Stock Growers National Bank (Miles City, MT)

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The Stockgrowers Bank Closes

Shortly after noon to-day the Stockgrowers bank of this city closed its doors. this action being forced by a quiet but continuous run that the bank has had to meet for more than a week past. This morning the bank opened with enough cash on hand to meet even the average daily demand of the past week and still have a comfortable sum left. but the idea seemed to have gained possession of the depositors. that their money was safer in their own hands. and the demand for payment was so much larger during the forenoon than at any time previous, that in the opinion of the officers of the bank here present, there was nothing to do but to close the doors and await instructions from the Comptroller of the Currency, who was telegraphed of the situation at once. It is scarcely necessary to say that the bank is in sound financial condition and that no one will lose anything by the suspension. An inability to realize on assets that are gilt-edged operated here as elsewhere in forcing a suspension. The utmost contidence in an early resumption is expressed by the officers and directors of the bank. The notice posted on the doors of the bank reads as follows:

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NOTICE

"The Stock Growers Bank, on account of the stringency of the money market and owing to the heavy drafts on its deposits. and the inability to make a corresponding reduction in outstanding loans. is compelled to suspend business. "The assets of the bank are amply sufficient to pay all depositors. but it is impossible to command the necessary funds to continue payments at present. "E. E. BATCHELOR, Cashier."

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Bodifield, the treasurer and general manager, was made receiver. The assets are $ 1000 and liabilities $37,000.1 EAU CLAIRE. Wis.. July 29.-The Com mercial Bank, capital $50,000. did not open this morning. having been placed in the hands of Bryon A. Buffington, as receiver: F.C. Allen. the president. said: "Depositors will not lose is dollar." There were light runson other banks. HAMILTON, O., July 29.-The Macneale & Urban Safe and Lock Company. one of the oldest safe firms in the country. has assigned to Howard Douglass, of Cincinnati. Assets, $160,000; liabilities unknown. PATERSON, N. J.. July 29.-The Beatty Carpet Manufacturing Company. at Little Falls, employing three hundred men. closed down to-day for an indefinite period. BETHLEHEM, Pa., July 29.-The Bethlehem Iron Company's steel mill will resume operations in full blast ou Monday next, after an idleness of a month. NORTHBORO, Mass., July 29.-All of the shell and horn goods manufactories are closed on account of the state of trade. BUFFALO. N. Y., July 28.-The Barber Asphalt Company have discharged one hundred men because of dull times. MILES CITY, Mont., July 29.-The Stockgrowers' National Bank closed to-day.

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STOCKGROWERS BANK

Temporarily Suspends on Account of Money Stringency. Special to The Independent. MILES CITY, July 29.-At noon to-day no. tice was posted on the doors of the Stock. growers bank that the bank was obliged to temporarily suspend on account of the money stringency, but all depositors will be paid in full. The First National kept its doors open all day and some depositors, principally women, made a little run on it after the elosing of the Stockgrowers. After banking hours a meeting of business men was held at the Miles City olub to consider the course of action proposed by the First Ns. tional, which was to pay all demands for legitimate purposes, but to refuse payment when it was evident that the demand was made for the purpose of holding the money. The resolution was approved and imme. diately adopted. A paper has been signed by the officers and directors of the bank, W. B. Jordan, Goo. Miles, Jno. Carter, Frank Robertson. Henry Tusler, and J. W. Strevel, guaranteeing personally and individually, if patience and common sense be exercised, that no depositor shall lose n sent.

