USA > Idaho > Vigilante days and ways : the pioneers of the Rockies, the makers and making of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Montana > Vigilante days and ways : the pioneers of the Rockies, the makers and making of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Oregon > Vigilante days and ways : the pioneers of the Rockies, the makers and making of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Washington > Vigilante days and ways : the pioneers of the Rockies, the makers and making of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, Vol. I > Part 16
USA > Wyoming > Vigilante days and ways : the pioneers of the Rockies, the makers and making of Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming, Vol. I > Part 16
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Satisfied that Moore belonged to the gang, yet confiding in the truthfulness of his disclosure, Broadwater mounted his horse early in the even- ing, and at two o'clock the next morning was at the crossing of the Big Hole river. There he intended to rest, but fearful that his horse might be stolen by some Pend d'Oreille Indians camped near, he rode on, six miles, to Willow creek. Fastening the lariat firmly to his wrist, and rely-
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ing upon the sagacity of his horse, to warn him of the approach of any of his red neighbors, he lay down upon the grass, and fell asleep. An hour before daylight he was aroused by a sudden plunge and snort of his horse, which, with braced feet, was gazing intently at a patch of wild rye growing near. He retained his prostrate position, and, with his eyes riveted in the same direction, and his faithful revolver grasped ready for use, quietly awaited further developments. At length a slowly creeping object became dimly visible in the morning twilight. He delayed no longer, but taking deliberate aim, fired. Instantly an Indian rose above the rye stalks, and with a fearful yell, sped away into darkness. More frightened than the redskin, whom he afterwards learned he had severely wounded, he mounted his horse with the least possible delay, and hurried away from the dangerous neighborhood.
His route now lay directly over the main range of the Rocky Mountains, by a pass whose ascent and descent are so imperceptible, that persons unacquainted with its peculiarities can never deter- mine where the one ends, or the other begins. It is covered with bunch grass for its entire dis- tance, and its very summit is crowned with one of the finest cattle ranges in the mountains. The
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
waters of the creek flowing naturally along its summit down its eastern slope to the Big Hole river, are carried by ditches and races over its western slope, for mining purposes, into the beautiful valley of the Deer Lodge, thus contrib- uting to swell on the one side the volume of the Missouri, and on the other, that of the Columbia. The broad savannas which spread away on either side of this remarkable passage lend enchantment to a shifting and ever-varying scene of mountain beauties not excelled upon the continent.
Just before daylight, Broadwater began to descend the declivity at whose foot flowed one of the forming streams of the Deer Lodge river. Glimpses of the valley could be obtained at every bend in the tortuous road. Day was just break- ing, and the perpetual snow on the distant peak of Mount Powell shone dimly through the haze. He was congratulating himself that the dangers of his trip were over, and he could complete it by a leisurely ride through one of the most delight- ful valleys in the world. These thoughts received a sudden check when, turning an abrupt angle in the road, he saw seated by a camp fire, the very persons, as he then felt, against whom Moore had warned him. One of them, George Ives, was regarded as the most daring ruffian in the moun-
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
tains ; the other, Johnny Cooper, was known to be one of his chosen associates. They manifested great surprise at his approach. The quick eye of Broadwater took in all the advantages of the sit- uation. He saw their horses feeding upon the foot-hills, two or three miles away, and knew if he had been expected so soon, they would have been saddled and ready for pursuit. They hailed him as he passed, urged him to wait until they could get their horses, and they would accompany him, telling him that as the road agents were abroad, it would be safer for him to do so. He replied that he was in a hurry, and as his horse was jaded with travel, they would soon overtake him, - and rode slowly on. To allay suspicion, he alighted from his horse and led him slowly up a steep hill, looking back when under way to the top, and calling to them, -
"Get up your horses : you can overtake me over the hill."
