It was a disagreement over a beer debt that led two transients to stab, burn and beat another transient, officials say.

Charged on Friday with attempted homicide were Jeremy Raskiewicz, 24, and Edward Grogg, 27.

The victim, Ralph Cisco, 45, remained at Kalispell Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries.

The attack reportedly happened in the woods behind Wal-Mart, where transients have set up a makeshift community in the past several years.

Sheriff's Detective Commander Bruce Parish said Raskiewicz and Grogg lived there. Cisco was reportedly visiting them when "an argument transpired over payment for beer. That resulted in a fight."

Cisco was stabbed about five times in the abdomen. He was burned on the chest and arm with the bottom of a hot frying pan, and he was beaten, Parish said.

Cisco reportedly passed in and out of consciousness on Wednesday. Thursday, he walked up Underpass Hill and then to Papa John's Pizza at Fourth Avenue East North, where he reportedly collapsed. He went by ambulance to the hospital.

There was confusion Friday whether the assault happened in Evergreen near Wal-Mart or at Lawrence Park, according to Sheriff Jim Dupont. By Friday afternoon, investigators believed the attack occurred in the woods near the Stillwater River in Evergreen, where Cisco originally told them it happened.

Parish said officials still don't know which of the two arrested men might have stabbed Cisco. A knife presumed to be the weapon was recovered Friday after officials obtained a search warrant for one of the men's backpacks.

If convicted, Grogg and Raskiewicz face up to 100 years in prison.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com