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Unitedvho be-st men agnates■ee were ul menievelop-3gc, the bie had lanaged becamelanagedlonncll’s c bank-ncern a itter jf ion the irincipal at thatbusinessDonnell,lid that $1,255,-872 the business 1873 to .875 to 1877 1379andto t o inness tare? dust ult year played ning to . Near-aken in rom the ich had by the .rs from larabie’s total of rllion. :ro rich led in ausiness isferred r fields. k farm .ighbredIiich heMAYIA B litIA.paiAiII AVAAY I aaavaa11Pym, Hero of Custer Figlfot, WasnoBrawl atHomeFired Shot“Jim” Acquired Medal of Honor From Congress of United States for Bravery in Action at the Little Big Horn River June 25-26, 1876.vvx*mmMon Tans Lob GrillBy *MON TANA LOU” GRILLNearly 17 years after the Eattle of the Little Big Horn, James “Jim Pym, hero in that sanguinary conflict, waa fatally shot in Miles City Nov. 29,1893. He was a member of Company B of the Sev- pjgMginth Cavalry andwas with M a j o rReno after the Indians had driven him back across the river. A single pistol shot, which broke the stillness of that early winter night on Fifthstreet about two blocks of the main thoroughfare, fired by Ralph Tilton, according to the authorities, eft Pym lying dead on the floor of a house occupied by Mrs. Croni his sister-in-law. Pym had been l inking, it was stat d, and finding Tilton in the house on his arrival, began to berate him. As his anger increased he struck Tilton, who had but recently been with the 7UK outfit. He was but a youngman, yet experienced on the range, he knew how to defend himself. Drawing his pistol after he had been struck by Pym, he pulled the trigger.Pym, who had faced danger on various and sundry occasions ,as a member of the Seventh Cavalry under the command of Gen. George A. Custer, walked into the adjoining room after the shot had been fired. He departed laughing at the boy’s use of his gun. The bullet, however, entering his body, Pym fell to the floor just as he cleared the room and within a few minutes expired. Later examination revealed that the bullet had penetrated the right side of his body.Hurrying out of the buildin;- and going to the livery stable nearby, Tilton secured his horse which he saddled and disappeared into the night. A storm was raging. News of the fatal shooting soon spread over the community. riv virtues of each man were | commonly discussed. Eoth men were more or less reticent by nature, although friends of Pym still living recall that on occasions he recited the story of his experiences with MajorPOUNDSREASE from the firstEALFA on the farm oflirfield, after using) APHOSPHATEReno when he and his command were held back by the Indians and prevented from going to the assistance of General Custer, who, with his immediate command, were annihilated.It as not until the following morning that Deputy sheriff Thurman of Custer county, and Chief of Police Ol-lie Jackson of Miles City, started in pursuit of Tilton. The officers took the trail up Tongue river. When out about four miles they discovered the embers of a fire which, apparently, had been Tilton's rendezvous during the night. The storm had abated to some extent. Tracks in the snow leading from the fire were examined. Being followed the officers cam to the Frank Herman ranch a little further south up the valley after describing a circuitous route which Tilton probably thoughtrequest. Tilton then turned to the incident if the shooting which brought an end to Pym’s life, and claimed he shot in self-defense. He maintained this position throughout the entire trip back to the city.A coroner’s jury was empaneled to pass on the circumstances of the fatal shooting. It was arranged also to nave a post morten examination made of the body to trace the course of the bullet which produced death. The jury found that Pyx had come to his death is the result of pistol fire, the shot having been fired by Ralph Tilton, who stoutly continued to claim that he fired in self-defense.Pym was a man about 46 years of age. He had come from Livingston to Miles City several years before his death, and but recently had been en-'HiiJSffiS^ wJ in the restaurant t^inSs. AtApproaching the Herman dwelling cautiously, tlle officers gave the alarm and were' admitted. Entering they found that Tilton had just eaten his breakfast. Drawing their guns on him, Tilton indicated that he was willing to surrender without making a lem-onstralion. He was duly arrested and brought back to Miles City.With a grit that penetrated into he very marrow of his bones, Tilton begged that the officers would turn him loose in order that he might make a run for his life. He argued this matter with the deputy sheriff and chiefof police, but they refused to grant theLaw EnforcementOfficials SeekingShort-Wave RadioThe Montana Sheriffs and Peace Officers association held its annual convention recently at Helens Shell