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 22
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 22
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 22
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 22
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 22
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Leroy Southmayd.
time alluded to, in case Ives manifested such a design.
Meantime, Southmayd, having finished his business at Bannack, was ready to return to Virginia City by the next coach. His friends were importunate for him to remain. On the day he was to leave, Buck Stinson and Ned Ray, on be- ing told of it at the express-office, avowed their intention of accompanying him. The agent then searched for Southmayd, and said to him, -
"For God's sake, Leroy, don't go. These fellows mean to kill you."
" I've got to go," replied Southmayd ; " and if you'll get me a double-barrelled shot-gun, I'll take my chances." The agent complied with this request, and the coach left Bannack with South- mayd, Stinson, Ray, and a lad of sixteen years for passengers, and Tom Caldwell the driver. The coach was an open hack. Southmayd sat on the driver's seat with Caldwell, and the boy took the back seat, and facing him were Stinson and Ray on the middle seat. Southmayd said to the boy on starting, -
" If we have any trouble, do you shoot, or I'll choot you."
" You may be sure I'll do it, too, Southmayd," said the boy. "I'm not afraid of them."
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Leroy Southmayd.
Southmayd kept watch of the two robbers. The drive through the day was undisturbed, until the coach reached the crossing of the Stinking- Water. In the three persons standing in front of the station, Southmayd recognized Bob Zachary, Bill Graves, and another noted rough known as Alex Carter. Stinson shouted, addressing them as road agents. Each was fully armed with gun, pistol, and knife. Southmayd whispered to Caldwell, -
" Tom, I guess they've got us."
" That's so," replied Caldwell.
Caldwell drove on to Cold Spring station fol- lowed by the three roughs on horseback, who soon came up. This was the supper station. Two of the robbers left their guns at the door. Carter's was strung upon his back. They entered the house in a boisterous manner, with Zachary, feigning drunkenness, in their lead.
"I'd like," said that ruffian with brutal empha- sis and gesture, " to see the man who don't like Stone." The banter was made for the purpose of exciting a quarrel. " Just show me the man that don't like him, or let any man here just say he don't like him, if he wants a healthy fight on his hands," blustered the villain.
No one replied. Seemingly every one present
423
Leroy Southmayd.
entertained a high opinion of Mr. Stone. Failing to rouse a quarrel, he ordered " drinks all round," bought a bottle of whiskey, and preserved the swagger and braggadocio of a drunken ruffian through supper time.
After supper, and while preparing to leave, Southmayd said privately to Caldwell, -
"Tom, I see through it all. You must take Stinson on the seat with you. I'll sit behind and watch him, and the boy can watch Ray."
When ready to start, and this arrangement was made known to Buck Stinson, he did not relish it, and said, -
"I don't want to ride up there."
" Well, you will," replied Southmayd sternly, pointing to the seat.
"This is pretty rough, isn't it?" said Stinson with an oath, as he mounted to the seat.
The three mounted ruffians, Zachary, Graves, and Carter, started on in advance of the coach. Southmayd and the boy sat with their guns across their knees, watching the motions of their sus- pected companions. vas near nightfall. Les than half a mile distant from the station, the robbers, who had been riding at an even pace, suddenly wheeled, and in a loud tone gave the command to halt, simultaneously with which,
424
Leroy Southmayd.
Southmayd levelled his gun upon Carter, and Caldwell and the boy theirs on the other two ruffians.
Carter, stammering with alarm, made out to say, " We only want you to take a drink."
The bottle was passed around, Southmayd and Caldwell barely touching it to their lips. Hand- ing it to the boy, Southmayd gave him an admonitory touch with his foot, - comprehending which, he did not drink. As Carter had not drunk from the bottle, Southmayd feared that the liquor had been poisoned. Returning the bottle, the roughs who received it inquired politely if they did not want any more. The three then wheeled their horses, exclaiming, -
" We're off to Pete Daly's," and, clapping spurs to their horses, they were soon out of sight.
The coach went on six miles, passed Daly's ranche, and drew up at Lorrain's. From this ranche to Virginia City, the road for most of the distance is rough, narrow, and lies through the canon of Alder Gulch. Nature never formed a fitter stretch of country for successful robbery. Of this our passengers were fully aware, and, anticipating that the designs of the robbers must culminate on this part of the route, Southmayd
425
Leroy Southmayd.
took Caldwell aside to consult as to the proper course to pursue.
