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 24
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 24
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 24
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 24
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 24
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After a great deal of negotiating and a good
28
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
many drinks, Gallagher agreed to pay sixty dollars to boot, and they consummated the trade.
Colonel Sanders had been very much disap- pointed at not finding the party he was in search of, and having an opportunity at the close of the horse trade, he inquired of Gallagher if he knew where Plummer was. It seemed to him a harm- less question, and he did not expect any one would become excited by so simple an inquiry, as he lay on his back on the straw tick.
The instant the question was asked, Gallagher jumped from the bar where he was standing to the side of the bed, and placed his cocked revolver at the colonel's head, all the while hurl- ing imprecations upon him, and threatening to " shoot the whole top of his head off."
The result, for the instant, upon the colonel is described by himself as being very peculiar. He said he could count each particular hair in his head, and that it felt like the quill of a porcu- pine. Not enjoying the situation, he made a quick movement, getting his head out of range of Gallagher's revolver, and springing to his feet, in an instant was behind the bar, where " Red " was standing. Sanders seized the shot-gun which was used by Yager in admitting his guests in the night, and levelled it across the bar directly at
29
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
Gallagher. The opportunity which had been afforded Gallagher to shoot Sanders had not been improved by him till it was too late; and as soon as the gun was aimed at him, with an air of bravado he placed his revolver on a pine table that stood near him, the normal use of which was card-playing, and pulling aside his blue soldier's overcoat which he wore, he said, " Shoot."
Colonel Sanders replied that he had no desire to shoot, but if there were any shooting to be done, he did desire to have the first shot.
At this somewhat exciting stage of the game, Bunton, who had hitherto kept silence, repri- manded the actors in this little drama somewhat severely, saying that his partner was at the point of death in the back room, and he would not have any noise in the house.
Yager also joined in the conversation, and deprecated any such difficulty, saying to Gallagher that he was blamable for having been the cause of the disturbance, Gallagher meanwhile standing with his coat open, as if waiting to be shot down.
Yager continued his suave and conciliatory remarks to Gallagher, and said finally that he thought Jack owed Sanders an apology, and that all had better take a drink.
30
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
A double-barrelled shot-gun is a powerful fac. tor in an argument; its logic is irresistible and convincing ; and under its influence Jack finally relented, and said that he guessed he had made a fool of himself, and invited the colonel, who up to this time had maintained a position of hostility, to have a drink; but, becoming satisfied of the sincerity of Gallagher's assurances, he placed the shot-gun behind the bar, and the entire party joined in a pledge of amity over a bottle of " Valley Tan," a liquor well known throughout the mountains, and a production of the Mormons of Salt Lake valley.
Some controversy then arose as to who should pay for the liquor. Yager claimed the privilege, but Gallagher said it was his row, and it should be his treat, and that the man who wouldn't drink with him was no friend of his. The affair was finally compromised by allowing Gallagher to order another bottle of " Valley Tan," and the actors in this scene dared fate by taking another drink. This was, doubtless, the easiest method of settling the difficulty and appeasing the wrath of Gallagher; and my readers will doubtless agree with Sanders in thinking that the circumstances of duress which surrounded him, ought not to impair his standing as a Son of Temperance.
31
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
After this renewed pledge of friendship be- tween all the parties, Yager and Gallagher with- drew to exchange horses, and in a few moments the latter was on the road in pursuit of his com- rades. Yager returned to bed, and all at the ranche were soon sound asleep. About two hours thereafter, there was heard another tumultu- ous rapping at the door, and the voice of some- body, seemingly very angry, demanding admit- tance. Yager exercised the same precaution as before, with his light and gun, and finally opened the door, when in came Jack Gallagher, with his saddle, bridle, blankets, and shot-gun, and threw them all down upon the floor, saying that he had been lost since he left the ranche, that his horse was not good for anything, and he wanted the fire built up.
He was accommodated ; and as there was not room for more than three on the bed, he spread his blankets on the floor at its foot, in front of the fire, and soon all were asleep once more. However, they were not destined to enjoy this peace very long, for shortly after they had all dropped asleep, there came another tumultuous rapping at the door. Yager arose, armed himself once more, and going to the door demanded to know what was wanted. It proved to be Leonard
32
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
A. Gridley and George M. Brown, from Bannack. They inquired for Colonel Sanders, and being informed that he was there, and invited in, they declined, and asked that he come out.
