RETROSPECTION
In the former chapters of this history, we have seen that the people of
Montana did not adopt the Vigilante code until a crisis had arrived when
the question of supremacy between them and an organized band of robbers
and murderers could be decided only by a trial of strength. When that
time came, the prompt and decisive measures adopted by the Vigilantes
brought peace and security to the people. If any of the murderous band
of marauders remained in the Territory, fear of punishment kept them
quiet. Occasionally indeed a man would be murdered in some of the
desolate cañons while returning to the States, but whenever this
occurred the offenders were generally hunted down and summarily
executed.
When the executive and judicial officers appointed by the government
arrived in the Territory in the Autumn of 1864, they found the mining
camps in the enjoyment of a repose which was broken only by the varied
recreations which an unorganized society necessarily adopts to pass away
the hours unemployed in the mines. The people had perfect confidence in
the code of the Vigilantes, and many of them scouted the idea of there
being any better law for their protection. They had made up their minds
to punish all lawbreakers, and there were many who did not hesitate to
declare to the newly arrived officers, that while the courts might be
called upon in the settlement of civil cases, the people wanted no other
laws in dealing with horse-thieves, robbers, and murderers, than the
ones they themselves had made. This feeling, though not so general as
was claimed for it, was quite prevalent at that time among the miners.
As soon, however, as they found the courts adequate to their
necessities, they readily conformed to the laws and their administration
after the manner prescribed by the government, and the Vigilante rule
gradually disappeared. In several extreme cases they anticipated by
immediate action the slower processes of law, but this occurred only
when the offence was of a very aggravated character.
Some of the leading newspapers of the nation, and the people of many of
the older communities where the hand of the law was strong, and
sufficient for the protection of all, have denounced the action of the
Vigilantes as cruel, barbarous, and criminal; but none of them have had
the perspicacity to discover any milder or more efficacious
substitute,—though apologies and excuses for the murderers have been
numerous and persistent. The facts narrated in these volumes are a
sufficient reply to these hastily formed opinions. The measures adopted
were strictly defensive, and those who resorted to them knew full well
that when the federal courts should be organized, they themselves would
in turn be held accountable before the law for any unwarrantable
exercise of power in applying them. The necessity of the hour was their
justification. Too much credit can never be awarded to the brave and
noble men who put them in force. They checked the emigration into
Montana of a large criminal population, and thereby prevented the
complete extermination of its peace-loving people, and its abandonment
by those who have since demonstrated, by a development of its varied
resources, its capacity for becoming an immense industrial State of the
Union. They opened up the way for an increasing tide of emigration from
the East, to this new and delightful portion of our country. They sought
mainly to protect every man in the enjoyment of his own, and to afford
every citizen equal opportunity to seek for and obtain the hoarded
wealth of the unexplored mountains and gulches in the richest portion of
the continent. They made laws for a country without law, and executed
them with a vigor suited to every exigency.
Not one of that large cosmopolitan community who faced the realities of
brigand domination and aggression, ever complained of the means by which
they were terminated. The change was as welcome to them as sunlight to
the flowers, or rain to the parched earth. It changed their fear into
courage, and their despondency into hope. It cheered them with the
promise that their hard toil and coarse fare would eventuate in good,
and that the star which had led them from homes of comfort to these
distant wilds, did not,—
“Meteor-like, flame lawless through the skies.”
A marked improvement soon became visible in all classes of society.
Pistols were no longer fired, and bowie-knives were no longer flourished
in the saloons. Gambling, though still followed as a pursuit by many,
was freed from all dangerous concomitants, and the hurdy-gurdy houses
wore an appearance of decency and order that they had not known before.
An air of civil restraint took the place of recklessness in personal
deportment, and men lived and acted as if they had suddenly found
something in the community worthy of their respect. This enforced
reformation was only to be preserved by a rigid observance of the
regulations which had produced it. There were hundreds of men in the
Territory ready to take advantage of the smallest relaxation, to rush
again into organized robbery and murder. The Vigilantes understood this,
and that there might be no mistaking their intentions, they pursued
every criminal, from the greatest to the smallest, oftentimes aiding the
civil authorities, and suffering no guilty man who fell into their hands
to escape punishment.