" It's a rough night's work, Tom," said South- mayd, " but the worst is to come. If they attack us in the cañon, there is no possible chance for escape."
" They'll do it, sure," replied Caldwell. "It's only driving into their hands to attempt to go on to-night. Let's leave the coach here and take to the brush. We may then avoid them ; or if we meet, it will be where the chances are equal."
Buck Stinson, who had been on the watch for some new arrangement, overheard this conversa- tion. Anxious as he was that the robbery and murder should take place, he knew that if the men escaped, as they assuredly would by the means contemplated, they would bring the whole community of Virginia City on the track of him- self and his fellow ruffians. This must be avoided even though they were frustrated in their design. So he stepped forward, and said to Southmayd and Caldwell in his blandest manner, -
" Gentlemen, I pledge you my word, my honor, and my life, that you will not be attacked between this place and Virginia City."
"If you mean that," replied Southmayd, " we
426
Leroy Southmayd.
will go on ; but if we are attacked, we will cer- tainly make it hot for some of you."
Soon after the horses started, Stinson commenced singing in a very loud voice, and continued to do so without intermission until nearly exhausted. Then, at his request, Ray took up the chorus and kept it up until their arrival in Virginia City. This was a signal to the robbers to keep away. Had the singing ceased, the attack would have been made. Ray called on Southmayd the next day, and warned him, as he valued his life, to mention the names of none of those among the ruffians whom he had recognized, as the ones who robbed him while on his way to Bannack.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
VIGILANTE DAYS AND WAYS. VOL. II.
A VIGILANTE EXECUTION.
VIGILANTE DAYS AND WAYS
THE PIONEERS OF THE ROCKIES
THE MAKERS AND MAKING OF MONTANA, IDAHO, OREGON, WASHINGTON, AND WYOMING
BY Nathaniel Pitt Langford
WITH PORTRAITS AND ILLUSTRATIONS IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. II
D. D. Merrill Company Heto Work and Saint Paul 1893
COPYRIGHT, 1890, BY NATHANIEL PITT LANGFORD.
All rights reserved.
CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
PAGE
CHAPTER I .- JOURNEY TO SALT LAKE.
Oliver's Express to Salt Lake -Hauser and the Writer contemplate a Trip to the States - Wri- ter goes to Bannack - Is detained by Injury - Stinson and Ray on the Scent - Money to be conveyed to St. Louis - Hauser and Plummer arrive from Virginia City - Hauser's Stratagem -- Engage Passage to Salt Lake - Robbers in Pur- suit- First Night Out-Incidents of the Journey 1
CHAPTER II .- COL. SANDERS AND GALLAGHER.
Rumors of Silver Lode Discoveries - Plummer leaves Bannack for Rattlesnake - Followed by Colonel Sanders - A Ruse - Arrival of Jack Gallagher - Seeks a Quarrel with Sanders - Good Feeling restored in the Usual Way -Sanders summoned back to Bannack - Anxiety for his Safety - Henry Tilden's Narrative - Plummer's Craftiness
CHAPTER III .- ROBBERY OF MOODY'S TRAIN. Robbery of Moody's train by Dutch John and Steve Marshland - First Meeting of the Robbers in Black Tail Deer Canon - Second Meeting and
18
vi
Contents.
PAGE
Attack on Red Rock Divide - Both Robbers wounded and escape - Reprisals by the Pursuing Party 37
CHAPTER IV .- GEORGE IVES.
History of George Ives - Robberies and Murders committed by him - Murder of Tiebalt - A Company pursue Ives from Nevada - He is captured - Escape - Recapture - Is brought in Safety to Nevada . . 46
CHAPTER V .- TRIAL OF GEORGE IVES. Trial of George Ives - Attempts to prove an Alibi - Long John turns State's Evidence - Suspense - Fearlessness of Colonel Sanders - Conviction - Appeals for Delay -A Rescue Imminent - Execution 66
CHAPTER VI .- RESULT OF IVES'S EXECUTION. Effect of Ives's Execution - Long John and " Tex " acquitted - George Hilderman tried, convicted, and banished - Formation of a Vigilance Com- mittee - Pursuit of Alex Carter - Meet with Yager ("Red") in Deer Lodge - Disappointment - Return by Way of Point of Rocks - Arrest of " Red" at Rattlesnake, and of Brown at Demp- sey's -" Red " discloses the Names of Many of the Members of Plummer's Band - "Red" and Brown executed on the Pas-sam-a-ri 77
CHAPTER VII .- LLOYD MAGRUDER.