The colonel went out and joined the two men, when he was told that they had been sent by his wife to ascertain his whereabouts and bring him home ; and they related to him the events now to follow.
On the morning of the preceding day, a young man named Henry Tilden, who had accompanied Chief Justice Edgerton and Colonel Sanders from their homes in Ohio to Bannack City, had been sent to Horse Prairie, ten miles south of Bannack, to gather together a herd of cattle owned by them and to drive the same into town.
It was rather late when he left Bannack, and as the cattle were somewhat scattered, night came upon him before he had got them all together. He therefore put those he had found in a corral, and having decided to go to the town and spend the night, and return the next day to find the rest, he started in the darkness for Bannack.
He was a young man used to quiet and peace, and wholly untrained in the experiences he was about to undergo. Midway between Horse Prairie creek and Bannack, as he was riding
33
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
along at a gallop, he saw in front of him several horsemen. He was somewhat startled, as he was not prepared to meet men under such conditions and in such a country. He gathered courage as he rode, and proceeded along the highway until he came up with the horsemen, who produced their revolvers and told him to throw up his hands and dismount, a request with which he quickly complied, notwithstanding the impolite manner in which it was conveyed. They "went through " his pockets, he meanwhile maintaining a very awkward position with his hands in the air above his head. Finding nothing, they told him to mount his horse and proceed on his way, telling him further that if he ever dared to open his mouth about the circumstance, he would be murdered, or, in their expressive language, they would blow the top of his head off.
The young man started towards Bannack, and as soon as he was out of sight of the robbers, rode his horse at its utmost speed.
He finally reached Colonel Sanders's house on what was known as "Yankee Flat," not, however, until he had been thrown from his horse, while crossing a mining ditch, and had lain on the ground for a period of time which he could not himself determine, being unconscious.
34
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
He told his story of having met the robbers, and further stated, that he knew the parties. who had " held him up," particularly one of them, who had held a revolver at his head and who seemed to be a leader among them, and this man was Henry Plummer.
Mrs. Sanders then went with him to the house of Chief Justice Edgerton, where he related again the story of his meeting the highwaymen, and was cautioned to say nothing about it.
As the party whom Colonel Sanders had started to find and travel with had been found going in an opposite direction, and engaged as highway robbers, it naturally excited and alarmed his family, and the result was, that they, finding a team which had come into town late that night, procured the horses, and mounted Gridley and Brown and sent them to the Rattlesnake ranche to find the colonel. The next morning Plummer and all the men who had gone with him were in town, appearing as unconcerned as if nothing un- usual had occurred.
Colonel Sanders did not at first share Tilden's belief concerning the personnel of the troop of robbers and his identification of Plummer, but nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, he ad- monished Tilden not to communicate his beliefs
35
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
to any one, assuring him that if his conjectures were correct, and an expression of them should ever reach Plummer's ears, it would go hard with him. Two or three days thereafter, Plummer ap- proached Tilden, and gazing fixedly upon him, abruptly asked if he had any clew by which the robbers could be identified. Tilden, though greatly frightened by this inquiry, gave him an answer which allayed whatever suspicion the wary robber might have entertained. But Tilden him- self, in relating the incident to his friends, never wavered in his convictions. There were many among the better class of citizens of Bannack who had for a long time suspected Plummer, and be- lieved him to have been engaged in numerous murders and highway robberies, which were of such frequent occurrence as to scarcely cause comment ; and when it was determined on the afternoon of January 10, 1864, that Plummer should be hanged, Tilden was sent for and related his story in detail, which convinced all who heard it, of Plummer's guilt.
Within sixty days after Colonel Sanders's adven- ture at the Rattlesnake ranche, he was the sole survivor of the party there assembled, the others having been executed by the Vigilance Committee, and Plummer and his associates in the attempted
36
Colonel Sanders and Gallagher.
robbery of Hauser and myself had met the same fate.