Nearly one-half of a century has elapsed since the United States
Congress gave to Montana a territorial government. At that time it was
the wildest and least inhabited portion of our national domain. A very
small portion of it only had been reclaimed from the savage tribes which
had inhabited it for centuries—the few whites who had gone there holding
it by an occupancy so nearly divided between the lovers and the
violators of law and order, that it was next to impossible to convert it
into a peaceful, law-abiding community. There was nothing in the
writings of early explorers to render it attractive for any of the
purposes of permanent settlement. Captains Lewis and Clark, who explored
this region in 1804–5–6, had told of its great rivers and valleys, its
rocks and its mountains, and the numerous nomadic tribes which subsisted
upon the herds of buffaloes, elks, and antelopes, that fed on its
perennial grasses. Their story had been repeated in more, graphic form
by Washington Irving in his version of Captain Bonneville’s expedition.
Trappers and hunters belonging to the Northwestern and American fur
companies, had told many thrilling adventures of their frequent
conflicts with Indians and grizzlies; but no one had ever testified to
the vast wealth of its mountains and gulches, the surpassing fertility
of its valleys and plains, and the navigability and water facilities of
its wonderful rivers. The possibility that it could ever become anything
more than a field for fur-hunters, or a reserve for some of our Indian
tribes, had never been seriously considered by any one. All the worst
crimes known to the Decalogue stained its infant annals, until, roused
by a spirit of self-defence, the sober-minded and resolute population
visited in their might with condign punishment the organized bands of
ruffians which had preyed upon their lives and property. These, as we
have seen, were speedily swept away from the face of the earth, and the
organization of the Territory was then complete. To-day Montana is the
most attractive of all the States recently admitted into the Union. With
a large and increasing population dwelling in the cities, agricultural
and mining districts, it is rapidly growing into one of the most
powerful States of the Union. Favored by nature with a healthful
climate, and with seasons of heat and cold equally distributed, it
cannot fail to give birth to a hardy, vigorous, and enterprising people.
The development of its vast and varied resources has just commenced,
yet, under its inspiring influence, large cities have sprung up,
manufactories have been established, vast valleys subdued, great
railroads constructed, and the work of a steady and increasing
improvement made everywhere visible throughout its borders.
Many of the noble-hearted pioneers who placed themselves in the van of
this movement have passed away. Montana, now a State of the Union, may
well mourn the loss of such courageous spirits as James Stuart, Walter
Dance, Neil Howie, John Fetherstun, Dr. Glick, John X. Beidler, and many
more who have not lived to see her in her day of grandeur and triumph. A
time should never come when the memory of these men should cease to be
venerated. It should never be forgotten that Montana owes its present
freedom from crime, its present security for life and property, to the
early achievements of these self-denying men, and of their comrades who
still survive; who established law where no law existed, spoke order
into existence when all order was threatened with destruction, declared
peace where all was anarchy, and laid broad and deep the foundations of
a great and populous State amid the perils of robbery and bloodshed.
Equal in degree to the sacrifices made by the brave soldiers of the war
who saved our Republic, were the deeds of those who saved Montana from
rapine and slaughter. Like them, the graves of the dead should be
crowned with flowers, and the pathway of the living be brightened with
the rewards of a grateful people.
Standing in the valley of the Mississippi, and beholding its marvellous
development, we talk of the West—its cities, its agriculture, its
progress—with rapture; we point to it with pride, as the latest and
noblest illustration of our republican system of government; but beyond
the West which we so much admire and eulogize, there is another West
where the work of development is just commencing: a land where but a
quarter of a century ago, all was bare creation; whose valleys, now
teeming with fruition, had then never cheered the vision of civilized
man; whose rivers, now bordered by thousands of happy homes, then rolled
in solitary grandeur to their union with the Missouri and the
Columbia;—a land whose rugged features, civilization with all its
attendant blessings has softened, and where an empire has sprung up as
if by enchantment;—a land where all the advantages and resources of the
West of yesterday are increased, and varied, and spread out upon a scale
of magnificence that knows no parallel, and which fills the full measure
of Berkeley’s prophecy,—
“Westward the course of Empire takes its way.
