Books
Dusting Off the Old Ones was published in 1961 by W. B. Clarke, Miles City, Montana.
Commissioners' Proceedings 1883
These stories are usually dated during that period when the lighting of the homes in Miles City was done by the kerosene lamp. To-day's story will relate a rather unusual happening in the matter of county government, at any rate in Custer county government. At the beginning of the year 1883, Russell Briggs, J. B. Hubbell and D. A. Robinson were the elected county commissioners of this county, and L. S. Taylor was county clerk. All four of these officials were ousted from office by an act of the Legislature in 1883, for alleged misappropriation of funds and other irregularities in their respective offices. It is estimated that Custer county lost from $30,000 to $50,000 during their short regime. It was at this time that Russell Briggs, chairman of the board of county commissioners, took several thousand dollars and went east to purchase furniture and equipment for the new courthouse. Neither Mr. Briggs nor the money, has been seen or heard of since that time. Indictments were brought by the grand jury against the county commissioners and the county clerk, but it is said that owing to the fact that their faction controlled the powers of justice at that time in Custer County, the case terminated in favor of the defendants. After the commissioners and clerk were removed from office by the Legislature, William Van Gasken, T. J. Bryan and G. M. Miles were appointed commissioners to act until a special election could be held. This was held on April 16, 1883, and the new commissioners elected were T. J. Bryan, W. H. Bullard and C. W. Anderson.