The horse, which was greatly fatigued, was favored by this device. Broadwater felt all the peril of his situation, and knew that nothing but coolness and decision could save him. He was twenty miles from the second crossing of the Deer Lodge, where a Frenchman by the name of David Contway, was living with his Indian wife, prepar-
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
ing to take up a ranche. This was the nearest place of safety. Casting another glance at the freebooters, he saw, as he passed over the sum- mit of the hill, that they were making active preparations to pursue him. There was no time to be lost. It was to be a race for life, and his chances for escape depended upon the advantage he could win during the brief period his pursuers would require in getting ready to start. As soon as he was lost to their sight he remounted his horse, and, spurring him to his utmost speed, descended into the broad and open valley. His course now lay over a level plain denuded of trees, and rank with prairie vegetation. Every move- ment he made within any attainable distance, he knew would be seen by the men who were on his track. The clumps of willow which defined the course of the river were too small to afford even temporary shelter. His horse, liable at any mo- ment to give out, obeyed the urgency of the occa- sion, under whip and spur, with great reluctance. But his rider kept him up to his speed, more than once inclined to diverge from the trail toward the pine forest, which covered the foot-hills, four or five miles distant, on either side of the valley, and seek a covert there. When half the distance had been travelled, he looked back, and amid a cloud
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
of dust, less than three miles away, he saw the robbers in full pursuit, seemingly gaining rapidly upon him. His poor, panting steed, whose sides were bleeding from the frequent lacerations of the spur, seemed on the point of exhaustion, and the thirty pounds of gold dust strapped to his person bore with terrible weight upon him. But there was no time to calculate any other chance for es- cape, than that of reaching the goal. On and on he spurred the jaded animal, often casting furtive glances back at the approaching death, and ex- pecting at every turn in the trail, to feel the fatal bullet. At length the little lodge of Contway peered above the willows. The horse renewed his vigor at the sight. The hurrying tramp of the pursuers was heard in the rear. A last and desperate effort was made to urge the horse to greater speed, and he dashed up to the door, fall- ing, on his arrival, with complete exhaustion. He was ruined, - but he had saved the life of his master. Ives and Cooper, less than fifty rods be- hind, reined their horses to a walk, and rode slowly up, while Broadwater was removing the saddle from his broken-down animal. Their horses were foaming with perspiration.
" Well, you beat us on the ride," said Ives, addressing Broadwater.
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
" Yes," replied Broadwater : "you must have had trouble in catching your horses. I travelled slowly at first, but as you didn't come up, and I was anxious to get through, I afterwards hurried."
The coolness of this colloquy betrayed to nei- ther party what was passing in the mind of the other.
The horses were all turned out upon the adja- cent hills, and the three men shared alike the hospitality of Contway. But the race was only half finished. Twenty miles of distance inter- vened between Contway's and Deer Lodge, and how to pass over it, and escape with life, was the momentous question for Broadwater to solve. As a measurement of wit between himself and the ruffians, it involved consequences too impor- tant for any pride in the strife. It was simply a matter of life or death with him, with the added certainty that the smallest mistake in his calcula- tions would end in the latter. He knew that in Contway's herd was one of the fleetest horses in the Territory. Unobserved by his pursuers, he contrived to inform Contway of his situation, and found him ready to assist in his escape, by all means in his power.
"Go and saddle Charley," said Broadwater, " and bring him up, on the pretence that you are
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
going after your cows. Do it immediately ; and after he is hitched, I will ask you, in the presence of these men, for permission to ride him to Deer Lodge. With your assent, reluctantly given, I will mount and ride away, while their horses are grazing on the foot-hills."
" Zat is all ver' goot," replied Contway. "By Gar, you have got him fixed all right :"-and away he went, returning in a quarter of an hour, mounted on a horse of great strength and beauty. Hitching him to a post in front of his lodge, he made the remark that his cows had been missing for a day or two, and he must go in pursuit of them.
" Ho! Contway," said Broadwater, " that is the very horse I want to complete my trip. My own is broken down, and I will leave him in your care, and return this one to you by the first opportu- nity." "
" By Gar, I don't know," replied Contway : " zat horse is great favorite. I would not have him hurt for anything."
"But I'll pay you well," said Broadwater. "I'm in a great hurry to get home. Let me take him, - that's a good fellow. If I hurt him, I'll pay you your own price."
" You say zat here, before zese men. Zey will
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Broadwater's Stratagem.
remember, and on zose conditions you may take ze horse."
It was but the work of a moment for Broad- water to change saddles and mount.
" Hold on, Broad," said Ives. "This is no way to leave a fellow. Wait till we get up our horses, and we'll all ride on together. It'll be more sociable."
"Should be glad to do so, George, but it is of the utmost importance that I reach Deer Lodge as soon as possible. I cannot wait; but if you will get up your horses, and ride fast enough, you'll overtake me."