The first four acts already past,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day.
Time’s noblest offspring is the last.”
THE END
INDEX
Abercrombie, Fort, 123
Adams, Thomas, 111
Aden, Joseph, 481, 482
Alder Gulch, discovery of, 206, 207;
settlement of, 221, 222, 230
Allen, Charley, 320;
murder of, 325
Allen, Jemmy, 394
Anderson, Resin, 111
Ankeny, Capt., 338, 339, 345
Arnett, William, 114
Ashley, ——, 497
Atkinson, Dr., 112
Ault, ——, 113
Bad Lands, the, 494, 501, 502
Bagg, Charles S., 299
Ball, Smith, 368, 369
Banfield, ——, 176–178
Bannack, 68, 122, 129–131, 134–136, 188–191;
_see also_ Grasshopper Creek
Bannack Indians, 118, 120, 195–197;
final destruction of, 199–203
Barlow & Sanderson, 525
Barnhardt, Martin, 437, 438
Beachy, Hill, 318, 328–348
Bear Rapids, 497
Bear River, Battle of, 199–201;
lists of killed and wounded, 203–205
Beaver Head Diggings, 65, 118
Beidler, J. X., 284, 350, 351, 388, 463–470, 524, 541
Bell, William H., death of, 181
Benton, Fort, 66, 123, 126, 498
Berry, Joseph and John, robbery of, 59, 60
Biddle, Dr. and Mrs., 134
Bissell, Dr. Edward, 115, 176, 207, 212, 219, 249
Blackburn, sheriff of Carson City, 48;
murder of, 49
Blackfeet Indians, 122, 124, 451, 498;
attack of, 127–129
Blake, A. S., 112
Bledso, Captain, 478
Bledsoe, Matt, 56
Bond, Samuel R., 123
Bonneville, Capt., 520, 540
Bozeman, J. M., 279
Branson, Henry, 279
Bray, Cornelius, 124–129
Bridger, ——, 497
Broadwater, ——, 163–170
Brockie, ——, 45, 55, 56
Brookie, Major, 115, 213, 457
Brown, ——, 522
Brown, George M., of Plummer’s band, 275, 276, 312–315;
execution of, 316, 317
Brown, James, 212
Bryan, Eliza, afterwards Mrs. Henry Plummer, 186
Buckner, Hank, 478, 479
Buffalo Shoals, 497
Bull, John, 439
Bullard, Scott, 469
Bunton, Bill, 24, 28, 233, 235–240, 242, 243, 270, 309, 315, 391;
execution of, 392, 393
Bunton, Sam, 242, 243
Burritt, E. H., 123
Burtchy, ——, 297
Burton, Elijah, 76
Caldwell, Tom, 244–255
Carpenter, ——, 522
Carrhart, George, of Plummer’s band, 133, 134, 151, 177
Carter, Alex, of Plummer’s band, 252, 253, 287, 294, 309, 315, 395,
396;
execution of, 398
Castner, J. M., 134
Chalmers, Horace and Robert, murder of, 325
Chapman, Arthur, 56
Charlton, David, 123
Chase, H. M., discovers gold in Washington Territory, 35
Chase, Lieut., 199
“Cherokee Bob,” of Plummer’s band, 24, 40–43, 47, 48, 50–51, 70, 71;
death of, 72
Civil War, the, 22
Claggett, Hon. Wm. H., 464, 467
Clancy, Judge, 115
Clark, John C., slayer of Raymond, 482;
execution of, 483
Cleveland, Jack, 24, 66–68, 131;
murder of, 132, 133
Cline, ——, justice at Boise City, 482
Columbia River, Lewis fork of, 19;
Clarke fork of, 19
Columbia River Steamboat Co., 338
Comstock Lode, the, 266
Conley, David, 429–432
Connor, Gen. P. Edward, 196–202
Contway, David, 167–169
Cook, A. G., 480, 481
Cooper, Johnny, one of Plummer’s band, 166, 168–170, 315, 395, 396;
execution of, 398, 399
Copley, George, 143, 368–370
Courts, and processes of trial, among miners, 139–141
Craig’s Mountain, 26, 28
Crawford, “Hank,” 132, 133, 143–145, 148–157
