Cafe Owner Tried for Arson

~ ~ 50 Years Ago ~ ~

January 17, 1974

A Culbertson cafe owner received a one year deferred imposition of sentence in Roosevelt County District Court Monday afternoon for starting fire on a truck trailer operated by her husband and belonging to a trucking company of Regina.

She pleaded guilty to third degree arson after admitting she spread gasoline around the truck and ignited the fire the night after Christmas. She said she had been upset when her husband allegedly returned from an eight-week over-the-road trip without “any funds” for Christmas.

The District Judge agreed to the County Attorney’s suggestion that the court use leniency in the sentencing since the woman was emotionally upset at the time and little actual damage was done. The fire was almost immediately extinguished.

Two tires on the trailer were destroyed and she agreed to make full restitution with the trucking company.

If the woman does not violate any laws for one year, the potential felony will be erased from her record.

Montana cattle ranchers may have a new income from selling the gallstones from cattle.

Cow gallstones, which are quite rare, are being bought by a Minneapolis firm who ships them to the Far East where they process the stones and sell them as aphrodisiacs and remedies.