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The Closing of Banks

Thursday of last week will be a memorable day in the history of Monrana, particularly of Helena. It was a day of gloom and excitement in the capital city. While trouble was anticipated in the banks, the extent of the run and the result could not be determined in advance. and when the erisis came there were many surprises to people in all parts of the state. The telephone messages came into the Lewistown office thick and fast Friday morning, bring ing news not only from Helena, but from other cities and towns in the state. Following is a list of banks, firms and individuals that have temporairily closed their doors or made assignments in the past week or ten days: First National and Montana National banks of Helena. First National and Merchants National banks of Great Falls, Gallatin Valley National and First National banks of Bozeman, First National and Park National banks of Livingston. First National bank of Red Lodge. Great Falls Iron Works Butte & Montana Mercantile Co. of Great Falls Paynter Drug Co., and Chas. W. Cannon, A. M. Holter, S. C. Ashby and The Electric Light & Power Co., of Helena; Stockgrowers Bank of Miles City.

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Receiver Appointed

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-Comptroller Eckels today appointed E. W. Knight Jr. receiver of the Stock Growers' National bank, Miles City, Montana.

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Montana Bank Receiver

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-Comptroller Eckles today appointed E. W. Knight, jr., receiver of the Stock Growers' National bank of Miles City, Montana. -

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A Montana Bank Receiver

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9.-Comptroller Eckles today appointed E. W. Knight, jr., receiver of the Stock Growers' Na. tional bank of Miles City, Montapa.

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Money Matters at Miles

Special to The Independent. MILES CITY, Aug. 15.-The city council has made the tax levy on city property for the current fiscal year eight mills on the dollar of valuation fixed by the county board of equalization. City Treasurer Allertion had the municipal funds in the suspended Stockgrowers bank. the city balance being about $1,400. W. F. Batchelor. president of the Stook. growers bank, Col. George Scheetz, one of the stockholders, and Sydney Paget, heavy depositor therein. were Mr. Allerton's bondemen. A motion was agreed to at last night's meeting of the council that Treasurer Allerton furnish is new bond for $8,000, the liability of the old bondsmen for tue sum tied up in the Stockgrowers bank not being vacated. Goo. Burmiston, County Treasurer Savage's deputy, has been employed by Receiver Knight as an expert accountant to aid in straightening out the accounts of the Stockgrowers bank.

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PRESENT

W. S. Snell. Chairman of Board. W. N. Haynes, Member of Board. T. J. Graham. Member of Board. J. B. Hawkins. Sheriff. A. H. Swerdtiger, Clerk of Board. The Sheriff duly announced the meeting. The following resolution was offered by Mr. Snell. who moved its adoption: Whereas, It has come to the knowledge of the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Custer. that the Stock Growers National Bank of Miles City, Montana. has suspended and is now in the hands of E. W. Knight. Jr.. bank examiner. and knowing that the said Bank has for a long time been the depository for the County funds: now. therefore be it Resolved. That the County Treasurer of the County of Custer be. and he IS hereby requested to deliver forthwith all the books of his office. together with all funds and moneys in his possession by virtue of his office of County Treasurer to the Board of County Commissioners of Cnster County. for inspection and a count of the funds: and further. that the County Treasurer be furnished with a copy of this resolution. Adopted. The Board now took a recess until 2 o'clock p. m. Office of the County Clerk. 2 o'clock p. m.-The Board re-convened as per recess taken, all members present. The Board now proceeded to the Treasurer's office and made an examination of the books and funds in his office. Said examination disclosed that on this date there is a cash balance due the County. as shown by the books. which we accept as correct. of 853,160.08. Upon further examination we find the funds composed of the following items. viz:

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M LES CITY NEWS

Change of Officers-The Electric Light and Water Company. Special to the Independent. MILES CITY, Aug. 24.--The resignation of H. F. Bachelor, president of the suspended : tookgrowers bank. AB secratary. treasurer and trusted of the water and electric light company, has been aco pted. Attorney J. E. Light was elected trustee and J. B. Colline sec stary and treasurer. The company is on a paying basis but is short of ready oash, on account of the tying up of the city funds in the Stockgrowe N bank and the general scarcity of money. Mayor Rvan was appointed by the city council as a committee to inquire into the condition and probable va'ue of the company's plant. with n view to its purchase by the city at some future time. City Trensu er Allerton has furnished the new bond required from him, for *8, 000, which has been accepted. with G. M. Kirwan, Sydney Paget and George Scheetz BR anreties. The county fun 8 in the Stockgrowers bank amount to $52,800, and the county attorney has been directed by n resolution of the county commissioners to bring suit against the treasurer and such bondemen as fail to 81 pear before the board and give satisfactory security. Eight of the running horses from Anaconda have arrived he 0 to remain for the fall race meeting which takes place the first week in September.