Crisman, George, 249, 257, 258
Culbertson, ——, 497
Cutler, E. R., 212
Cynthia, mistress of Mayfield and Cherokee Bob, 50–52, 70–73
Dale, Virginia, wife of Slade, 450, 456, 461
Daly, Tom, 434
Dance, Walter B., 113, 114, 173, 231, 384, 541
Dance & Stuart, firm of, 231, 256
Daniels, James, 473;
execution of, 474
Danites, or Destroying Angels of Mormon Church, 406
Dart, George, 259
Davenport, ——, 174;
and his wife, 175
Davis, Alexander, 299;
judge of the People’s Court, 457–460
Davis, Jefferson, 99;
wife of, 207
Dawson, ——, factor at Fort Benton, 126, 156
Deer Lodge, gold placers on, 65, 66, 118, 121
Dempsey, Robert, 111
Dibb, Dr. W. D., 123
Dillingham, ——, of Plummer’s band, 207, 219;
letter in regard to, 220;
murder of, 211
Dimsdale, Prof. Thomas J., _quoted_, 146, 147
Dinan, ——, 521;
murder of, 522
Dixon, John, 483;
execution of, 483, 484
Dodge, ——, 207, 208
Donahue, ——, slayer of Patterson, 108, 109
Dorsett, James, 424
Dorsett, Rudolph, 420–423;
murder of, 424
Dougherty, Patrick, 124–129
Douglas, Camp, 195, 196
Dowdle, William, 533, 534
Durley, Jefferson, 186
“Dutch Fred,” 82;
murder of, 83
“Dutch John,” of Plummer’s band, 215, 216, 280–284, 286, 315, 349–359;
execution of, 371–373
East Bannack, 66, 186
Eaton, Charles, 394
Edgerton, Judge Sidney, 257, 259, 275, 276
Elk City, 20, 36, 66
Ellis, ——, 172
Ely, John, 453
English, David, 45, 59, 60–62;
execution of, 62, 63
Evans, ——, slayer of Mayfield, 72, 73
Evans, George, murdered by Cleveland, 131
Evanson, ——, 286
Express, pony, 29
Farrell, Tom, 332, 336
“Fat Jack,” 88;
death of, 89
Fernandez, Charley, 525–531
Fetherstun, John, 351, 355–359, 371, 468, 524, 541
Field, ——, 76
Findlay, Francois, discoverer of gold in Montana, 111
Fisk, Capt. James L., 122, 123
Fletcher, William, 76
Florence, 20, 36, 53, 66
Floyd, Camp, 76, 77
Forbes, Charley, of Plummer’s band, 207, 208, 210, 211, 215, 216;
trial of, 212–214;
death of, 219
Forbes, Melanchthon, 279, 283
Ford, Patrick, a saloon-keeper in Lewiston, 36, 38;
murder of, 39
Franck, John, “Long John,” 290, 292–294, 308
French, Ed, 255
Gallagher, Jack, of Plummer’s band, 207, 211, 271–275, 277, 278, 375,
376–380;
execution of, 383–387
Gallagher, Major, 199, 201
Glick, Dr., 115, 129, 157–160, 175, 541
Godfrey, ——, 138
Goodrich, ——, saloon-keeper at Bannack, 131
Grasshopper Creek, afterwards Bannack, 119–121
Graves, William, “Whiskey Bill,” of Plummer’s band, 245–249, 294, 309,
315, 397;
execution of, 398
Gridley, Leonard A., 275, 276
Grimes, ——, discoverer of gold on the Boise River, 66
Groves, Dr. Wm. H., 76, 77
Hall, Fort, 118
Hanson, ——, 463, 464;
murder of, 465, 466
Harkness, ——, a butcher, 28
Harper, Charley, one of Plummer’s associates, 40, 44, 63, 87;
removal, with band, to Salmon River, 45, 54;
execution of, 88
Hauser, Samuel T., 113, 114, 226, 255–262, 518
Hayden, Dr., 454
Heffner, John, 424
_Helena, Mont., Herald_, 161
Helm, Boone; 74–86, 241, 315, 376–380;
execution of, 383–387;
story of the stranger about, 407, 411, 412, 416–418
Hereford, Robert, 111, 303