So saying, Broadwater put spurs to his horse, and rode the twenty miles at a double-quick pace, arriving at Deer Lodge a little after two o'clock, completing the entire trip of one hundred and seven miles from Bannack to Deer Lodge, includ- ing stoppages, in eighteen hours. Ives and Cooper, finding themselves outwitted, followed leisurely, arriving early in the evening.
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Organization of the Roughs.
CHAPTER XXII.
ORGANIZATION OF THE ROUGHS.
PLUMMER'S SKILL WITH HIS LEFT HAND - SELECTS PHLEGER FOR A VICTIM - FAILS TO EMBROIL HIM IN A QUARREL - ELLIS THREATENED - ESCAPES TO THE MISSOURI - PLUMMER AND JUDGE DANCE - PLUM- MER ROBS DAVENPORT - INDIFFERENCE OF THE MI- NERS - THOROUGH ORGANIZATION OF THE ROUGHS - DEPREDATIONS IN TOWN -QUARREL BETWEEN BAN- FIELD AND SAPP -DEATH OF CARRHART - MOORE'S INTERFERENCE AND RECKLESSNESS - CONTEMPLATED ATTACK UPON WINNEMUCK'S BAND - RESCUE OF A WHITE CAPTIVE FROM THE INDIANS - BUCK STINSON'S BARBAROUS MURDER OF "OLD SNAG," A BANNACK CHIEF.
WHILE recovering from his wound, Plummer, by constant practice, had acquired an expertness in the use of the pistol with his left hand, nearly equal to that of which Crawford's shot had de- prived him. Crawford being out of his way, he was not satisfied that the quarrel which had ter- minated so injuriously to him should be propi- tiated without redress. He accordingly selected
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Organization of the Roughs.
Phleger for a victim. With every outward demon- stration of friendship, he would, whenever they met, press him to drink, or to an interchange of such other civilities as would bring them together, and afford opportunity or pretence for sudden quarrel. Phleger never accepted any of these invitations, without his hand upon his pistol. Plummer, often when in company with Phleger, would make an ostentatious display of his regard for him. "Once," said he, " Harry, I would have killed you ; but I could not now, when I think matters all over, find it in my nature to injure any true man, who would stand by another as you did by Crawford." Phleger could not be flattered by these honeyed words, even into mo- mentary forgetfulness of the diabolical motives which prompted them. He maintained a quiet but unmistakable attitude of defence. He was freighting at this time, and had several teamsters in his employ.
" If," said he to them, "Plummer or any of his associates come for me, and I make the first shot and you fail to make the second, I'll shoot you. Just remember that."
On one occasion, Plummer, as if for an excuse to draw his pistol, commenced talking of its merits to Plileger, who also drew his upon the
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Organization of the Roughs.
instant. In the course of the conversation, Plummer, while illustrating some quality of the weapon, pointed it directly at Phleger ; but when he saw the muzzle of Phleger's at the same mo- ment directed at his heart, he took the hint, sheathed his pistol, and departed. Phleger was not afterwards troubled with his attentions.
A miner by the name of Ellis, who had given important testimony against Moore and Reeves, by whom he was wounded in the mêlée which re- sulted in the death of Cazette, was next singled out for slaughter. He owned a mining claim in the gulch, which he was working with the hope of speedily acquiring means to take him from the country. Cyrus Skinner, a noted ruffian, as- saulted him while on his way to the claim, and beat him unmercifully. He left him with the as- surance that if he ever saw him in the town he would kill him. Through fear that he or some of his associates would execute this threat, he used to steal out of his cabin and go to his work by an old game trail over the spur of the moun- tain, to escape observation. But his steps were dogged. He could not move in any direction without a rough upon his track, watching for an opportunity to shoot him. His life was rendered miserable by the conviction that he was liable at
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Organization of the Roughs.
any moment to secret assassination. Resolved to escape if possible, he left for Fort Benton. The roughs soon discovered his absence, and sent three or four of their number in pursuit of him. He foiled them by turning from the main trail into an unexplored region. After several days he reached the Missouri river below Benton, where he constructed a wigwam in which he dwelt, subsisting upon roots, berries, and the rem- nants of his provisions, until the Mackinaw boats descended the river from Fort Benton in the spring. Hailing one of them he was taken on board, and returned in safety to the States.