But little is known of Gallagher's early history. He was born near Ogdensburg, New York. He was at Iowa Point, Doniphan County, Kansas, in October, 1859, and in Denver from 1862 till early in 1863. At this latter place he killed a man in an affray, and fled, next making his appearance in the Beaverhead mines. During the summer of 1863, he shot at and badly wounded a blacksmith by the name of Temple, for interfering to prevent a dog-fight. After this he became uneasy, and finally determined upon leaving the country, and started for Utah. On the Dry Creek divide he met George Ives, who persuaded him to return to Virginia City, and join Plummer's band.
37
Robbery of Moody's Train.
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 CAÑON - SECOND MEETING AND ATTACK ON RED ROCK DIVIDE - BOTH ROBBERS WOUNDED AND ESCAPE - REPRISALS BY THE PURSUING PARTY.
ONE cold morning, a few days after the at- tempted robbery of Mr. Hauser and the writer, a train of three wagons, with a pack-train in com- pany, left Virginia City for Salt Lake. Milton S. Moody, the owner of the wagons, had been en- gaged in freighting between the latter place and the mines ever since their first discovery. His route on the present trip lay through Black Tail Deer, Beaverhead, and Dry Creek cañons, so named after the several streams by which they are traversed. Bannack was left twenty miles to the right of the southern angle in the road at Beaverhead cañon, and, with the exception of three or four ranches, there were no settlers on the route.
38
Robbery of Moody's Train.
Among the packers were Messrs. John McCor- mick, M. T. Jones, William Sloan, John S. Rock- fellow, J. M. Bozeman, Melanchthon Forbes, and Henry Branson, - energetic business men, who had accumulated a considerable amount in gold dust, which they took with them to make pay- ments to Eastern creditors. Buckskin sacks, con- taining about eighty thousand dollars, were distributed in cantinas through the entire pack train, no one pair of cantinas containing a very large sum. Besides this amount, there was in a carpet sack in one of the wagons, fifteen hundred dollars in treasury notes, enclosed in letters to various persons in the States, and sent by their friends and relatives in the mines.
The men in the train were well armed, and an- ticipated an attack by the robbers at some point on the route, but they determined upon fighting their way through. Plummer had been on the watch for their departure a week or more before they left, and through his spies was fully informed of the amount they took with them. He made preparations for surprising them in camp after nightfall, on their second day out, well knowing that some would then be seated, others lying around their camp fires, and others still spreading their blankets for the night. Two of the boldest
39
Robbery of Moody's Train.
men in the band, John Wagner, known as " Dutch John," and Steve Marshland, were selected for the service. They followed slowly in track of the train. Coming in sight of the camp-fire in Black Tail Deer cañon, after dark on the evening ap- pointed, they hitched their horses in a thicket at a convenient distance, and, with their double-bar- relled guns loaded with buck-shot, crawled up, Indian fashion, within fifteen feet of the camp. By the light of the fire, they were enabled to take a survey of the party and its surroundings. The campers were dispersed in little groups engaged in conversation, ignorant of the approach of the robbers, but fully prepared to meet them. Mr. McCormick, who had done some friendly services for Ives, was warned by him, when on the eve of · departure, not to sleep at all, never to be off his guard, nor separate from his comrades, but to keep close in camp until after they had crossed the range. As soon as the robbers comprehended the situation, they withdrew to the thicket and held a consultation. Wagner, the bolder of the two, proposed that they should steal again upon the campers, select their men, and kill four with their shot-guns, it being quite dark; that they should then, by rapid firing, quick movements, and loud shouting, impress the survivors with the
40
Robbery of Moody's Train.
belief that they were attacked by a numerous force in ambush.
" They will then," said Wagner, "run away, and leave their traps, and we can go in and get them."
This seheme, none too bold or hazardous for Wagner to undertake, presented a good many embarrassments to the more timid nature of his companion. Bold as a lion at the outset, he now found his courage, like that of Bob Acres, " ooz- ing out of his fingers' ends." The more Wagner urged the attack, the stronger grew his objections, until at length he flatly refused, and the experi- ment was abandoned until the next morning.