Hickey, ——, of Plummer’s band, 55
Higgins and Warden, store of, 174
Hilderman, George, of Plummer’s band, 240, 289, 290, 295;
trial of, 307, 308
Hiltebrant, ——, saloon-keeper in Lewiston, 32, 33, 37
Holliday’s Overland Stage Line, 518
Holter, Anton M., 286–288
Howard, “Doc.,” 318–330, 342–347;
execution of, 348
Howie, Neil, 230, 351–359, 371, 478, 479, 541
Hoyt, J. F., 143, 146
Hoyt, Samuel N., 197, 198, 200
Hughes, ——, 286
Hunkins, Col., 113
Hunt, William, 422, 458, 459
Hunter, Bill, of Plummer’s band, 151, 158, 315, 375, 376, 400–403;
execution of, 404, 405
Hurd, A., 481
Hynson, Bill, 466–472
Idaho, originally comprised Montana and Wyoming, 20
Irving, Washington, on Captain Bonneville’s expedition, 540
Ives, George, of Plummer’s band, 132–134, 166, 168–170, 227, 244–251,
261, 280, 285, 294–297;
trial of, 298–301;
execution of, 302–304;
life of, 306
Jacobs, John M., 111
Jernigan, B. F., 114, 115
Johnson, Dan, 454
Johnson, Frank, 478
Jones, M. T., 279
Kelley, ——, 421–428
Killman, Capt., 441
Kinney, Chief Justice, 197
Kirby, ——, a Lewiston gambler, 31, 32.
Knox, Robert C., 123
Lane, George, “Clubfoot George,” 61, 231, 256, 298, 315, 376, 377;
execution of, 383–387
Langford, N. P., 123–129, 138, 142, 143, 173, 182, 219, 225–229,
255–265, 451–455, 485–491, 518–520, 524–536
Lannan, Pat, 435–437
Laramie, Fort, 447, 448
Lazarus, Izzy, 435
Le Clair, Michaud, a fur-trader, 116–119
Le Grau, robbery of, 175
Leach, John, slayer of Hanson, 465, 466
Leavitt, Dr., 115, 159, 228
Lewis and Clark Expedition, 492, 493, 540
Lewiston, capital of Idaho, 20, 22, 31–33, 225
“Long John,” _see_ John Franck
Lott, John S., 458
Louthen, Frank, 113
Lowry, Chris, 318–330,342–347;
execution of, 348
Luce, Jason, 242, 243
_Luella_, steamboat, 503, 513
Lyon, General, killed in battle of Wilson’s Creek, 113
Lyon, Governor, of Oregon, 32, 478, 479
Lyons, Hayes, of Plummer’s band, 179, 207, 208, 210, 211, 216, 219,
315, 376, 380–382;
trial of, 212–214;
execution of, 383–388
McAdow, P. W., 112, 113
McCausland, ——, 521;
murder of, 522
McClinchey, Neil, 58
McCormick, 279, 280
McFadden, Daniel, 233, 234–240
McGarry, Major, 198, 199, 200
McGranigan, ——, 76, 77
McLean, Captain, 199
McLean, Col. Samuel, 115, 118, 119, 266
Mackinaw boat travel, 492, 497, 498;
story of, 499–516
Madison, ——, 234, 236–240
Magruder, Lloyd, murder of, 309, 318–326;
trace of, 328
Maguire, Billy, 434
Marcus, Charley, 477
Marshall, discoverer of gold in California, 35
Marshland, Steve, of Plummer’s band, 244–246, 280–284, 315, 350, 389;
execution of, 390, 391
Martin, John, 76
Martin, Peter, 392
Masons, first meeting of, in Bannack, 181;
funeral services of W. H. Bell, 182–184;
power of, 184, 185
Mayfield, Bill, 48–51;
death of, 72, 73
Meagher, Governor, 473
Meeks, Jake, 111
Mendenhall, Jack, 113
Mers, ——, 521;
murder of, 522
Miller, C. F., 182
Mitchell, William, associate of Reeves, 136, 138, 146;
trial of, 144
Montana, originally a part of Idaho, 20
Monthe, Jake, 113
Moody, Milton S., 279, 282–285
Moore, Augustus, 131, 135–139, 141, 163, 164, 176–178, 219;
