History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889, Part 70

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: San Francisco : History Co.
Number of Pages: 880

USA > Idaho > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 70
USA > Montana > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 70
USA > Washington > History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889 > Part 70

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

DE LACY'S EXPEDITION.

were out 51 days, and travelled 500 miles, discover- ing much new country, but finding no rich deposits of gold.23

3-4

Yellowstone

1ST CANON

VIRGINIA

Fire Hole

W'eat Gallatin

CANON

Route of

Rec

Mehru's Bakel

Hot Spring

Yellowstone

Madison

L.S

MATAS.

Hot Springs

De Lacy's

Dry C

Camas C

Falle, Su ft.

Lakè

Pariny 4

Hot Sor

Desert Wells

TETON BASIN

Jacksons

Bridge Lake

Market Laks

Capt.

Hot Springs

¡JACKSON'S HOLE

Bridgen

Route

Fremont's Peak

Snake

Blackfoot

Hot Sphing

PRAIRIE

+ Ft.Hall

-48

Gap

Gre

33 m+

DE LACY'S EXPEDITION.

23 De Lacy was employed by the first legislature of Montana to make a map of the country to assist in laying off counties, and in this map was em- bodied the knowledge acquired by his personal observations. It was litho- graphed and published, as also another in 1870. He also draughted a map of Montana in 1867 for the surveyor-general's office. In 1868 he wrote a letter ou the railroad facilities of Montana, which was published in Raymond's re- port of the Mines of the West the following year. In this letter he states his discoveries of Shoshone Lake, which he had called after himself, and the Madison Geysers. In 1872 Prof. Hayden visited these places, and failed to give the proper credit; even after being reminded of it he neglected to do so, wishing, of course, to appear as the discoverer of the lake, the true source of Snake River, and the wonderful geyser basin at the head of the Madison.

Route-of Capt. De Lacy and Party, 1663

A INO CANON N

Capt. De Lary

Lake

Worth of ILenty's wer Foy

SNO1313HIS

Sink

Lake

Capt. De Lag

South

De Dougall's

634

TOWN-BUILDING AND SOCIETY.

Another expedition of this year was that of a large company of immigrants which started from St Cloud, Minnesota, under the escort of James L. Fisk, who conducted the Minnesota train of the year previous.24 On both occasions he pursued the northern route; in 1863 via Fort Ripley, the Crow Wing Indian agency, Otter Tail City, Dayton, Fort Abercrombie, Thayen Oju River, lakes Lydia, Jessie, and White- wood, the head of Mouse River, and the Coteau du Missouri, crossing the White Earth, Porcupine, Milk, and María rivers, reaching Fort Benton on the 6th of September. In his report, Fisk mentions that the farm at the Blackfoot agency was in charge of a Mr Clark, Vail having gone to the Bannack gold-field. Wheat, oats, and all kinds of vegetables were raised at the agency, and the catholics had established a mission, St Peter's, within fifteen miles of the place. The only farm in Prickly Pear Valley belonged to Morgan, who was erecting a large log house and out- buildings, covering a considerable area, the whole sur- rounded by a stockade ten feet in height. The popu- lation of Bannack and Virginia City together, he tells us, was twelve thousand in the early summer.25

24 Fisk's report is contained in H. Ex. Doc., 45, 38th cong. Ist sess., and is extremely good in a descriptive and also in a historical sense.