The writer of this history was early marked for summary retaliation. I had disappointed the expectations of the roughs at the trial of Moore and Reeves, by voting for the death penalty, after having supported their demand for a jury. They made no secret of their threats against my life, and that of my friend, Judge Walter B. Dance. We never went to our claims without a loaded gun and a revolver. Dance, being a man of great physical strength, and courage to match, was not one to be easily frightened. In personal contest he would have proved more than a match for the strongest of his enemies. On one occasion, when Judge Dance and I were quietly walking down
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Organization of the Roughs.
the street, we saw Plummer approaching. Dance drew a small bowie-knife, and picking up a. stick, commenced whittling. Plummer came up, and casting a suspicious glance at the knife, asked, -
" Judge, why do you always begin to whittle when you meet me ? "
The answer, accompanied by a look of blended sternness and indignation, came promptly, -
" Because, sir, I never intend that you shall get the advantage of me. You know my opinion of you and your friends. I will not be shot down like a dog by any of you, if I can help it."
The roughs held Dance in great fear. To those qualities I have mentioned, he added re- markable force of character. He was bold and fearless in his expression of opinion, and they well understood that no man in the settlement could wield a stronger influence over the minds of the community, in support of law and order, and the prompt punishment of crime.
Moore and Reeves had now returned. The storm of indignation which had driven them out, was succeeded by a calm of sluggish incertitude. The prominent actors in that event, abandoned by those upon whose support they had depended, were obliged to protect themselves as best they
JUDGE WALTER B. DANCE. Miners' Judge at Bannack.
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Organization of the Roughs.
could against the persecutions and bloody designs of their vindictive enemies. No true spirit of reform had yet animated the people. When appealed to for combination and resistance to the fearful power now growing into an absolute and bloody dictatorship, they based their refusal upon selfish and personal considerations. They could not act without endangering their lives. They intended to leave the country as soon as their claims were worked out. They would be driven from their claims, and robbed of all they had taken from them, if they engaged in any active opposition to the roughs; whereas, if they re- mained passive, and attended to their own busi- ness, there was a chance for them to take their money back to their families. It was impossible to assemble a meeting for the purpose of consid- ering and discussing with safety, the condition and exposure of the people.
Meantime the roughs were thoroughly organ- ized, and were carrying out their plans for whole- sale plunder in every direction. Every day added to the number and magnitude of their depreda- tions. The Walla Walla express had been robbed, as it afterwards appeared, by Plummer's direction. An attempt to rob the store of Higgins and Worden at Missoula would have succeeded, had
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Organization of the Roughs.
not the merchants been apprised of it, in time to conceal their gold.
A man by the name of Davenport, who, it was known to the roughs, had a little money in Ban- nack, left with his wife, intending to go to Ben- ton, and thence by steamboat to the States. They stopped to lunch at the springs between Bannack and Rattlesnake. A man whose face was con- cealed, came from behind a pile of rocks standing near, drew a revolver, and presenting it, demanded their money. Mrs. Davenport asked, -
" Who are you ?"
He replied, " The Robber of the Glen."
"Oh !" she said inquiringly, " are you Johnny Glenn ? "
" No," he answered. "I'm the Robber of the Glen, and want your money."
Mrs. Davenport surrendered the three purses containing the money, together with her gold watch, remarking as she did so, that two of the purses and the watch belonged to her. With much gallantry of manner the robber restored them to her immediately, retaining only the single purse belonging to her husband. The plundered couple then proceeded to Benton, and Mrs. Davenport secured an early passage to the States. They never knew who the robber was.
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Organization of the Roughs.
While confined with his wound, Plummer repeatedly asked permission of Doctor Glick to take a ride on horseback. The necessity for quiet while the wound was healing obliged the doctor invariably to refuse him. One morning he called as usual to see how the cure was progressing, and Plummer was not at home. The doctor supposed he had gone out into the town, and at a later hour called, and, on examination of the wound, was satisfied that he had been taking violent exercise. On questioning him, Plummer, who knew that the doctor dared not betray him, told him of the robbery of Davenport, which he had that day committed.
The robbers next broke into and rifled a bakery belonging to one Le Grau, a Frenchman, who lived on a back street in Bannack. Preparations were made for burning the house, but the design was not carried out.
While atrocities like these were daily increas- ing, a reign of terror more fearful in character and results pervaded the settlement. Every man's life was endangered by the free and reckless use of fire-arms. The crack of pistols and guns, which weapons were always the first resort of the roughs in settling disputes, was heard at all hours of the day and night, in the saloon and restaurant.