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A Beneficial Change

Receiver Knight of the Stock Growers bank has permission from the comptroller of the currency, to make the remittances by New York draft. thus retaining the circulating medium in this locality. instead of locking it up in Washington. as the rule in such cases, generally is.

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Acting Receiver Harmon of the Stock Growers National bank bas been instructed by the comptroller of the currency to pay a dividend of ten per cent to the creditors of the bank. The same will be payable as soon as the necessary schedules can be prepared and returned from Washington.

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Dividend No

2 Now Payable. United States treasurer fchecks in payment of 10 per cent. of claims proved by the creditors of the Stock Growers National bank of Miles City, Mont., may now be obtained at the office of the reseiver upon pr tation of the receivers certificate of proof ofalaim. E. W. KNIGHT, Jr. Receiver.

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THE BATCHELOR TRIAL Further Testimony as to the Business of the Stockgrowers' Bank. The trial of H. F. Batchelor, of the sus. pended Stockgrowere' bank of Miles City, was continued yesterday in the United States court. Bookkeeper Harman was on the stand all day. He told from reference to the books of the various note transnotions through which different parties and corporations were enabled to incar indebtedness to the bank. Judge Knowles decided to admit the letters bearing on the Billings stock transaction, and they were read.

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Dividend No

2 Now Payable. United States treasurer Ichecks "in payment of 10 per cent. of claims proved by the creditors of the Stock Growers National bank of Miles City, Month, may new be obtained stained at the office of of the receiver upon presentation of the receivers certificate of proof of claim. E. W. KNIGHT, Jr. Receiver.

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THE BATCHELOR CASE.

Continuation of the Testimony on Behalf of the Prosecution.

The trial of H. F. Batche'or, president of the Stockgrowers' National bank of Miles City, moved along quite briskly in the United States court yesterday. The cross-examination of Bookkeeper Harman occupied the morning. Witness admitted that though the books showed the notes of July 5 were entered long after their date, that the transaction might in fact all have taken place on that date and the notes dated back. He was examined concerning the finding of the lette file of defendant's, for the purpose of demonstrating it was in no concealed place. As to the Logan notes he testined that the original notes were always kept with the memorandum notes; that the second set of notes consisted of the amount of the original notes and interest, and the third note consisted of the amount of the second note and interest, and that the original notes never left the pocket of the bank. He was asked if he did not know that a note had been sent to Major Logan for execution and returned, but disclaimed any knowledge of any such transaction. A similar examination was conducted as to the Barleigh note. Witness testified that something over $7,000 of Newman notes hau been included in the H. F. Batchelor indebtedness. Of the paper on which C. L. Me rill was endorser some was secured by chattel mortgage, some was commerci paper discounted, and some was endorsed by third parties. Of the defendant's total indebtedness, $10.626.27 represented interest upon his indebtedness since Aug. 2, 1886, and the defendant's indebtedness in his own name at the suspension of the bank was over $38,000, and that which stood in the name of his father was over $12.000. On redirect examination Witness Harmon gave a history of the indebtedness of the defendant to the banis from its beginning in August, 1886, down to Jan. 1, 1891, showing a steady increase during that period. The original draft transmitted for the cash payment on the Billings stock was identified and read in evidence.