25 Among other immigrants of 1863 whe settled in Beaverhead county were: William B. Carter, born in Ohio April 23, 1840. At the age of 23 years he came to Montana with a horse-team, and established himself on Alder Creek, freighting goods from Salt Lake for 4 or 5 years, in company with E. C. Bennett, who came with him from Ohio. Bennett died. Carter married Anna B. Selway in IS68, and settled at Dillon. Frederick Temple, born in Germany Aug. 14, 1840, came to America an infant and lived in Ohio and Missouri until 20 years of age, then went to Colorado, following the rush te Mentana in 1863. Mined in Alder gulch and Prickly Pear Valley until 1866, when he went to Indian Creek. In 1867 he took a farm near Raders- burg, and married Serate Richards in 1874. Archie Macumber, bern in New York Dec. 1, 1838, removed te Mich. when a boy, and resided there till 1859. Went from Colorado to New Mexico, and returning, went to the Salmon River mines. Made some valuable discoveries, and spent the winter of 1862 in Salt Lake, returning to Virginia City in 1863, and going inte freighting for two years, then selling groceries. Went to the Lemhi mines when they were discovered, and finally settled at merchandising, but sold out and secured a farm of 320 acres near Radersburg. In 1870 he married Mrs Martha Kennon. Jehn Brady, Bowlder Valley, born in Ireland Aug. 5, 1825, came to the U. S. in 1856, settled in Missouri, where he remained un- til 1860, and then went to Colorado, and to the Montana mines in the spring of 1863. On the discovery of Alder Creek placers he went there and fol-

635

NAMES OF SETTLERS.

He sold the horses, cattle, and wagons belonging to the government at Virginia and Bannack cities, and

lowed mining for 5 years, after which he removed to Bowlder Valley, where he soon had 480 acres of land, 400 or 500 head of cattle, and some other stock. He married, in 1861, Anna Magillie. William Rogers, Bowlder Val- ley, born in Ireland Feb. 17, 1837, came to the U. S. in 1856, remaining in New York one year, going thence to St Louis, to Colorado, and to Virginia City in 1863, then to Diamond City, where he mined for three years. He then settled in Jefferson county, where he farmed with 600 or 700 acres of land, raising horses and cattle. He married, in 1860, Anna McEntre. They were among the first settlers in North Bowlder Valley. John Cull, Bedford, was born in England July 7, 1832, immigrated to America in 1856, and to the Colorado mines in 1861, driving an ox-team. In September 1863 he fol- lowed the rush to Alder Creek, mining on the small gulch 12 miles from Virginia City for a year, and afterward on the Blackfoot River. He then tried prospecting for new mines, and with George Detwiller discovered Basin Creek inines, and subsequently Indian Creek mines, in 1865. In 1869 he weut to the Cœur d'Alene mining region, and from there to California, re- turning to Indian Creek and mining there until 1876, when he went to the Black Hills, and from the Black Hills to Bear Paw Mountain in 1878, and back again to the Black Hills, to Leadville, to Santa Fé, New Mexico, and finally, after stopping again at Leadville, to Indian Creek. William Vaughn, born in Virginia Aug. 5, 1825, removed at the age of 18 years to Missouri, and in 1850 to California, returning in 1853 to Missouri. In 1859 he went to Colorado, and thence to Virginia City mines, where he remained a year, after which he mined on Indian Creek, Confederate gulch, Grizzly gulch, and Tucker gulch, returning at last to Indian Creek, where he located 50 acres of placer ground, which he mined by hydraulic apparatus, and had 500 feet of flume. H. J. Marsh was born in Ohio April 2, 1838, and raised on a farm. Re- moved to Illinois in 1863, and thence to Montana the same year by overland coach. He took a farm of 320 acres on White Tail Deer Creek and met with good success raising horses.

Settlers in Madison county: John Willhard, born in Germany Sept. 28, 1838, came to the U. S. in 1854, and crossed the plains with a mule-team in 1860, to Colorado, where he mined and farmed until May 1863, when he fol- lowed the immigration to Montana. After mining one season at Virginia City he took a farm of 640 acres in the Beaverhead Valley, a mile below Twin Bridges. In company with Lester Harding he discovered Carpenter's Bar. Carl Rahmig, born in Germany Oct. 3, 1837, came to the U. S. in 1858, locating in Iowa, where he remained until 1862, when he went to Nevada with a horse-team. After a short stay there and in Cal. he went to Idaho, and thence to Montana. His first residence was in the Prickly Pear Valley. After prospecting and mining until 1870 he settled on a farm in the valley of Willow Creek, between the Madison and Beaverhead rivers, and raised stock. O. W. Jay, born in New York May 2, 1844, removed with his parents to Wisconsin and Illinois, being raised a farmer. At the age of 17 years went to Colorado, returning the same season to Illinois. In 1863 went again to Colorado, and the same year to Virginia City, where he mined until 1870, when he secured a farm of 1,100 acres. He married Ella J. Wilcox in 1874. Wilson Butt, Fish Creek, born in Indiana March 7, 1827, removed to Cal. overland in 1849, where he mined for five years, returning to Missouri in 1854. In 1862 went to Colorado, where he remained until the following year, when he went to Alder gulch, and in 1865 to Helena. In 1870 he settled in Jefferson Valley, farming 280 acres, and raising grain and stock. Sanders E. Word, Ennis, born in Ky Dec. 16, 1846, removed in 1854 to Missouri. At the age of 17 years began driving freight teams across the plains, which business he followed several years. He settled on the upper Madison River, devoting himself to farming and stock-raising. Joseph Eveans,

