Father of Hesterly Comes to Son’s Aid

(Printed in the Hysham Echo January 21, 1926 & October 25, 2013)

The trial of Arthur T. Hesterly, the self-confessed murder of Peter Jacobi and his 18-year-old niece, Matilda Latsch, as they were entering their home Dec. 29, three miles east of Forsyth, is expected to take place in the near future.
County Attorney F. F. Haynes is securing evidence to prove that hesterly is not insane, but a vicious tramp who murdered for gain, and it is understood will file a charge of first degree murder.

Held At Miles City

Hesterly has been confined to the county jail in Miles City since the day of his arrest, the Rosebud county officers fearing that the friends of the murdered man and girl might wreck summary judgement on the depraved hobo.
Last week S. H. Hesterly, father of the murderer, arrived in Forsyth from his home in White Plains, Missouri. He brought with him his attorney Judge D. H. Griffin of Kansas City, who will defend the murderer. It is believed the defense will make use of the insanity plea. The Times-Journal says:
It is understood that the defense will be based upon a judgement of insanity issued out of the courts of Missouri and findings of insanity by the government of the United States.
County Attorney F. F. Haynes has determined by telegraphic advises from the adjutant general’s department of the army that Hesterly was found to be mentally and physically sound when discharged from the army.
The state, it is rumored, will be able to show in this case that the accused was never adjudged by Federal authorities to be an insane person.
“We purpose to proceed against Hesterly exactly as we would against any other cold blooded murderer,” said Attorney F. F. Haynes. “Hesterly murdered two of our citizens. His motives were robbery and loot, and he selected the Jacobi place because of its isolation, according to his confession. It was removed from the ways of travel in the edge of a woods on the bank of the Yellowstone river,” continued Mr. Haynes.
“In my opinion Hesterly is not insane. He is possessed of a depraved and criminal mind, with the elements of fear, cowardice and treachery always present. He knew his continuous danger, and did everything he could do to cover up his crime. Moreover, after he had murdered his victims he watched alertly for visitors to the ranch and was prepared to escape if any one should put in an appearance, but figured he was safe there as any where. When no one came, he was lulled into a false sense of security which ended in his undoing.”

Drafted In Army

Hesterly is not a shell shocked war veteran, according to county officials but was hauled into the army about three months before the war ended on the end of a draft rope and did his time in the wheat fields of central Kansas. The only guns he heard were the sun gun and target practice they say. Print this post