Hill Beachy's Dream - Lloyd Magruder's Trip from
vii
Contents.
PAGE
Lewiston to Bannack - Followed by Howard, Romaine, Lowry, Page, and Zachary -Completes his Sales at Virginia City, and sets out on his Return - Howard, Lowry, Romaine, and Page employed as Assistants on the Route -The Brothers Chalmers, Charles Allen, and Edward Phillips, accompany them - Murder of Magruder, the Chalmers Brothers, Phillips, and Allen -- Subsequent Plunder of the Train -Cruel Slaughter of the Herd - Robbers foiled in attempting to cross the Columbia River - They arrive at Lewis- ton - Recognized by Beachy - Leave Lewiston
CHAPTER VIII .- HILL BEACHY.
Beachy's Devices to ferret out the Murder - His Trip up Snake River with Tom Farrell -Dis- appointment - Finds the Animals ridden by the Murderers - The Story of the Saddle -The In- dian Boy - Recognition of the Horse - Beachy's Pursuit of the Robbers - Providential Occurrences - Arrival at Portland - Successful Ruse -De- parture Overland for San Francisco - Telegraphs from Yreka - Robbers arrested -The Law's Delay - Return with Prisoners - Page admitted as State's Evidence - Conviction and Execution of Howard, Lowry, and Romaine -- Violent Death of Page . . 117
CHAPTER IX .- HOWIE AND FETHERSTUN. Fluttering among the Robbers - Dutch John's Attempted Escape - Arrest by Neil Howie in Beaver Canon - Howie and Fetherstun convey
97
viii
Contents.
PAGE
him to Bannack - Incidents by the way, and at Bannack - Dutch John examined and adjudged Guilty - Fetherstun takes him in Custody . 145
CHAPTER X .- EXECUTION OF PLUMMER. Reaction in Public Sentiment - Miners all become Vigilantes - Alarm of Plummer -- Messengers to Bannack - Arrest and Execution of Plummer, Ray, and Stinson - Interview with Plummer's Brother - Plummer's Craftiness . . 162
CHAPTER XI. - DEATH OF PIZANTHIA.
Attack upon the Cabin of Jo Pizanthia, a Mexican Freebooter- He shoots George Copley and Smith Ball - Copley dies of the Wound -Outraged Citizens shell the Cabin - Pizanthia's Capture effected with much Difficulty - His Body is rid- dled with Bullets while he is being hanged - The Cabin fired, and the Body burned to Ashes . . 173
CHAPTER XII .- EXECUTION OF DUTCH JOHN . 179
CHAPTER XIII. - VIRGINIA CITY EXECUTIONS.
Virginia City surrounded by Vigilantes from all Parts of the Gulch -Frank Parish, Boone Helm, "Clubfoot George," Jack Gallagher, and Hayes Lyons arrested, tried, and executed- Bill Hunter escapes through the Line of Guards . 184
CHAPTER XIV. - PURSUIT OF ROAD AGENTS. Pursuit, Capture, and Execution of Steve Marsh- land, Bill Bunton, Cyrus Skinner, Alex Carter,
ix
Contents.
PAGE
Johnny Cooper, George Shears, and Bob Zachary - Incidents by the way . 207
CHAPTER XV. - EXECUTION OF HUNTER.
Search for Bill Hunter - His Place of Concealment discovered -Party start in Pursuit - Incidents by the way - Arrival at the Cabin - Arrest - Start for Virginia City - Consultation - Execu- tion- Reflections . . 224
CHAPTER XVI. - THE STRANGER'S STORY.
Preparations for a Home - Disasters - Disappoint- ments - Hermit Life- Boone Helm - His De- parture - A Strange Visitant - Romantic His- tory - Return of Helm and two Companions - His Murderous Designs thwarted - Return to Civilization - Meeting with Benefactress . 235
CHAPTER XVII. - WHITE AND DORSETT.
Prospecting on the Big Boulder - John White and Rudolph Dorsett - They find one Kelley in Dis- tress - All return to Virginia City - Prepara- tions for returning to the Boulder - Kelley de- layed - The Stolen Mule - Departure of Dorsett - Anxiety for his Safety - Meeting of Kelley by a Stranger - Thompson and Rumsey set out in Search of Dorsett and White - Discovery of their Bodies - Pursuit of Kelley - He flees to Portland, Ore., thence to San Francisco - Thomp- son foiled - Kelley returns to Portland - In Port Neuf Canon Robbery
. 257
X
Contents.