636

TOWN-BUILDING AND SOCIETY.

returned via Salt Lake, travelling to that place by the Bannack City express, which was a covered

Ennis, born in Indiana Jan. 30, 1836, went to Colorado at the age of 25 years, driving a mnle-team; mined for three years in that country, and then went to Virginia City, but soon settled on a farm on the Madison River. William Fletcher, Ennis, born in New York March 24, 1829, was raised a farmer, and resided in his native state until 1856, when he emigrated to Nebraska, and to Montana in 1863, driving a horse-team. Remained a year at Bannack, when he went to Virginia City and engaged in the business of supplying the market with beef. He married Zilphia Wakefield in 1866. Christopher Richter, born in Germany June 8, 1834, came to the U. S. in 1856, and engaged as a coal-miner in Pa, although a cooper and brewer by trade, but soon went to St Louis, and then to St Charles, Missouri, working at his trade of coopering until 1860, when he went to Colorado for a year, and from thence to New Mexico, returning and going to Montana in 1863. He went into brewing beer in 1864, with Henry Gilbert, at Virginia City, in which business he continued for 8 years, then went to farming on the upper Madison, where he raised stoek. He also owned a quartz mine called the Germantown, half a mile from Spaulding, which assayed 62 ounces of silver and 58 ounces of gold per ton. He married Anna Aekler in 1862.

Settlers of Gallatin connty: George E. Mckinsey, born in Indiana Ang. 22, 1822. In 1854 he removed to Nebraska, remaining there until 1863, when he went to Montana with an ox-team, and mined for three years at Alder gulch. In 1866 he removed to Madison Valley, and established a ferry, but went back to mining the following year, and in 1869 returned to Middle Creek, settling finally near Bozeman in 1871. He married Sarah Anna Wil- son in 1850. Andrew Cowan, Hillsdale, born in Ky March 1834, and raised on a farm. Went to Salt Lake from Missouri by stage in 1863, and from there to Virginia City. Engaged in freighting for one year, after which took a farm of 480 acres in the Gallatin Valley, and raised cattle and horses. He married Rachel C. Tribble in 1872. Henry Heebe, Central Park, born in Pa Nov. 17, 1840, was bred a farmer. In IS56 went to Kansas, where he resided until 1863, when he proceeded to Montana. In 1864, together with William Coly, William Riley, and Clarke, he discovered the celebrated Pony mine, and the McDonald and Strawberry mines. Heebe sold his inter- est in the Pony for a trifle, and settled on a farm on the Gallatin River. C. Etherington was born in England June 25, 1831, and emigrated to the U. S. in 1854. After 3 years spent in Pennsylvania, went to Kansas, and thence to Colorado in 1859. Returned to Kansas, and again to Colorado in 1862, whence he went to Virginia City and Bannack in the following year, and settled in 1864 in the Gallatin Valley, 12 miles south-west of Bozeman, being the oldest resident of his section of the valley, and delighting to be called Kit Carson by his neighbors.