The campers knew nothing of this. One by one they sank to rest, and arose early the next morning to pursue their journey. While seated around the camp-fire at breakfast, near a sharp turn in the road, their attention was suddenly arrested by a voice issuing from the thicket, uttering the fol- lowing ominous words : -
" You take my revolver and I'll take yours, and you come right after me."
In a twinkling every man sprang for his gun and cocked his revolver. The sharp click, that " strange quick jar upon the ear," probably satis- fied the robbers that they had been overheard,
41
Robbery of Moody's Train.
for in a few moments after up rode Wagner and Marshland, with their shot-guns thrown across their saddles, ready for use. The confused ex- pression of the robbers when they saw that every man was prepared for their approach, betrayed their criminal designs. Recovering themselves in a moment, Marshland, who recognized Sloan, in a friendly tone called out, -
" How do you do, Mr. Sloan ?"
" Very well, thank you," replied Billy, laying particular stress upon the complimentary words, the significance of which would have been more apparent, had he known that Marshland's coward- ice the night before had probably saved his life.
The road agents inquired if the party had seen any horses running at large, or whether they had any loose stock in their train.
" We have not," was the prompt reply.
" We were told by some half-breeds we met," said Marshland, " that our animals were running with your train, and we rode on, hoping to find them."
" It's a mistake," was the answer, " we have no horses but our own."
With this assurance the robbers professed to be satisfied, and galloped on.
These successive failures only strengthened the
42
Robbery of Moody's Train.
villains in their determination to rob the train. They awaited its arrival in Red Rock valley two days after leaving it, with the intention of attack- ing it there, at the hour of going inte camp. When near the summit of the ridge which divides the waters of the Red Rock from those of Junction creek, the packers, according to custom, rode on ahead of the wagons to select a suitable stopping-place for the night. Three or four men only were left in charge of the teams. The robbers supposed that the treasure was hidden away in some of the carpet sacks in the wagons, now near the top of the divide. The brisk pace of the pack-horses soon took them out of sight and hearing of their companions in the rear. Assured of this, the robbers, disguised in hoods and blankets, dashed out of a ravine in front of the wagons, and in a peremptory tone, covering the drivers with their shot-guns, commanded them to halt. Gathering the drivers together, they ordered them not to move, at their peril; and while Dutch John sat upon his horse, with his gun aimed at them, Marshland dismounted, and engaged in a speedy search of both drivers and vehicles. Unperceived by the robbers, Moody had slipped a revolver into the leg of his boot. He also had a hundred dollars concealed in a
43
Robbery of Moody's Train.
pocket of his shirt, which escaped notice. The other drivers had no money on their persons. After disposing of the men, Marshland went to the wagons, where he was fortunate enough to find the carpet sack containing the letters in which were enclosed the fifteen hundred dollars in greenbacks. Pocketing this, and still intent upon finding the gold, he proceeded to the rear wagon, which fortunately was occupied by Forbes and a sick comrade. As soon as Marshland climbed to the single-tree, Forbes, who had been in wait for him, fired his revolver through a hole in the cur- tain, wounding him in the breast. With an oath and yell, the robber fell to his knees, but recover- ing himself, jumped from the wagon, fell a second time, regained his feet, and ran with the agility of a deer to the pine forest. Dutch John's horse, frightened at the shot, reared just as its rider discharged both barrels of his shot-gun at the teamsters. The shot whizzed just above their heads. Moody now drew his revolver from his boot, and opened fire upon the retreating figure of Dutch John, the ball taking effect in his shoulder. Urging his horse to its utmost speed, John was soon beyond reach of pursuit ; but had Moody followed him on the instant, he might have brought him down. The packers who had
44
Robbery of Moody's Train.
gone into camp, were no less gratified to hear of the successful repulse, than astonished at the bold attack of the freebooters. Marshland's horse, arms, equipage, and twenty pounds of tea, of which he had rifled a Mormon train a few days before, were confiscated upon the spot.
