Crime News for Fremont County Idaho
Bates Acquitted
The case of the State of Idaho against Thomas Bates is attracting the
attention of quite a large number of our people. A short time ago
one Charles H. Foster, a resident of Teton Basin, made and filed a
complaint in the Probate court charging Mr. Bates with the larceny of
two sheep. Not having the time to prepared his defense and secure
the attendance of his witnesses, Mr. Bates was unable and therefore
made not defense at the preliminary examination and he was held to
answer the charge made against him by Foster.
The charge against Mr. Bates grew out of a dispute as to the ownership
of two sheep. Foster claimed the sheep belong to him and Mr.
Bates claimed the sheep were his property, and would not permit Foster
to take the sheep out of his herd. Mr. Bates’ arrest followed
upon the above mentioned charge.
Shortly after the date of the above preliminary examination, Foster
instituted a replevin suit for the recovery of the two sheep in
dispute. The case was tried and the jury brought in a verdict for
the defendant, Mr. Bates, finding that the sheep were his
property. During the trial of this case the testimony disclosed
the fact that on 7th day of January, 1904, Samuel Kunz, Jr., in the
presence of Foster, offered to settle the dispute over the two sheep
if Mr. Bates would pay over the sum of $1,500 or turn over 500
head of sheep. And it is said that there are quite a large number
of people who believe that the claim to these two sheep was made in
order to lay the foundation for a criminal charge against Mr. Bates and
to secure the sum of $1,500 or 500 head of sheep from him to settle the
same. It is gratifying to the friends of Mr. Bates to know that
he refused to pay the money or to turn over the sheep.
Mr. Bates has resided in Fremont county for about eighteen years and
won the reputation of being an honest, honorable and upright man and
his many friends will pleased to hear of his prompt acquittal of the
offense charged against him by Foster. E. M. Holden was the attorney
for Mr. Bates and visited the Bash last week for the purpose of trying
the suit.
Source: Marysville Republican - May 17, 1904
Submitted by Nancy Overlander
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