Settlers in Lewis and Clarke county: Nicholas Kessler, Helena, born in Germany, May 26, 1833, immigrated to the U. S. in 1834, going first to Ohio and then to Ill., where he was in the grain, flour, and general produce busi- ness. In 1860 he went to Pike's Peak, Colorado, where he mined in different localities until 1863, when he went to Virginia City, where he kept a bakery and a drinking-saloon for a few months. In 1864 went home to Germany, re- turning to Montana in 1864 and establishing a brewery within two miles of Helena. He also made brick at the rate of 2,000,000 or 3,000,000 yearly, with old-fashioned hand-moulds, employing in brewery and brick-yard 45 men, at wages varying from $40 to $210 per month, with board and rooms. Used 9,000 bushels of barley in 1883, most of it raised in Montana, some coming from Cal. Made 2,852 barrels of whiskey. Thero being no facilities for edu- cation, his school district being poor, Kessler erected a brick school-house at a cost of $700, and employed a teacher at $65 per month. William James English, Prickly Pear Valley, was born in Ireland, in August 1834, and

637

FREIGHT TRAINS AND IMMORALITY.

wagon, leaving Bannack once a week with passengers.26 At the ferry on Snake River, which was guarded by soldiers from General Connor's army,27 he found 150 wagons from Denver bound to the mines on the east slope of the Rocky Mountains, and farther on 400 more wagons, all with the same destination.

Almost in the light of expeditions must be consid- ered the long journeys by freight trains. Usually a company was formed of several teans; but considering the small number of men who must guard a large amount of property on these journeys to and from Salt Lake and the Missouri River, the service was one requiring at times more than ordinary nerve. Twenty-five or thirty cents per pound was some- times added to the river freights for the land trans- portation.

The condition of early society east of the moun- tains was not very different from that which we have seen in Idaho. If vice is hardly forced by the law's awful presence to conceal itself under a cloaking of decency, how free is it to flaunt its filth- iness where there is no law; and how apt are nien, who under other circumstances would have avoided the exhibition of it, to indulge a prurient liber- tinism here. In the mines even the most reverend

emigrated to Canada' at the age of 9 years, removing to Nebraska 3 years afterward. From Nebraska he went to Colorado by mule-team, and thence to Virginia City in 1863. Was employed mining at wages, which were from $6 to Sil per day, according to the work. He owned the first cooking-stove brought to Alder gulch. In 1868 he settled on a farm of 160 acres near Helena. He married Margaret Neuman in 1863. I find mention of Peter Daly, wife, and 2 step-daughters of this year's immigration, with no infor- mation concerning them.

26 The expresses from the two Bannack cities, both in Idaho, in 1863, came together at the Snake River Ferry and made great confusion in distributing mail matter, the letters for Bannack or Idaho City often going to Bannack in Beaverhead Valley, and vice versa. Boisé News, Sept. 29, 1863.

27 Colonel P. Edward Connor of the 2d U. S. cavalry of Cal., known as the fighting second, in a battle on Bear River, Jan. 29, 1863, killed 278 Indians on the field and 25 in escaping across the river, not to mention 3 Ind- ian women and 2 children butchered, and capturing all their property. This battle put an end to the killing of immigrants on that section of the road for several years. Connor was brevetted major general. He lost 26 killed, 49 wounded, and 69 who suffered amputation of fingers and toes from freezing. Virginia Montana Post, Feb. 9, 1867.

638

TOWN-BUILDING AND SOCIETY.

may study social problems from the life. Here, too, crime assumes gigantic proportions, and organizes for a war upon industry and thrift.

For a much more complete history of the road- agents and vigilance committees of Montana than I have space for, I refer the reader to my Popular Tri- bunals, this series. The name of this extensive class, 'road-agents,' which sprang up so quickly and disap- peared so suddenly, became a mocking allusion to their agency in relieving travellers of whatever gold-dust or other valuables they might be carrying, and was preferred by these gentry to the more literal one of highway robbers. It is said, however, that the origin of the word came from the practice of the robbers of visiting overland stage stations, and, under the pre- tence of being agents of the mail line, changing their poor horses for better ones. The accoutrements of a road-agent were a pair of revolvers, a double-barrelled shot-gun of large bore, with the barrels cut down short, and a knife. Mounted on a fleet and well-trained horse, disguised with mask and blankets, he lay in wait for his prey. When the victim approached near enough, out he sprang, on a run, with levelled gun, and the order, "Halt! throw up your hands!" Should the command be obeyed, the victim escaped with the loss of his valuables, the robber riding away, leaving the discomfited traveller to curse at his leisure. But if the traveller hesitated, or tried to escape, he was shot.