trial of, 144–147
Moore, Captain, 244–248
Moore, Gad, of Plummer’s band, 315
Mormons, 258–265;
fort of, at Lemhi, 113, 118
Mose, of the early pony express, 29, 30
Muchacho, 435
Mullen, Capt. John, 122
Munson, Judge, 473
Murieta, Joaquin, 45
Murphy, ——, 485–488
Neselrode, ——, 89
_New York Herald_, 528
Nez Percés Indians, 26
Northern Overland Expedition, 122
Northwestern Fur Co., 118, 540
Northwestern Railroad, 513
O’Keefe, Barney, 396
“Old Tex,” a brother of Boone Helm, 84, 85
“Old Tex,” one of Plummer’s band, 244, 245, 294, 308, 391–393
Oliver, Dr. A. J., 255, 256
Opdyke, David, 476–482;
execution of, 483, 484
Oro Fino, 20, 37, 66
Overland Stage Co., 441–443, 484
Page, William, 319, 323–330, 343–348
Palmer, Dr., 268, 270
Palmer, William, 289, 290, 292
Parish, Frank, one of Plummer’s band, 240, 242, 315, 376;
execution of, 384–387
Parker, ——, 521;
murder of, 522
Parks, ——, murder of, 477
Parks, Charley, 522
Patterson, Ferd, 91, 95–108;
death of, 108
Patton, W. H., 299
Payne, D. S., 225
Peabody, Ben, 351
Peasley, Thomas, 437, 438
Peel, Langford, 429–440
Pemberton, ——, 163
Pemberton, W. Y., 299
People’s Court, The, 457
Peoples, William, 45, 59, 60–62;
execution of, 62, 63
Percy, ——, 234, 236–240, 242
Perkins, George, 151, 152
Perkins, Jeff, 131
Pfouts, P. S., 457
Phillips, William, 321;
murder of, 325
Phleger, Harry, 132, 133, 149, 153, 171, 172
Pike’s Peak Gulch, 125, 129
Pinkham, ——, 91–95, 98;
murder of, 99–101;
results of murder, 102–109
Pizanthia, Jo, 368–370
Plummer, Henry, 23–27, 37, 48, 66–68, 130, 137, 138, 148–162, 171–175,
186–188, 213, 226, 242, 258, 261, 266–272, 276, 315, 357, 360, 361;
execution of, 362–364;
life of, 365–366
Porter, Deputy Sheriff, 42, 43
Post, Columbus, 115, 118
Post, Mark, 115
Powell, John W., 111;
letter of, 78–81
Price, Captain, 199
Prickly Pear Valley, 123;
Creek, 124
Purple, Edwin R., 365
Quinn, Lieut., 199
Ray, Ned, of Plummer’s band, 207, 251–256, 261, 311, 315, 358, 361;
execution of, 362–364
Raymond, Reuben, 481, 482;
murder of, 483
Reeves, Charley, one of Plummer’s hand, 37, 66, 132, 135–139, 141, 163,
176;
trial of, 144–147
Reni, Jules, 444–449
Rheem, Wm. C., 144, 147, 226;
_quoted_, 161, 162
Richardson, Edward, real name of Charley Forbes, 216
Ridgely, of Plummer’s band, 37, 39, 40, 43, 44, 66
Ritchie, ——, 298
Robbins, ——, a friend of Pinkham, 102, 103, 106
Robinson, ——, 430, 431
Rockfellow, John S., 279, 283
Romaine, Jim, 318–330, 342–347;
execution of, 348
Rucker, ——, 429, 432, 433
Ruckles, Capt., 338
Rumsey, William, 234, 236–239, 241, 421, 423
Russell, Capt. Jack, 115–120, 176–178
Rutar, Dr., 212
Salmon River, 29, 30;
discovery of gold in, 45
Sanders, Col. Wilbur R., 258, 267–277, 299, 304
Sapp, Dick, 176–178
Sarpie, ——, 497
Scott, Bob, 455
Scott, Nelson, 45–47, 59–62;
execution of, 62, 63
Shears, George, of Plummer’s band, 315, 396;
execution of, 397
“Shebangs” of Plummer’s band of road agents, 26, 27, 28
Shepard, Johnny, 154
Shoot, Littlebury, murder of, 75
Short, Mr. and Mrs., 134