Clerk and Recorder Swerdfiger, of Custer county, was then called and produced the assessments liste of the defendant, sworn to and in many instances in his own handwriting, from 1885 to 1893 inclusive, the first year amounting to something over $300, and the highest list of property during the tem being about $3,000. Witness also produced the assessment list of the bank from 1890 to 1893 inclusive, which showed that the stock was not assessed to the individuals but to the bank, and testified that the name of defendant's father did not appear on the assessment roils of that county. Witness also produced the annual state-ment, articles of incorporation, and assessment lists of the Water and Electrie Light company of Miles City for 1893, showing the value of its property to be about $11,-000, its debts about $45,000, and its capital stock pri in $19,000. The nasessments lists of C. L. Merrill for 1890, George Newman for 1891, 1892 and 1893 were also produced.

Witness Briggs was then called and testified that he was a representative of the Frederick Billings estate in Billings, and produced and identified three stock certificates of fifty shares each and two notes signed by defendant, each for $6,000. Each, he said, was the property of tue estate and held by him as such; that the stock certificates were collateral to the notes. He also identified a couple of deposit slips and a letter or receipt written in New York, all of which papers were proven subsequently to have been in the handwriting of the defendant.

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SOON WITH THE JURORS

The Batchelor Trial Drawing to a Close in the United States Court. All the Evidence in the Case Was Completed on Friday. The Opening Argument for the Prosecution Is Begun by Assistant District Attorney Wallace. The trial of H. F. Batchelor for misusing funds of the Stockgrowers' National bank of Miles City, while its president, is nearly over in the United States court, and the case will very likely go the jury to day. The 0 088 examination of the defendant was completed yesterday morning, and then C. R. Middleton, one of the directors of the bank, took the stand. He insisted that the board of di ectors knew of the purchase of the Stebbins stock by defendant. On cross examination he was unable to fix any dates of formal or informal meetings of the board, but he knew the subject had been discussed a dozen times. Before Batchelor went east he was given to understand by the directors that the purchase of the Stebbins stock would be to the interest of the bank. ce-President Harmon, of the bank. was recalled by the defense. He told the story of the time when the bank deposits fell off on account of Stebbins' connection with it. Witness walked into the bank one day and asked Batchelor how he was getting along. Batchelor told him the funds of the bank were getting quite low, and owing to the failure of the Deadwood bank the Stockgrowers' was threatened with a run. While they were talking Judge Bach came in and demanded the county funds. some $13,000, on deposit there. Batchelor referred him to witness, who stepped into the vault with Batchelor. There witness asked Batchelor how much money there was in the bank. Batchelor said the money only amounted to about $1,800. Witness asked Judge Bach what he meant to do with the funds and was told he meant to take them to Helena. "Then," said the witness. "I made & bluff. I gave Judge Bach a draft on the Bank of Commerce of Minneapolis, and took a train right away for that city, and arranged for a oredi & to meet the draft." Witness said that by reason of this and other troubles caused by Steb bins' connection with the bank the feeling was that they should get the Stebbins stock One day Batchelor came in and said he was going to get the Stebbins stock. Witness asked him how. Batchelor eplied that he would give his notes. In consideration of what he had done in the matter of getting the Stebbins stock, Batchelor thought he ought to be made president of the bank. Witness voted for Batchelor for president himself on that account. Witness was asked if he had been told that Batchelor paid for the Stebbins stock with the bank's money. He replied that he had never been sold so. He knew that Batchelor was bor owing money from the bank, and he drew his own inferences. George Sheetz was recalled and testified to the value of the electric light stock In his judgment the plant was worth $50.000 It was never encumbered until just before the suspension of the bank he plant ought to be run on $7,000 a year and the income ought to be $12,000 or $13,000 E. H. Johnson was called by the prosecu. tion. He said that when he bought his stock in the bank Batchelor had told him that the concern would be dec 8 ing div dends in the fellowing June. After he became a director he was away most of the time, but not continuously. He had no knowledge of the discount committee being called to meet at any time and never attended any of their meetings. He never knew of any occasion for attending the meetings. After the bank failed be asked Batchelor for a list of the assets. Batchelor sHil he couldn't give it to him as the books were in the hands of the examiner and he bad no A00088 to them. Witness told Batcheler he ought to be better posted on the condition of affairs. The defense them put on a number of witnesses as to the reputation of the defendant in Miles City. They were D. A. Cory, A. J. Seligman, Col. James Sullivan. Richard Lockey. J. W. Kins E. H. Johnson, E. B. Weirick, T. C. Bach, AI Smith and Capt. Harmon. They all testi fied to the fact that in Miles City defendant stood high and enjoyed unlimited confiMence and was regarded as one of the leading young men of eastern Montana. Tbis closed the testimony for both sides. William Wallace. Jr. began the opening argument for the prosecution during the afternoon He wished to be as fair to the defendant, he said, na he would be to any man accused of bighway robbery or any such offense. He fain would say, however, that in his opinion the offense charged against defendant was a R eater one than that committed by B highwayman. He had violated the trust and cont dence reposed in him by the community When a highwayman stopped a traveler and forced him to surrender his property, the traveler was the only one inconvenienced, and his financial condition might not be seriously impaired. The man charged with crime like that charged against defendant perpetrated crime which was not only far reaching in its effects, but affected a class of small depositors who had int usted their OR nings to the bank by reason of the supposed security affended rather than yield to the temptation of larger profits in the ordinary course of business, The fact Was that defendant had not and never had, during his connection with the bank, any assets except his house and fur niture, his stock in the Electric Light and Water company, and his stock in the bank At the time the bank failed defendant owed it $52,000, of which $40,000 was in his own name and $12,000 in the name of his father. To tuis must be added about $6,500 interest which he had failed to charge on his own notes, having only charged six per cent. when the current rate was twelve De: cent he $52 000 owed. plus the interest withheld, made nearly $60.000. which was about four firths of the entire capital stock of the bank. At the time of the suspension of the bank, accord. ing to his own testimon: defendent's total indebtedness, including that to Site bank, was about $90,000. It was in October, 1891. that defendant began using the funds of the banks, Mr. lace said, to pay for his own ventu ea From then on his connection with the bank was a se 108 of misappropriations and false entries. When he undertook to urchase the Stebbins stock he claimed to expect assistance om friends in Pattsburg and other places in the east, upon which assistance he relied to pay to the funds he had used; and he also OX pected to place portions of the stock with stockg owers hrouguout that section. If, when the notes given in this ansaction