Chief among this class and head of a large crimi- nal association was Henry Plummer, gentleman, baker, legislator, sheriff, and author of many murders and robberies. Villany was organized in strict ac- cordance with law. When Plummer was sheriff of Bannack in 1863 his chief associates in crime were sworn in as deputies.

In October the coach of Peabody and Caldwell which ran between Virginia City and Bannack was halted in a ravine by two road-agents and the pas- sengers robbed of $2,800. In November Oliver's Salt

639

THE ROAD-AGENTS.

Lake coach left Virginia City and was robbed before reaching Bannack. One of the fraternity named Ives shot a man who threatened to give information. To rid themselves of Dillingham, first deputy sheriff at Virginia City-a good man who would not join the gang -three of them shot him. They, as well as Ives, were arrested. In the matter of the murderers of Dilling- ham, some were in favor of a trial by a jury of twelve men, others opposed it on the ground that Sheriff Plummer would pack the jury. It was at length agreed to put the matter to vote, and it was decided in mass-meeting that the whole body of the people should act as jurors. Judge G. G. Bissell was ap- pointed president of the court, with Steel and Rutar as associates. E. R. Cutler, a blacksmith, was ap- pointed public prosecutor, and James Brown assistant, while H. P. A. Smith was attorney for the defence. Indictments were found against Stinson, one of the deputy sheriffs, and against Haze Lyons and Charles Forbes. In the cases of Stinson and Lyons a verdict of guilty was returned by the people. A vote being taken on the method of punishment, a chorus of "Hang them !" was returned, and men were set to erect a scaffold and dig graves. While these preparations were in progress Forbes was being tried. But the popular nerve had already begun to weaken, and be- sides, this murderer was a handsome fellow, tall, straight, agile, brave, and young, and the popular heart softened toward him. The same jury that con- demned the others acquitted him on the false evidence of an accomplice and Forbes' eloquent speech in his own behalf, by a nearly unanimous vote. His attorney even fell upon his neck and wept and kissed him. How could the crowd hang the other wretches after this turn of af- fairs? The prisoners themselves saw their advantage, and pleaded eloquently for their lives, and some women who were present joined their prayers to those of the doomed men. The farce concluded by another vote being taken on a commutation of sentence; they were

640

TOWN-BUILDING AND SOCIETY.

simply banished, and hurriedly left the scene of popu- lar justice. All this while poor Dillingham yet lay unburied, on a gambling-table in a brush wickiup.28 Thus ended the first murder trial at Virginia City.

Ives, like Plummer and Forbes, was a gentlemanly rascal,29 and many persons refused to believe him a common murderer. A large number of persons col- lected from the mines about to witness his trial. The counsel for the accused were H. P. A. Smith, L. F. Richie, Wood J. Thurmond, and Alexander Davis. W. F. Sanders conducted the prosecution, assisted by Charles S. Bagg. Wilson was the judge. Sanders 30 mounted a wagon and made a motion that "George Ives be forthwith hanged by the neck until he is dead," which resolution was at once adopted. He was hanged a few feet from the place of his trial.

Having dared to execute one murderer, the people breathed a little more freely. But it was plain that the whole community could not go on holding court to try all the desperadoes in the country, hundreds of whom deserved hanging. It was out of this necessity, to protect society without turning it into a standing army, that the first movement arose to form a vigilance committee. Soon after the execution of Ives, five citizens of Virginia City and one of Ne- vada City found each other taking steps in the direc- tion of such a committee. In a few days the league extended to every part of what is now Montana, and two men were hanged on the 4th of January in Stinkingwater Valley.

28 A wiekiup was a brush or willow tent, or shanty. They were made by laying eross-poles on four upright posts and covering them with bushes. Some made by the Indians were not over 6 feet square. In Montana the conical skin tent used by the mountain tribes was called a tepee.