Rockfellow and two other packers rode back to the scene of the robbery, where, striking Marshland's trail, they followed it, searching for him till eleven o'clock. He admitted afterwards, when captured, that they were at one time within fifteen feet of him. They found, scattered along the route, all the packages of greenbacks he had taken. He gained nothing by his attack, was badly wounded, froze both his feet on his retreat to Deer Lodge, and lost his horse, arms, and pro- visions. Both of Dutch John's hands were frozen, but he was fortunate in meeting J. X. Beidler, who bound them up for him, not knowing at the time the villain's occupation. "X," as he is called by all the mountaineers, always accounted this kindly act to the retreating ruffian, as a stroke of bad fortune. " Had I only known," says he when telling the story, " I would have bandaged his hands with something stronger than a handkerchief."
The serious part of the transaction being over,
45
Robbery of Moody's Train.
our wayfarers had abundant sport for the remain- der of their long journey, in determining the rights of the respective claimants to the booty. Forbes claimed Marshland's horse and accoutre- ments, because it was his shot that caused the robber to take flight. Moody insisted upon his right to an equal share, in compensation for the wounds he gave Dutch John. The two teamsters set up a claim, upon the principle that all ships in sight are entitled to a share in the prize. If steersmen represented schooners at sea, teamsters were the proper representatives of " prairie schoon- ers." The subject was debated at every camp made on the journey, and finally determined by electing a judge from their number, impanelling a jury, and going through all the forms of a regular trial. The verdict gave Forbes the pos- session of the property on payment of thirty dollars to Moody, and twenty dollars to each of the teamsters. The party arrived at Salt Lake without further molestation.
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George Ives.
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.
GEORGE IVES, whose name is already familiar- ized to the readers of this history, by the promi- nent part he acted in the robberies of the coach, and the contemplated attack upon Hauser and the writer, was at the time regarded as the most for- midable robber of the band with which he was connected. The boldness of his acts, and his bolder enunciation of them, left no doubt in the public mind as to his guilt. But the people were not yet ripe for action ; and, while Ives and his comrades in crime were yet free to prosecute their plans for murder and robbery, the miners and traders were content, if let alone, to pursue their several occupations. The condition of society was terrible. Not a day passed unmarked by crimes of greater or lesser enormity. The crisis was
47
1
George Ives.
seemingly as distant as ever. Men hesitated to pass between the towns on the gulch after night- fall, nor even in mid-day did they dare to carry upon their persons any larger amounts in gold dust than were necessary for current purposes. If a miner happened to leave the town to visit a neighboring claim, he was fortunate to escape robbery on the way. And if the amount he had was small, he was told that he would be killed unless he brought more the next time. Often wayfarers were shot at, sometimes killed, and sometimes wounded.
During this period, it was a custom with George Ives, when in need of money, to mount his horse, and, pistol in hand, ride into a store or saloon, toss his buckskin purse upon the counter, and re- quest the proprietor or clerk to put one or more ounces of gold dust in it " as a loan." The man thus addressed, dare not refuse. Often, while the person was weighing the levy, the daring shop- lifter would amuse himself by firing his revolver at the lamps and such other articles of furniture as would make a crash. This was frequently done for amusement. It became so common that it attracted little or no attention, and people sub- mitted to it, under the conviction that there was no remedy.
48
George Ives.
Anton M. Holter, owner of a train of wagons, while on the route from Salt Lake to Virginia City with a large party of emigrants, was overtaken by a fierce mountain snowstorm, during the last days of November, on Black Tail Deer creek. Fear- ing that the road would be blocked, he and a Mr. Evanson pushed on as rapidly as possible to the Pas-sam-a-ri, crossing the stream with their teams with great difficulty, the water reaching midway up the sides of the wagon-boxes. Once over, they made a camp near by, to await the abatement of the storm. A Mr. Hughes who had been travelling in company with them, came up with his wagon, at a late hour in the evening, to the cabin at the crossing, at the door of which he was met by " Dutch John," its only occupant. John, at his request, went in search of Evanson, who came and assisted in getting the horses and wagons across the river. The night was half spent before the object was accomplished. During all this time, John, in pursuance of Plummer's general instructions for obtaining information, plied Evan- son with questions about Holter's property and ready means in gold, - possessing himself of all the information that an unsuspicious man would be likely to communicate.
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