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THE END OF IT NOT YET

All of Saturday Taken Up With Arguments in the Batchelor Case.

The Assistant District Attorney Finishes the Opening for the Prosecution.

Judge Strevelle Opens for the Defense and Makes an Eloquent Plea for His Client.

The entire session of the United States cout yesterday was taken up with the arguments in the case of H. F. Batchelor, of the Stockgrowers National bank of Miles City. The arguments were not concluded when court adjourned, but will probably end to-morrow, when the case will be given to the jury. Assistant District Attorney Wallece occupied the morning and part of the afternoon with his argument for the prosecution. He referred to the T. H. Logan notes as notes which never had any existence, and concerning which the books of the bank were made to state a lie. The entries in the books, he said, had been made with the expectation that Logan would sign the notes which had been given him. After the two notes had run their entire life, and there was no word from Logan, they were consolidated into one note, and an entry made in the bills receivable, as if Logan had made a new note. Yet Batchelor claimed there was no intent to deceive, because the paper itself would have shown that the entries were mere liss. No matter if any one was deceived, if the entry had a direct tendency to deceive it was a false entry and the person making it was criminally liable. The object of a bank examination was to show the world the exact condition of a bank. and the law in that res; oct was meant to prevent anyone making false entries which might tend to deceive those reading them. Batchelor claimed when he consolidated his own notes that it was to clear ne all his old paper. The reni motive, Mr. Wallace claimed, was to make it live paper, that it might appear as such in the report to the comptroller; to avoid the consequences of public reports and examinations; and that there might be no assessment of the capital stock to make up the deficiency. As to the election expense items there could be no verdict of guilty on thess counts, Mr. Wallace admitted, na, while there was reason to disguise their real meaning, there was no intention to deceive anybody connected with the bank. Clearer cases were nevor presented, Mr. Wallace contended, that the various note transactions. The opportunities for committing these wrongs were so many when one had charge of the books, that is was hard to prove them. But when proved guilty the punishment should be enforced to show that a trust must be faithfully guarded, and to warn others that banks cannot be wrecked at random. He had never heard of a case of embezzlement but that it had begun without intention of defrauding. Mr. Wallace found a motive in the purchases of the large blocks of stock. It was absolutely necessary, he said, that Batchelor should fortify himself against an investigation of the bank's affairs by securing control. He got the control and he would never have been exposed but for his continuous withdrawals of money and the hard times. If such a state of affairs as disclosed at the Stockgrowers bank was to be allowed to continue, all would have to admit that national baaks were not fit places to put money.

