Sheriff George T. Young

Sheriff George T. Young of Park County, MT

Summary of large article from
Livingston Enterprise - dated November 17, 1900, Livingston, MT

"SHERIFF YOUNG MURDERED IN COLD BLOOD"

A man of about 25 robbed a man on a train which was going to Garrison on Nov. 8, 1900, and then later that same day shot and killed E. V. Beaver, a rancher, at Logan. A man fitting the description of the murder was spotted the following day in Springdale at the train depot. Sheriff Young and his under Sheriff Frank Beller were sent to arrest the suspect. When Sheriff Young arrived in Springdale at about 6 p.m., he found several men at the depot. He tried to find out which one was the suspect in the killing of Mr. Beaver. He talked to several people in and around the depot, and then, he walked out of the depot onto the platform looking for the suspect. At this point, he was shot in the heart by the suspect and probably died instantly.

He fell flat on his face. Under Sheriff Beller subsequently was also shot and wounded seriously. It is believed that the suspect was never caught even though he was pursued by a posse for days.

More details from the newspaper articles: Sheriff Young was unable to pick out the suspect in the depot at the Springdale train station because he had only a meager description of him. He went to the private apartment of Agent Carney to get a more complete discription.

When Sheriff Young returned to the depot, the suspect had gone out onto the platform. Sheriff Young left the depot and began walking towards the man on the platform holding handcuffs. In the meantime, Agent Carney went back inside the depot to get Under Sheriff Beller. The Under Sheriff came out onto the platform with his revolver in hand and walked about 5 feet from the door. The suspect fired and the bullet struck Beller causing him to whirl around, and as he did so, the suspect then fired at Sheriff Young and shot him in the heart.

The hunt for the murderer was "the greatest manhunt ever porsecuted in eastern Montana..."

From an Editorial on Sheriff Young:

"Sheriff Young's official record is written on the pages of Livingston and Park County. For 12 years, Park County recorded each deed, each act, of Sheriff Young, and today the record stands without a flaw, devoid of blemish. In the business world, where man's word and honor are his passport, he had free entry and no blot or stain. In the sacred circle of the family, there shone the happiest combination of the husband, father, and man. All will bear witness that no artist could paint a prettier picture of a devoted husband and wife, of a kind and indulgent father, and of dutiful and affectionate children than could be found in the little home of which Sheriff Young was the head.

Whatever official duty he encountered, he met it promptly, conscientiously, and fearlessly."

Note: The article about Sheriff Young can be found in the Livingston-Park County Public Library, 228 W. Callender Street, Livingston, MT 59047.