Have Occurred Near Itaska – "Waco Kid" Confident of Bond. – Sheriff Satterfield of Hill county departed yesterday morning for Hillsboro, taking with him "Waco Kid." When the "Kid" left the police station yesterday morning in company with the sheriff he remarked that he was glad they were to go on an early train, as he would thus be able to double back on an evening train, and his manner toward the officers was in the nature of a merry ha-ha. When they boarded the train Sheriff Satterfield provided against any chance of escape by handcuffing the prisoner to himself.

Before leaving Fort Worth the sheriff received a message from Itaska that a difficulty had occurred a few miles out of Itaska, in which a man named Tatum had killed a man by shooting him with a double-barrelled shotgun. He was asked to stop off at Itaska and investigate. Tatum's friends had sent word that Tatum was in hiding, but would surrender to the sheriff, seeking his protection from the friends of the man whom he had killed.
Arriving at Itaska the sheriff handcuffed "Waco Kid" to a deputy (two of whom in the meantime had come to Itaska) and sent him on to Hillsboro while he, the sheriff and the other deputy went in search of Tatum, found him and later proceeded to Hillsboro with their prisoner.

The man arrested in Waco, charged with being connected with the $790 job for which "Waco Kid" was arrested, was brought to Hillsboro, but it is learned he could not be positively identified.

It was learned here last night that two attorneys and a well known gambler from Fort Worth would go to Hillsboro tomorrow morning to defend "Waco Kid," and make an effort to furnish him bond.

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Fort Worth Morning Register, Vol. 312 - 1; Fri. Sept 27, 1901 - NOT HIS FATHER – Anxiety of Revenue Agent Jameson Over a Suicide in Hill County. – Special to the Register. – Austin, Sept. 26. – The dispatches sent out from Hillsboro yesterday to the effect that the W. F. Jameson, who committed suicide near Vaughan, in Hill county, was the father of State Revenue Agent Joe Lee Jameson, was an error. Mr. Jameson's father W. F. Jameson, is a farmer living near Abbott, in Hill county, and is not a relative of deceased.

By a strange coincidence the man who committed suicide bears exactly the same name as Mr. Jameson's father, was also about the same age and answered the same age and answered the same general description. When Revenue Agent Jameson red the report this morning he was very much exercised and at once phoned to the sheriff of Hill county to ascertain the truth. The sheriff stated positively that the man who had committed suicide was the father of Mr. Jameson, and gave an accurate description of the deceased, which tallied with Mr. Jameson's father. Even the coroner who held the inquest believed that the suicide was Revenue Agent Jameson's father. It is not until Mr. Jameson got direct word from the home of his parents that he became satisfied that it was not his father who had committed the rash act.

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Dallas Morning News p. 6 – Sat. Nov. 22, 1902 – HILL COUNTY CONVICTS – Special to The News. – Hillsboro, Tex., Nov. 21 – Contractor Luther took the following Hill County convicts to the Dallas State farm last night: J. W. Whittle, who gets seven years for forgery and two for embezzlement; D. Edmond, two years for forgery; Jim Padgitt, two years for burglary, and Tom Stanfield, who gets two years for cattle theft.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. XXI-167-1 – Sat. Dec. 17 1904 – SAFE BLOWERS AT WORK – Two Vaults Cracked in Hill County Friday Night – Waco, Texas, Dec. 17 – Two safes were blown open at Aquilla, Hill county, last night. The robbers _____ get into the inner recesses, and ____ no money.
The safes were in ____ of Spivy and Williams and M. E. __ . The Sheriff
of Hill county is investigating. One report says a good deal of money was
secured.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. XXII-108-1 – Tues. Oct. 17, 1905 – FARMER BADLY WOUNDED; SON AND WORKMAN HELD. –Hill County Sheriff Makes Two Arrests Following Shooting Near Iverson. – Special to the Telegram. – HILLSBORO, Texas, Oct. 17 – Lem Leary, who was shot and dangerously wounded in a difficulty which occurred on his farm near Iverson, in the northern portion of this county yesterday morning, was alive at noon today, though there is little hope of his recovery. Sheriff Satterfield, who went to the scene as soon as learned of the occurrence, returned about 9 o'clock last night, having in custody Ed Leary, a son of the wounded man and Budd Messick, who worked on the farm, against both of whom complaints were lodged. They are still in jail. Lem Leary received two wounds from a 22-caliber Smith & Wesson, one ball striking on the foot and the other entering his head near left temple and lodging at the base of his brain. He had a double-barrel shotgun but denies having used it, though the other two state that he did. He says both shot him. The difficulty arose from objections of Lem Leary to Messick working on the farm. He had ordered him away previously and yesterday went to the field with his gun and repeated the order. Messick refused to go and the shooting began, seven shots being fired in all. Messick denies that young Leary did shooting. The family is one of the oldest and best known in the county. Lem Leary and his wife have been separated about two years.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. XX-249-4 – Sun. April 28, 1907 – CHARGE DOCTOR WITH BIGAMY – J. A. Evans, M. D., of Abbott, Hill County, Arrested – Special to the Telegram. – Hillsboro, Texas, April 27 – Dr. J. A. Evans, ten miles south of here on the Missouri Kansas and Texas railroad, was arrested yesterday afternoon by Deputy Sheriff Joe M. Corridan of this place, on a warrant based on a grand jury indictment in Ellis county, charging him with bigamy.