PAGE
CHAPTER XVIII. - LANGFORD PEEL.
Suffering in Kansas in the Winter of 1856- Peel's Kindness to Conley and Rucker - Their Ingrati- tude-Peel's Destitution - Robinson's Generos- ity -Death of Rucker- Peel wounded-Threat- ened with Death - Escapes to California - Downward Career - Arrives at Carson City - Prize Fight and Death of Muchacho - Peel fights Dick Paddock - Kills El Dorado Johnny in a Fight - Principles of the Roughs - Peel suffers Lannan to arrest him -Character of Nevada Roughs - Fight between Barnhardt and Peasley - Both killed - Character of Peasley - Peel leaves Nevada - Goes to Salt Lake, and thence to Helena -Quarrel with John Bull - Is killed by him - Inscription on his Tombstone . 270
CHAPTER XIX. - JOSEPH A. SLADE.
Overland Stage Route - Desperate Employes - Jules Reni - Jules shoots Slade - Slade resolves to kill Jules - Carries his Resolve into Effect - Comes to Virginia City - Quarrel with the Writer - Encounter with Bob Scott- Lawlessness in Virginia City - Threatens the Life of Judge Davis - Vigilantes assemble - Arrest of Slade - His Execution . 288
CHAPTER XX. - A MODERN HAMAN.
Beidler - Woman for Breakfast - Mysterious Mur- der of a Chinawoman in Helena - Arrest and Discharge of Hanson - Claggett's Rifle- Elec- tion Day -Effects of Negro Suffrage - Murder
xi
Contents.
PAGE
of Hayes by Leach - Arrest of Leach by X. - Hynson's Conduct on the Occasion and afterwards - X. suspects Hynson of the Murder of the Chinawoman - Finds Claggett's Rifle in his Pos- session, and restores it to the Owner - Arrests Hynson - He is put in Jail - His Threats - Cowardly Conduct when released by John Fether- stun - Threatens X. - Goes to Benton - Cow- ardice and Humiliation on meeting X. - Asks his Assistance, and receives a Place as Night Watchman - Gets a Job and betrays his Trust - X. makes a Seizure as Marshal - Abusive Treat- ment of Williams by Hynson - Hynson builds a Scaffold, and is hanged thereon - Letter from his Mother . . 321
CHAPTER XXI. - JAMES DANIELS.
Career in California - Murder of Gartley - Ar- rested by the Vigilantes - Fried by Court and found Guilty of Manslaughter - Sentence - Par- don - Hung by the Vigilantes - Vigilantes in the Wrong . 336
CHAPTER XXII. - DAVID OPDYKE.
Early Life of Opdyke- His Wandering and Success in Mining - Appearance in Boise City - Public Suspicion - His Stable Headquarters for the Roughs of the Territory - History of Parks - His Murder and Robbery by the " Opdyke Gang" - Opdyke's Complicity in the Port Neuf Rob- bery - Frank Johnson - Beech - Hank Buckner the Murderer of Brown - His Mysterious Escape
xii
Contents.
PAGE
from Montana - Appearance in Idaho - Neil Howie sent to return him to Montana - Fails - Opdyke elected Sheriff -Contemplates Destruc- tion of Payette Vigilantes - Humiliating Results - Is a Defaulter and prosecuted - Pays the De- falcation - Threatens Grand Jury - Indian Ex- pedition - Opdyke Leader- Aden's Pack Train -Opdyke claims it, and is defeated on Raymond's Testimony - Clarke shoots Raymond -Is hung by the Citizens -- Vengeance threatened by the "Opdyke Gang" - Vigilant Measures of Citizens - Roughs disappear -- Opdyke and Dixon leave Boise City - Are followed by Vigilantes and hung - Breaking up of the " Gang "
. 340
CHAPTER XXIII .- SAN ANDREAS IN 1849. San Andreas - The Mexicans - Disappearance of Captain Ben Osborne - The Fonda - Mexican Prospecting Party - Pursuit - The Mexican Camp surrounded - Examinations - The Cuban - A Pathetic Appeal -Successful Ruse -Confession -Return to San Andreas-The Fonda deserted - Discovery of the Body of Captain Osborne - Escape of his Murderers . 354
CHAPTER XXIV .- AN INTERESTING ADVENTURE. Routes of Yellowstone and Missouri in Mackinaws - Description of Yellowstone - Wonders at its Source - Lower Cañon - Remarkable Erosions --- Pompey's Pillar - Bad Lands - Three Forks - Great Falls -Gate of the Mountains-Fort Ben- ton - Jack Simmons's Narrative - Johnny -
Contents.