Judge J. W. Strenelle opanel the argument for the defense. He said the prosecution desired the defendant to stand is a scapegoat for all offenses committed under the national banking laws; to suffer for his own and every one else'a misdeeds. Tois happened to be the first case. Therefore they desired Batchelor made an example of. Only a few months ago there had passed over the world a financial panic such as the older mea among them had never seen befo e, and he hoved the younger men would never see again. Institutions to which empires ware anchored had been swept away as chaff before the wind. In that disaster the defendant and the institution with which he was connected had the misfortune to go down. Batchelor was now arraigned as though he was the vilest criminal known to the state of Montana. The prosecution chargel that Batchelor had started out with the idea of defrauding the bank. This was absointely false and not justified by the evidence in the case. "Say or do as von please," said Judge Streveile, "and believe as yon may, I believe this defend-and to have been honest and conscientions in his desire to serve the bank. It is easy to say he erred in judgment." No man should be dealt with severely for misfortunes. No one should be desirous of adding to the troubles of the defendant, or dragging him and his family down. "You may send him to the penitentiary if you will," continued Juige Strevelie. "But there is not a man, woman or child in Miles City but who will say Harry Batchetor intended to be honest. Not one of them has come here to say that Harry Batchelor had stolen their money. All know how much better is our hindaight than our foresight. You may send him to the penitentiary, but the misfortunes of man will go on and go on."

"The proseontion," Judge Strevelle said, "claimed there was no palliation for errors of judgment. A greater than any judge in this terrestial tribunal says that from the thoughts and the intents of his heart shall a maa be judged, so you are to consider whether the defendant went into the bank with the deliberate purpose of defrauding it, or whether you believe he made uniy anch errors as constituted errors of judgment. Under human and divine laws you -can judge only of the intent." Jadge Strevelle said he would not deny that Batchelor owed the bank about $53,000 at the time of the suspension, but he believed if the assete had been properly attended to since there would have been no reason why aman, woman or child should lose a cent. The receiver had left matters to take care of themselves, and the people had been kept out of their money, When it was docidad that it was best to get the Stebbins stock, defendant had said he would take it. Judge Streveile said he believed Batchelor in that had no other idea than to build up the bank. If ever a set of books showed an honest intent, those of the Stockgrowers bank did. If is was a crime to be in debt, many would be -in trouble. In conclusion Judge treveile dwelt on the fact that the directors had left to Batchelor the entire managemont of the bank. He made an eloquent appeal to the jury not to pat on a young man who had erred in judgment and not in intent the stigma that would follow a verdict of gulity.

Wholesale Agency, John B. Stetson & Co., Philadelphia.

Gordon & Ferguson, hate, straw goods and gloves, St. Paul, will be at The Hotel Helena Monday and Tuesday, April 23 and 24. Tributary trade invited in at my ex-

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Hood's Pills cure habitual constipation.

Notice of Receivership.