Officer J. B. Forbes of Waxahachie, conveyed the prisoner to that place last night.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. XXVIII-219 - 1 –Fri. Aug 26, 1910 – RELEASED ON BOND – Arthur Redman is Charged with Murder of Hill County Farmer. – WAXAHACHIE, Texas, Aug. 26 – Arthur Redman, a young man who has been confined in jail for three years and three months on a charge of murder, was release this morning on bond of $10,000. The bond was signed by thirteen citizens of Goliad county, the home of the defendant. The case came here from Hill county on a change of venue. Redman is accused of shooting and killing J. C. Roberson of Hill county, a farmer, three years ago last spring.

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Albuquerque Morning Journal {N.M.} – 14 Aug 1910 -- Hospital Attendants Killed --Hillsboro: At Abbott, ten miles south of here today, P H Firmin, a member of Battery A Texas national guard, shot and killed A B Puckett and C L Williams of the hospital corps. Firmin and his brother, also a member of Battery A were arrested.

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Cleburne Morning Review, p. 7 – Sat. June 8, 1912 – DR. A. J. MENEFEE CASE REVERSED – Hill County Case Reversed and Remanded. – ERROR IN THE CHARGE – Some Facts Concerning the Case – Judge Poindexter Represents the Defendant.

Mention was made in this paper of the fact that the case of Dr. A. J. Menefee appealed from Hill county had been reversed and remanded by the Court of Criminal Appeals at Austin. Dr. Menefee was indicted in Hill county in September, 1911, charged with the murder of Frank Glasgow, and was tried and convicted at that term of court, his punishment in the penitentiary for life. The case was submitted to the court of criminal appeals last January by his Attorneys, Judge Poindexter, Judge Morrow, and was decided last Wednesday. From reports in the daily papers it appears that the case was reversed upon several points, chiefly because of errors in the charge of the court. The defendant was accused of acting with Jim Fox in the commission of the offense, it being admitted that Fox did the shooting and it was claimed that Dr. Menefee was present and aided Fox in the killing. After the trial of Dr. Menefee the court of its own motion changed the venue in the Fox case to Waco where he was tried by the same Judge. On the trial at Waco Fox testified that he hunted up Glasgow to demand an explanation or retraction of reports he claimed Glasgow had circulated concerning his, Fox's wife, and that when he, met Glasgow the latter attempted to draw his pistol and Fox shot and killed him and that Dr. Menefee was not present and had nothing to do with it. On the trial of Menefee the court charged the jury on murder in the first degree only and left the jury no alternative in the first degree or not guilty. In the Fox trial the court submitted to the jury not only murder in the first degree, but murder in the second degree, manslaughter and self-defense as well. The fury found Fox guilty of manslaughter and assessed his punishment at confinement in the penitentiary for 5 years. So the anomaly was presented of the principal offender, the admitted slayer, being convicted of murder in the first degree. This might well be accounted for on the theory that the same charge was not given in both cases, though the evidence was substantially the same in both. The only difference being the in one case it was circumstantial while in the other it was positive. The Court of Criminal Appeals holds that the trial Judge committed error in not submitting in the Menefee case the law of murder of the second degree, the law of manslaughter, the law of the subject of both principals and of accomplices and also that the judge erred in allowing certain evidence to go to the jury. The court of criminal appeals holds that there was no evidence showing that Dr. Menefee was present at the time and place of the homicide.
Dr. A. J. Menefee was a long resident of Johnson county and has many relatives of high standing in this county and his friends here are numbered by the hundreds, all of whom believe strongly in his innocence and final vindication. To them the successful termination of this appeal must be gratifying in the extreme as it points to a favorable termination of the case.