Shoshone Falls, 20
Simmons, Andrew J., 498;
letter of, 499–516
Sioux Indians, 122, 451, 519;
attack of, 506–511
Six, Dr., 213
Skinner, Cyrus, 53, 134, 172, 178, 207, 315, 395, 396;
execution of, 398
Slade, Joseph A., 441–460;
execution of, 460–462
“Slippery Joe,” 190, 191
Sloan, William, 279, 281
Smith, Governor Green Clay, 478, 490
Smith, H. P. A., 115, 212, 216, 298, 406
Smith, Joseph, 262
Smith, Judge, of Walla Walla, 61
Snake River, rise of, 19
Southmayd, Leroy, 244–254, 295
Spillman, C. W., 114, 115
Spivey, Henry, 304
Stage Coach, the, 517–524
Staples, Capt., murder of, 97
Stapleton, Washington, 115, 207, 208
Steele, Dr., president of Alder Gulch, 209, 210, 212
Stevens, Governor Isaac I., 123
Stewart, ——, 525, 529
Stinson, Buck, 180, 207, 208, 210, 211, 216, 251–256, 261, 311, 315,
358, 361;
trial of, 212–214;
execution of, 362–364;
life of, 365
Stuart, Granville, 111, 114, 119
Stuart, James, 111, 114, 119, 541
Talbert, Henry, real name of “Cherokee Bob,” 72
Terry, ——, a friend of Patterson’s, 99, 100, 102
Terwiliger, Billy, of Plummer’s band, 160, 315
Tetons, the three, 20
Thomas, Henry, “Tom Gold Digger,” 112, 124
Thompson, Henry, 421–428
Thurmond, J. M., 299, 406
Tiebalt, Nicholas, 289;
murder of, 290–292, 294, 300
Tilden, Henry, 259, 275–277
Tipton, M. W., 396
Todd, ——, deputy of Virginia City, 211, 216
Tracy & Co., pony express of, 29
Trotter, Charles, 532, 533
Turner, ——, of Plummer’s band, 28
Union, Fort, 123, 512
Union League, 225
Union Pacific Railroad, 518
United States Geological Survey, 454
Vail, ——, in charge of Government farm on Sun River, 67, 186
Vigilantes, of Florence, 88, 89;
first real activities of, 291;
organization of committees, 309, 360, 367;
of Virginia City, 374;
justification of, 405, 406;
mistakes of, 474, 475;
review of, 537
Virginia City, founding of, 207;
growth of, 222–224
Vivion, James, 352
Wagner, John, real name of Dutch John, 280
Wall, Capt., 351
Warner Creek, 20
West Bannack, 66, 186
White, John, 119, 420–423;
murder of, 424
White Bird Creek, 30, 56
Whitehead, Charles, 259, 260
Wilkinson, ——, 234, 236–240
Williams, Charles, 470
Williams, Frank, 523
Williams, “Jakey,” 71, 72
Willoughby, Bill, 70–72
Wilson, Jack, 297
Winnemuck, chief of the Bannack Indians, 178–180
Wohlgamuth, ——, 534
Wolf Rapid, 497
Woodmansee, ——, 120
Woods, Governor, 407
Wright, Gen., commander of the Department of the Pacific, 343
Wyoming, originally a part of Idaho, 20
Yager, Erastus, “Red,” 269–274, 310–316;
execution of, 317
Yankton, capital of Dakota, 225
Yellowstone River, 19;
National Park, 19;
travel on the river, 492–515
Young, Brigham, 262, 263
Zachary, Bob, of Plummer’s band, 235, 240, 245–249, 294, 315, 319, 396,
398
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TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
1. Silently corrected typographical errors and variations in spelling.
2. Archaic, non-standard, and uncertain spellings retained as printed.
3. Footnotes were re-indexed using numbers.
4. Enclosed italics font in _underscores_.