xiii
PAGE
Eroded Rocks - Fight with Grizzlies - Herd of Buffaloes - Wood-cutters - Battle with the Sioux -Indian Mode of making Medicine - War Dance -- Terrible Onslaught - Departure and Death Wail of the Indians - Johnny on the Watch - Fort Buford - Hospitable Reception - Arrival of the "Luella" - Johnny's Story - A Start- ling Revelation . 373
CHAPTER XXV .- THE STAGE COACH.
Holliday's Overland - Hazardous Journeyings -
Port Neuf Cañon - Massacre of 1865 - Treach- ery of the Driver - Santa Fe Route - Mexican Charley - Captured by Road Agents - Robbers foiled - Strange Disclosure - Boise Route -- " Dowdle Bill "- Ludicrous Funeral Services . 417
CHAPTER XXVI .- RETROSPECTION . 446
INDEX
. 455
ILLUSTRATIONS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.
Designed and engraved under the supervision of George T. Andrew.
A VIGILANTE EXECUTION
. Frontispiece
PAGE
HEAD OF PACK MULE Title-page
GOVERNOR SAMUEL T. HAUSER, EX-GOVERNOR OF MONTANA 2 .
COLONEL WILBUR F. SANDERS, PRINCIPAL PROSE- CUTOR OF GEORGE IVES 68
HILL BEACHY, LLOYD MAGRUDER'S AVENGER . 117
NEIL HOWIE, CAPTOR OF DUTCH JOHN . . 145
JOHN FETHERSTUN, OVERLAND EXPRESS MESSEN- GER . 161 .
JOHN X. BEIDLER, LEADING VIGILANTE AND EX- PRESS MESSENGER . 321
NATHANIEL PITT LANGFORD . . 417
VIGILANTE DAYS AND WAYS.
CHAPTER I.
JOURNEY TO SALT LAKE.
OLIVER'S EXPRESS TO SALT LAKE -HAUSER AND THE WRITER CONTEMPLATE A TRIP TO THE STATES - WRITER GOES TO BANNACK - IS DETAINED BY IN- JURY - STINSON AND RAY ON THE SCENT - MONEY TO BE CONVEYED TO ST. LOUIS - HAUSER AND PLUM- MER ARRIVE FROM VIRGINIA CITY - HAUSER'S STRAT- AGEM - ENGAGE PASSAGE TO SALT LAKE - ROBBERS IN PURSUIT - FIRST NIGHT OUT - INCIDENTS OF THE JOURNEY.
MR. A. J. OLIVER had been running a letter express between Bannack and Salt Lake City dur- ing the year, and early in the autumn had sub- stituted for a single saddle horse and pack animal, a small lumber wagon, with conveniences for the transportation of a few passengers. It was, at best, a very precarious mode of conveyance; but as it was the only public one, it was always full.
2
Journey to Salt Lake.
Mr. Samuel T. Hauser (afterwards appointed Gov- ernor of Montana by President Cleveland) and I had been for some time contemplating a trip to the States, and being now ready, I left Virginia City for Bannack, expecting to find the express on my arrival, and make arrangements for our passage to Salt Lake on its return trip. The day before I left, one Ed French had shot at me. The bullet slightly grazed an eyeball, doing no further damage than that of shaking the eye in its socket, and inflicting considerable pain. I contracted a severe cold on the ride to Bannack, which settled in the eye, producing inflammation and temporary blindness. For two weeks I shut myself in a dark room, ulceration in the mean time bringing relief, and restoring sight.
While thus confined, friends occasionally called upon me, and one day I was informed that Ned Ray was in town, and had been making particular inquiries after me. The next day I was told that Buck Stinson was there on the same errand. When I left Virginia City, both of these ruffians were at that place. I was convinced that they had left there to pursue me on the road to Salt Lake City. Ray was observed to watch my boarding-house, on repeated occasions, very closely.
Upon applying to Mr. Oliver for transportation,
1
GOVERNOR SAMUEL T. HAUSER, Ex-Governor of Montana.