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Fort Worth Star Telegram, Vol. XXXIV-215-6 – Sun. Aug. 23, 1914 -- AUTO, BLOCK OFF, STARTS RUNAWAY – Hill County Farmer Thrown From Wagon but Escapes Serious Injury. – Leo Rape, Hill county farmer, narrowly escaped death Saturday afternoon when his team ran away at Ninth and Throckmorton streets and dashed into a curb, throwing him headlong to the pavement. He struck upon his back and bounced to his feet uninjured except for minor bruises.

Firemen from central station ran across the street and quieted the horses. They have been frightened by an automobile a block from the scene of the collision.

Rape's wife and his father-in-law, A. Fields, who were in the wagon with him were unhurt. The party is traveling from Blum, Texas to Hall county.

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Fort Worth Star-Telegram – January 30 1915 – Old Feud Leads to Tragedy. --
Fort Worth, TX – Hillsboro, Texas, Jan. 29.--Dr. A. C. SAYLORS, who was stabbed and seriously wounded early in December by Joe KIRKPATRICK when he was leaving the latter's home today, in a pistol duel at Bynum, shot and killed KIRKPATRICK after having received a pistol ball through his hat. Dr. SAYLORS, druggist and practicing physician, had returned last night from East Texas, where he had been recuperating. The men met for the first time this morning.

Eye-witnesses, according to a long-distance message, are in doubt as to who fired first. KIRKPATRICK had stepped to the sidewalk from his restaurant and Dr. SAYLORS fired through the door of his drug store. KIRKPATRICK fired three times. Dr. SAYLORS is said to have emptied his revolver, his victim being struck several times and one bullet penetrating the heart.

No word was spoken as the two men drew their revolvers. Domestic troubles are alleged to have been the cause of the first difficulty. KIRKPATRICK leaves a widow and four children.

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Anaconda Standard {Anaconda, Mt.} Vol. XXX-249-2 – Sat. May 10, 1919 – HILL COUNTY JURY FREES WOMAN MURDER CHARGE. – Trial of Bessie Burt at Great Falls Results in Acquital Verdict. – Special Dispatch to the Standard. – Great Falls, May 9 – After having been out four hours the jury in the district court of Hill county, which heard the evidence in the case against Bessie Burt charged with the murder of Bernie Wilber in her candy store in this story on the night of April 10, brought in a verdict of not guilty.

After two days endeavor to obtain a jury, taking testimony was begun last evening and was completed early this afternoon after the defendant had been placed on the stand and had told a story of a struggle for the possession of a gun she had just purchased, claiming the gun was accidentally discharged. The men went to the jury at 4 p. m. and a verdict reported at 8 o'clock.

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1920 Dallas Morning News - ARREST SHERIFF FRAUD IS CHARGED – McLain of Hill County Indicted. Bond of $1,000. – Sheriff Mat McLain of Hill county has been arrested by the United States Marshall, Joseph Asbridge, on a charge of defrauding the federal goverenment. His bond was fixed at $1,000. Sheriff McLain was taken into custody at the federal building in Butte when he appeared to answer a habeas corpus writ in the case of Alf Oftedal, prohibition enforcement officer, for whom a warrant had been issued out of a Havre Justice court because Oftedal, in making a raid on a Havre saloon, had punched C. W. Young, proprietor of the Montana hotel, in the nose. The sheriff arrested Oftedal, released him on the writ, and was then himself arrested on a federal indictment.

McLain was indicted at the last session of the federal grand jury on a charge of defrauding the federal government. He is also charged with contempt of court. Marshall Asbridge allowed McLain to return to Havre to procure bonds. He will answer to the habeas corpus writ, the charge of defrauding the government and the charge of contempt of court next Tuesday.

The indictment charges that McLain received into his custody a federal prisoner named "Fritz Pierson," who was sentenced to 75 days in the Hill county jail. The indictment charges that in July McLain Collected from Marshal Asbridge the sum of $39 for Pierson's keep up to that time, a total of 62 days at 75 cents a day. The indictment charges that Pierson was not confined in the jail, as ordered by the court but was frequently absent for two days at a time and that McLain, in certifying his board bill to the United States marshal, knew that he was not entitled to the money and that his statement was "false and fraudulent."

The contempt charge arises from his alleged disregard of the sentence of imprisonment in the Pierson case in allowing the man to go out to work. The McLain indictment has not been made public. A warrant had been issued and was sent to the United States deputy at Harvre. It arrived after McLain had started for Butte to arrest Oftedal. The deputy marshal wired to ask if the warrant should be forwarded to Butte for service. Marshal Asbridge dispensed with this formality and merely notified McLain that he was under arrest. The sheriff made no protest and his bond was fixed at $1,000 which he agreed to furnish Tuesday.

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