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Organization of the Roughs.
Frequent and bloody affrays among themselves, often terminated in the death of one or both of the parties engaged, and sometimes of one or more of those who happened to be within range of the reckless firing while the quarrel was in progress. It was dangerous to pass along the streets, where stray bullets were not an exception, more dangerous still to attempt to allay a broil among desperadoes, who settled all difficulties with bowie-knives and revolvers.
On one of the days of this dismal period, two young men, named Banfield and Sapp, the first a gambler, the latter a miner, engaged in a game of poker in Cyrus Skinner's saloon. During the game, Sapp saw Banfield abstract a card from the deck, by the aid of which he was enabled to declare a "flush " hand. He charged him with the theft. Jumping to his feet, Banfield drew his revolver, which he levelled at the head of his antagonist, who was unarmed. Jack Russell, who was watching the game, now interfered, and quiet being restored, the men resumed play. In a few moments Sapp again charged Banfield with cheat- ing. Banfield fired at him without effect. Sapp being unarmed, Dr. Bissell thrust a revolver into his hand, and the two men at once engaged in a pistol fight, dodging around the posts which sup-
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Organization of the Roughs.
ported the roof, and firing at random until their revolvers were emptied. They then clinched, and Russell tried to separate them. Moore and Reeves were in one of the bunks fastened to the wall of the saloon, asleep. Roused by the firing both got up, and Moore, pistol in hand, at once joined in the fight. Placing the muzzle of his revolver in Russell's ear, he pulled the trigger, and the cap failing to explode, he pulled a second time, with a like result. So rapid had been the movements of Moore, that it was not until after the second failure that Russell could turn his face toward him and exclaim, -
" What do you mean ? "
Moore, who had not recognized him until that moment, dropped his arm, replying, -
" Oh, is that you, Jack ?"
Russell said in explanation, -
" These are friends of mine, and I want them to stop quarrelling."
Moore now assisted Russell, and they succeeded in a few minutes in separating the combatants.
" Let's all take a drink," said Moore, " and be friends."
To this Sapp and Banfield, as neither had in- jured the other, assented. As they stood with their glasses raised, Moore heard a groan, and
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Organization of the Roughs.
going towards the table, saw Buz Cavan's dog just expiring.
" Boys," said he, turning towards the two reconciled men who were waiting for him to rejoin them at the bar, "you've killed a dog."
Banfield called immediately for more drinks, when another groan was heard. On going to the bunk from whence it came, they found George Carrhart writhing in extreme agony. Dr. Bissell lifted him from the bunk to the table, and after a brief examination of his body and pulse, made the announcement, -
" He is dying."
Moore who stood by, on hearing this, called to Reeves and Forbes who were standing in another part of the room, -
" Boys, they have shot Carrhart," and with an emphatic stroke of his fist upon the counter, he added with an oath, -
"Let's kill 'em," simultaneously raising his pistol and firing at both Sapp and Banfield. Rus- sell at the moment seized his arm, with a view to prevent his shooting, and in the struggle mis- directed his aim. Meanwhile, Reeves fired at Banfield, who dodged under a table and crept out of the back door with a shot in his knee. Sapp, wounded in the little finger, also retreated under
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Organization of the Roughs.
the fire of the road agents, - a friend, Goliah Reilly, rushing to his assistance, who also, upon turning to escape, received a bullet in his heel.
George Carrhart was a fine-looking, intelligent, gentlemanly man. He had been a member of the legislature of one of the Western States. Whiskey transformed him into a rowdy, made the company of ruffians congenial, and led him on to his unfortunate fate.
Dick Sapp was a brave, generous young man, and very popular with the people. The next morning, accompanied by several Colorado friends, he returned to Skinner's saloon. Skinner, who had seconded without participating in the attempt of Moore and Reeves to kill him the evening before, when he saw him enter, was alarmed for his own safety, and sought to propitiate him by inviting him and his friends to drink with him.
" No," said Sapp, " I want none of your whis- key. Last night I came here unarmed to indulge in a little game of poker, and you all tried to kill me. Now I'm here to fight you all, singly, and I've brought some friends, to see that I have fair play."
Moore and Skinner apologized, and begged him to overlook it; but Sapp refused to accept their
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Organization of the Roughs.
apologies, and left. Afterwards some friends of Moore and Skinner, at their request, went to Sapp, and with no little difficulty effected a reconciliation.
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