3
Journey to Salt Lake.
that gentleman informed me that snow was falling on the Pleasant Valley divide, and that he should abandon the wagon and return to Salt Lake with a pack mule. Disappointed in my expectation of finding a conveyance, I wrote to Mr. Hauser, who came over immediately.
Messrs. Dance and Stuart, wholesale merchants of Virginia City, had arranged to send by us to their creditors at St. Louis, fourteen thousand dollars in gold dust. It was contained in a buck- skin sack, and sealed. Clubfoot George, whose honesty none of us suspected, had heard us hold frequent discussions in the store of Dance and Stuart, as to the chances of safely getting through with it to the States.
Hauser was somewhat surprised on entering the coach at Virginia City, to find that he had Plummer for a fellow-passenger. Believing, upon reflection, that Plummer was going to Bannack to plan means for robbing him, he resolved to act as if he had the most implicit confidence in his integrity. He accordingly made no effort to hide the sack from view, or conceal the fact that he was going to the States; talked freely and confidentially, and seemed entirely at ease in Plummer's society. 'The trip was made in safety, though Hauser confessed that while passing
4
Journey to Salt Lake.
through Rattlesnake canon, he did not forget the unenviable notoriety which frequent robberies had gained for it. When the coach drove up to Goodrich's hotel in Bannack, he felt greatly relieved, and with the sack of gold enveloped in the several folds of his blankets, entered the sitting-room, where he was met by some old friends, and, as was customary in those days, con- gratulated on his safe arrival. In a few moments he drew forth the sack, and in the presence of Judge Edgerton and several other leading citizens, turned to Plummer who was standing near, and thus carelessly addressed him : -
" Plummer, I hear that any man who has money isn't safe in this town over-night. I've got fourteen thousand dollars in this bag, which I'm going to take to the States with me when I go, and I want you, as sheriff, to keep it for me till I start."
Plummer took the gold, with a promise for its safe return, which he fulfilled; depositing it for safekeeping in George Crisman's store.
Hauser's friends expressed to him privately their surprise that he should intrust so large an amount to a man of such doubtful reputation.
" Why ?" replied he, laughing: " do you think he'll keep it ?"
5
Journey to Salt Lake.
"I should be afraid of it," said one, " espe- cially if he's the man many represent him to be."
"Suppose he should," said Hauser. "You and half a dozen other good citizens saw him take it, and heard him promise that it should be safely returned. He knows, as well as I do, that if he fails to keep this promise, or through any pretence attempts to appropriate the gold, it will go hard with him; whereas, if I should attempt to keep it, he, with others of the roughs knowing that I had it, would kill me if necessary to obtain it. The gold is safer where it is; and while there, is a security for my life."
This was a bold piece of strategy on the part of Hauser, evincing an intuitive insight into the character of Plummer ; but not one man in a hun- dred similarly situated would have thought of adopting it. If Plummer had entertained an idea that Hauser suspected his motives in accom- panying him to Bannack, this act of gratuitous confidence must have allayed it at once.
Hauser and I engaged a passage to Salt Lake, of one of a company of eight Mormon freighters, who were to leave Bannack at noon of the 14th of November. We did not wish to leave until seven o'clock in the evening; and the man, impa- tient of any delay beyond the departure of his
6
Journey to Salt Lake.
companions, finally agreed, for an extra ten dol- lars paid in advance, to wait for us until five o'clock P.M. If we were not ready then, he would retain the ten dollars, and leave town without us, so as to overtake the other teams, which were to camp that night at Horse Prairie, twelve miles distant. These arrangements were made in George Crisman's store where Plummer had an office, and in the hearing of one of his deputies, who immediately communicated the information to his chief.
Early in the forenoon Plummer called upon Hauser and presented him with a woollen scarf of a bright scarlet color, saying, " You will find it il these cold nights." A few hours after- wards, a report was circulated of the discovery of a silver lode in the vicinity of Rattlesnake. The person bringing in this intelligence, requested Plummer, who from his experience in Nevada was supposed to be a good judge of the quality of silver ore, to go immediately and examine it. He left early in the afternoon on the Rattlesnake road, but as soon as he was beyond observation, turned southward toward Horse Prairie. Col. Wilbur F. Sanders, who soon followed in the direction of Rattlesnake, returned the next day with the intelligence that he had been unable to trace him.
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