Billings of Choteau was elected president of the opening session. He succeeded Lester Black, Judith Basin county sheriff. Other officers elected were Sheriff Guy Palagi, Great Falls, vice president, and Sheriff Brian D. O’Connell, Helena, secretary-treasurer.The legi ative committee is composed of O’Connell, Guy Tullock, Lew .town; Oscar Marty, Fort Bentor J. R. McFate, Red Lodge, and Dodd Keith,Chester.The association agreed to sponsor legislation recommending that sheriffsin sixth and seventh class counties be given the same salaries as those of fifth clas counties, that beer parlors be closed from 2 until 8 ,a. m. and the installation of three short wave radio stations in the state for more adequate police protection. -FARM HOME DESTROYEDFire destroyed the farm home of Mr. and Mrs. Alger Meek near Wibaux a few days ago. Most of the furnishings were saved and the budding was pai-tly covered by insurance. Only quick work on the part of neighbors saved the other (arm buildings.the time of the fatal shooting he had been working as a cook for Charles Richter. Previous to his residence n Livingston, and following the Custer Battle, Pym had returned to Lake City, Minn., where he had been the city marshal.Before his burial the coroner removed fror Pym’s breast the medal of honor which had been bestowed upon him by congress for bravery in action at the Little Big Horn river, Montana, June 25-26, 1876, on the first day of which the Custer Battle was fought.While he was a resident of Miles City, Pym had confided to friends the circumstances of the incident for which congress had voted him the medal of honor. Major Reno, he said, had been driven back across the river by the Indians engaged in the battle, and held,im on Reno Hill. The situation on the hill grew desperate on account of the lack of water. Time after time soldiers f the Rene command volun teered to go down to the river and bring back canteens filled with water, but were repulsed by the ever-watch-ful Indians who lurked in the shadows along the path which was about thenly trail possible to travel on the way to the water.Pym had related that a desperate situation required a desperate effort to overcome. While he had been repulsed in an effort to gain the river bank, he stated that he was able to m,ake some observations of which he took advantage in his final effort, which succeeded.Fastening a number of canteens together he placed them about his body and over his shi tlders. He carried two in his mouth. Moving stealthily along during the morning of June 26, Pym was able to reach the water where he filled the canteens. The most hazardous part of the trip was then undertaken. He crawled along on hands and knees. The canteens at first seemed to be light enough, but as he proceeded, keeping out of sight and covering his progress without betraying his presence, the metal containers began to “weigh like lead.Unable to release his hands to ease the weight of the two filled canteens he was carrying with his teeth, Pym would describe the agony he exper-NTvimUaw TdC„Uienced in a manner to indicate the pain he felt. He realizd every drop of water was precious, and he was determined that none of it should be lost. Reaching a point within what he considered was a hailing distance to the top ox the hill, Pym threw precaution to the winds, and removing the canteens from his mouth, “which by their weight nearly pulled my teeth out of their sockets,” he made a rush forward. When within sight of the soldiers lie felt that he had come under their protection, and gaining the too fell exhausted, but every canteen had been brought back filled with water. He was regarded as a hero.As he story of the Custer Battle was unfolded. Pym was cited by his superior officer for the brave deed he had performed. Recommendations w e r e made when congress voted him the medal of honor. He prized it highly within himself, but was hesitant when it came to a matter of exhibiting it on his person, for it was always “out ofsight.Fearless in battle, loyal to his military organization, and winning the gratitude of a grateful nation for his extraordinary exploit during L ie Custer Battle, his friends said of him that he was his own greatest enemy.23 Badiasol of wa21Thethis:monRep you the 'Hsiwicinteiachea col insL ness feelway Ray by t(2 FIiBUCKINGiIFROM THE ORIGINAL RiIMined and ShippedIThe Roundup Coa1ROUNDUP, mon:IIAnd Gold by Reliable tana and Throughout 1Use BUCKING BFSOOTLESS—HIGH IN HEAT V CONTENT—LOW IN MOIIt is identified by scatter tags in t of oar patented Trade Mark,There IS a diin soap... NO TWO soaps wai
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Big Timber Pioneer
Big Timber, Montana, US
Thu, Jan 28, 1937
Page 7
Full Page
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Montana H.
MT, USA 19 May 2020
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Big Timber Pioneer