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, Public notice is hereby given, that the undersigned was on the 17th day of August, 1894, by an order of the district court in and for Custer county in the suit of Leo C. Harmon, as receiver of the Stock Growers National bank, of Miles City, Montana, laintiff vs. The Water & Electric Light company, a Corporation Defendant, duly appointed receiver of all the property of the said Water & Electric Light company mentioned in two mortgages annexed to the complaint of plaintiff in said action, for the purpose of taking possession of said property and continuing the business of defendant during the pendency of the said foreclosure suit and collecting the revenue and paying the running expenses of said defendant; and the undersigned has entered upon the discharge of his duties as such receiver, and the business and operation of the said defendants Water & Electric Light plant is under the management and control of the undersigned as such receiver, to whom all payments for water and light furnished by the said Water & Electric Light company must be made, and with whom all business concerning the same is to be transacted.

The office of the undersigned is located in the rear of the Stock Growers National bank building, Miles City, Montana.

J. B. COLLINS, Receiver of the Water & Electric Light Co. Dated August 21st, 1894. First publication, August 23, 1894.

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Notice of Receivership

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, Public notice is hereby given, that the und-rsigned was on the 17th day of August, 1894. by an order of the district court in and for Custer county in the suit of Leo C. Harmon, as receiver of the Stock Growers National bank. of Miles City, Montana, laintiff vs. The Water & Electric Light company, a Corporation Defendant, duly appointed receiver of all the property of the said Water & Electric Light company mentioned in two mortgages annexed to the complaint of plaintiff in said action. for the purpose of taking possession of said property and continuing the business of defendant during the pendency of the said foreclosure suit and collecting the revenue and paying the running expenses of said defendant: and the undersigned has entered upon the discharge of his duties as such receiver, and the business and operation of the said defendants Water & Electric Light plant is under the management and control of the undersigned as such receiver. to whom all payments for water and light furnished by the said Water & Electric Light company must be made, and with whom all business concerning the same is to be transacted. The office of the undersigned is located in the rear of the Stock Growers National bank building, Miles City, Montana. J.B. COLLINS, Receiver of the Water & Electric Light Co. Dated August 21st. 1894. First publication, August 23, 1894.

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with cold lead, one of the men being shot in the back of the head, the bullet coming out through the chin. The injured man at last accounts was still alive, but sinking gradually, and the murderer chained in the guard house.

A telegram from Grand Master Workman Moore, now attending the supreme session of the A. O. U. W. in Chicago, states that favorable action has been taken and that Supreme Master Workman Joseph E. Riggs of Kansas will be in Fargo, Tuesday, July 16th, to organize the grand lodge of North Dakota. This will bring fifty two representatives from subordinate lodges in the state there together with many visiting brethren, and will separate North from South Dakota.

The delegates to the various Masonic grand lodge bodies went to Fargo this morning, where the annual sessions will be held, commencing at noon on the 18th. Thursday the grand chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star will meet. Mrs. H. E. White is grand matron and Mrs. N. R. Briggs grand secretary. In the evening the initiation services will be exemplified by the degree team from Mecca Chapter, Fargo, and the floor work by the chapter from Jamestown. That evening a banquet will also be given the visitors and grand officers by Fargo. A very pleasant time is anticipated. Perkins, Briggs, Hare and others will attend from Bismarck.

Leo Harmon of Miles City, Mont., a son of Capt. William Harmon, formerly post trader at Fort Lincoln, who is well known among the old timers on the river, was in the city yesterday, having come up from Cannon Ball, where he attended the funeral of his uncle, H. S. Parkin. Leo has been in Miles City for some years past, and was engaged with the Stockgrowers' Bank, and after its failure was appointed receiver of that institution. The position is a responsible one, and is efficiently and satisfactorily filled by the present incumbent. Captain Harmon has a well stocked ranch near Miles City, and is doing well financially, although his health is poor, he having suffered from an attack of locomotor ataxia some time ago. Leo returned west this morning.