Stolen goods from the Central Montana Historical Society Museum in Lewistown were recovered, some in Sweet Grass county, and James Bernard Chesson, 45, of Grey Cliff has been arrested and charged with the crime.
Items from the museum were taken in three different break ins, the first reported on January 30. Subsequent break ins were reported March 6 and 12.
Sweet Grass County Sheriff George Ames is credited with playing a key role in the arrest. Ames was aware of the break ins and the nature of the items taken. He became suspicious when he stopped in to talk to a local businessman and saw a saddle of a similar description to the one taken in the break ins on Thursday, March 17. The businessman had the saddle while deciding whether to purchase it.
The Lewistown sheriffs office was contacted and Lewistown Police Captain Brad Doncy and past museum president Frank Machler came to Big Timber on Friday to identify the saddle. Fergus County Attorney Tom Meissner was contacted and a warrant obtained to search Chesson's residence.
Other stolen items were traced to a dealer in Billings. Chesson was not home when local law enforcement officers arrived. Posse member Brian Engle and deputy Mike Rodriguez waited until the suspect returned.
Eighteen items were recovered in the search of the residence and from the Billings dealer according to Doney. The value of the saddle is estimated to be S3,000. Items found in the house included rifles, a set of Sioux mocassins, beaded bags, and a horsehair head stall, said Ames.
Chesson, a freelance reporter and unemployed ranch hand, received a courtesy arraignment in Sweet Grass county and was booked in the Fergus county jail on Friday. Bail was set at $50,000.
From the Big Timber Pioneer