29 George Ives was from Ives Grove, Racine county, Wis., and a member of a highly respectable family. He caused an account of his death at the hands of Indians to be sent to his mother, to conceal from her his actual fate. Dimsdale's Vig. of Montana, 223.

30 Sanders was a nephew of Judge Edgerton, first governor of Montana, and sole authorized power in the territory for some months. The vigilants gave Edgerton their support, which also gave moral support to Sanders. The legislature subsequently confirmed some of the governor's acts, and re- fused to confirm others. Undoubtedly his influence and that of his nephew was exerted for the public welfare.

641

PLUMMER HANGED.

Meanwhile evidence was accumulating against the chief of the road-agents and his principal aids. Feel- ing sure of this, Plummer, Stinson, and Ray deter- mined to lose no time in leaving the scene of their many crimes. But just as their preparations were about completed they were quietly arrested, taken to a gallows in waiting, and hanged.31

During the month of January 1864 there were twenty-two executions in different parts of Montana. Smith and Thurmond, who defended Ives, were ban- ished along with some spurious gold-dust manufac- turers.

31 Dimsdale's Vig. of Montana, 128. The author of this pamphlet was born under the flag of Great Britain, and was very English in sentiment, yet he fully justifies the first committee of safety in their executions. Dimsdale was a contributor to the Virginia and Helena Post, and became its editor. He was appointed by Gov. Edgerton superintendent of public instruction of Montaua, was orator of the grand lodge of masons, and possessod a large fund of general knowledge, with great versatility of talent. He prepared his bock on the vigilants only two weeks before his death, which occurred Sept. 22, 1866, at the age of 35 years. He was pronounced 'genial, generous, and good.' Virginia and Helena Post, Sept. 29, 1866; Salt Lake Vidette, Oct. 11, 1866.

Dimsdale says that the Magruder party were murdered by order of Plum- mer, and quotes the confession of Erastus Yager (who was nicknamed Red). Yager stated that of the band in Bannack and Virginia Plummer was chief, William Bunton second in command and stool-pigeon, Samuel Bunton road- ster (sent away by the band for being a drunkard), Cyrus Skinner roadster, fence, and spy. At Virginia City George Ives, Steven Marshland, John Wagner, Aleck Carter, William Graves, Buck Stinson, Jolın Cooper, Mexi- can Frank, Bob Zachary, Boone Helm, George Lane, G. W. Brown, George Lowry, William Page, Doc. Howard, James Romaine (the last four were the murderers of the Magruder party), William Terwilliger, and G. Moore were roadsters. Frank Parrish and George Shears were roadsters and horse- thieves. Ned Ray was council-room keeper. The password was 'Innocent.' They wore their neckties in a sailor-knot, and shaved their beard down to moustache and chin whiskers. All the above were hanged; and afterward Jack Gallagher, Joseph Pizanthia, James Daniels, Jake Silvie (who had killed 12 men), John Keene, R. C. Rawley, John Dolan, James Kelly, James Brady, and William Hunter. For a multitude of other murders and hang- ings in Montana, see Popular Tribunals, this series.

HIST. WASH .- 41

CHAPTER III.

POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL,

1864-1866.

ORGANIZATION OF THE TERRITORY-BOUNDARIES ESTABLISHED-GOVERNOR EDGERTON-JUDGES APPOINTED-FIRST LEGISLATURE-SEAT OF GOV- ERNMENT-SEAL-MAP-MEAGHER, ACTING GOVERNOR-PARTY ISSUES -CONVENTION-ELECTION-EARLY NEWSPAPERS-VIGILANCE COMMIT- TEE INFLUENCE-EASTERN SOLONS-DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED BY THE EARLY JUDGES - BEIDLER-MORE LEGISLATION -GOVERNOR SMITH - EDUCATION-ASSAY OFFICE-SURVEYOR-GENERAL-REMOVAL OF CAPITAL.

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History of Washington, Idaho, and Montana : 1845-1889, Part 70

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902 Publication date: 1890 Publisher: San Francisco : History Co. Number of Pages: 880

Author: Bancroft, Hubert Howe, 1832-1918; Victor, Frances Fuller, 1826-1902
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: San Francisco : History Co.
Number of Pages: 880