Ren against Rector

By Jacque Janzen

Dec. 9 1999

Mr. James’ History class

April 8, 1978: this date is one that many will not and can not forget. This was the day that Mike Ren was shot by Clyde Rector. Good guy against bad guy? Who was the victim Ren or Rector or both?

Karlene Fowler moved here in 1953. She was in Kalispell when the shooting accrued. "I heard it on the radio. I was shocked but expected something would happen between those two." Karlene stated. Ian Jeffcock remembers hearing about it like it was last week. "The clerk at the General Store told me. I laughed when he told me, thinking it was a joke." confessed Ian. (Karlene Fowler-11/13/99; Ian Jeffcock)

This all started when two sheriffs attempted to serve Rector with a bench warrant alleging violation of his probation from the state hospital. After the two sheriffs had chased him down highway 93 and out to the West Side of Eureka, Rector pulled over. Some where in that hustle and bustle Rector shot Ren twice, killing him. The other sheriff and Rector fired off about seventeen shots before Rector fled to the Van Horns home. Nine hours later at 11:50 p.m. Rector surrendered. Three volleys of tear gas had been fired at the house. Two had fallen short and the third landed near the Kitchen. (Ian Jeffcock; Tobacco Valley Newspaper by Carl Rieckmann 4/13/1978)

While at the Van Horns Rector did not aim to hurt either of the men? All Rector asked for was some coffee and sugar. When Rector first came in, Van Horn thought it was the neighbor kids. Rector told them that he had just killed a sheriff and shot at another, who he wasn't sure, if he had killed. Rector spent most of that afternoon on the phone. Van Horn believed he tried to call his mom but could not get through. Rector told them about the three times he had been to Warm Springs state hospital. Rector let Van Horn and Orangle (a friend of Van Horns who had been watching football with him) go about their normal routine. Around 8:00 p.m. they decided to leave, so they went and told Rector they we're going. Rector did nothing to stop them. Van Horn did not go along with the "hostage" talk. He just wanted the truth. (Tobacco Valley Newspaper by Carl Rieckmann 4/13/1978)

"Clyde Rector is sick. Mentally sick." was how the paper stated it. Is this a true statement? Many of Rectors friends and colleges said he was the most equal rights person they had ever known. People often called him honest and said that he believed people were responsible for their own actions. He had proven in year’s prior that he was a hard worker. So what went wrong? It started with an overdose of LSD. Quite a few people around town believed that the drug was given to Rector with out his knowledge. Following this and other drug problems he was placed in the state hospital three times. In Rectors case this might not of been the best solution. He always treasured his freedom and was destroyed when they took that away from him. This and previous encounters with Ren made him lose all trust and faith in the law system. Rector told a friend that he only killed Ren because Ren was out to kill him. Klyde Rector was a well liked person. He had days, though, where no one could trust him or predict his next move. (Tobacco Valley Newspaper by Stoney Burk 4/13/1978)

Mike Ren was a decent man. Although, at times he was considered to be aggressive and quick judging. He had only been a resident of Eureka for two years, before Rector shot and killed him. He did his job when he was called on without thinking of the effects on him. He was said to put the law-abiding citizens first. (Tobacco Valley Newspaper)

So far in this paper there has been facts about the killing, the hostage situation, and the type of people Ren and Rector were. In some cases the opinion of the town differed. It was basically known that the town was shocked. Some weren't surprised; some even expected it to happen. Rector and Ren were known to have a little battle going on. The town was split on the decision of whether or not it was self-defense on Rectors side. Ren is thought to have physically hit and shot at Rector before Rector even pulled his gun. Or at least that was the belief of some. Others say Rector shot and killed Ren before he even had a chance to think about what was happening. It was a bad decision on both Rector and Rens part. Rector knew or should have known better then to kill. But Ren also knew Rector, was a little crazy and thought that Ren was out to kill him. Tobacco Valley Newspaper; Karlene Fowler 11/14/99; Ian Jeffcock)

After the court case was over, Rector left town for awhile. This was suggested by many because they believed you didn't kill a sheriff and get off scotch free. He soon came back to Eureka. Two years later he was found dead. They called it suicide. Believing that he had hung himself. Once again the town disagreed, they believed he was killed. (Karlene Fowler 11/27/99; Ian Jeffcock)

So was Rector crazy. Probably, at times, but the real question isn't that. It is whether or not he was crazy that day. Murder or self-defenses, both were at fault. Ren persuaded Rector that day. One person may know the truth. The other sheriff in the car with Ren that day, but, somewhere along the way his story was lost. This was a great tragedy that happened here in Eureka, Montana. Hopefully it has taught us that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. Or that two wrongs don't make a right.

1. Fowler, Karlene, Nov.13 1999

2. Fowler, Karlene, Nov.14 1999

3. Fowler, Karlene, Nov.27 1999

4. Ian Jeffeock, Nov.27 1999

5. Carl, Rieckmann. "Van Horn held Hostage" Tobacco Valley Newspaper

13 April 1978

6. Stoney, Burk. "Clyde Rector" Tobacco Vallev Newspaper 13 April

1978

7. Parker, Karen. Photo of Clyde Rector. Tobacco Vallev Newspaper 13 April 1978

8. Lacy Studio Photo. Photo of Michael Ren. Tobacco Valley Newspaper

13 April 1978

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