The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1875-09-24
HASGMAN's TREE IN MONTANA.
Figilanfes Against Road Agents-An
Old-time Scene at the GnllOWs.

The Virginia City (Moptana) CORES
I pondent Of the Leavenworth CONNER
eial gives the following graphic account
of an old dtime gallows' scene 10 the
Territory:
A few rods south Of Helena and just
west Of the overland stage road where il
crosses Dry Gulch, and directly in the
gulch, there stands venerable pine,
whose massive lower branches OF weird
and fantastic growth, extend twenty feet
or more from the gnarIed and moss COW
cred trunk. Years since it lost It's foli-
age, and now il is gradually yielding 70
decay, and ere long clod Of vegetable
mould will alone remain to mark the
site of the famous Hangmnn'a Tree.
Could the pine speak, what tales It could
tell but, perhaps, Ills best that speech
is not given. and that with the life Of
the old tree should pass the recollection
Of those early days when forbearance
having ceased TO be virtue a short
shriit and hempen cord became necessa-
ry to rid the country Of the desperadoes
that infested it, and thus secure long
needed protection to life and property Of
honest citizens.
Now law and order reign thronghout
the Territory and Justice is attainable
and administered through regular chan
nels, and it is to be hoped that never
again will circumstances call for or just
ify the formation of such an organiza-
tion as was that of the vigilantes Of
Montana.
In 1862, 1868 ard 1864 Virginia City
and Bannock we're the headquarters Of
Henry Plummer's noted band Of high
waymen and cutthrOats. Plummer Sc
cured an appointment as Sheriff and then
made his cutthroat lieuienants his depu-
ties. For a time this arrangement
worked admirably for the roughs, as
they could rob and murder with impuni-
ty. After they had killed over I20 cit
izens, and plundered stages, express
shipments and private individuals until
no one felt safe or dared to leave with or
send money or dust ont Of the country
and any one who dared to demur TO
to this order Of things or suggest that
the robbers were others than honest and
perfect uenllemen, did so at the immi-
nent peril Of his li'e-it occurred 10
few resolute men that il was time for
change, and, quietly comforting with
each other, an organization was soon ef-
fected, including several hundred Of the
best men in Virginia, Bannock and Hell
ena.
Laying their plans cautiously but
we'll, and executing them promptly,
they meted ont merited justice to twen-
ty-nine Of the rufians, including Plum
mer and all known members Of his band,
all Of whom were made to Glance upon
nothing at the end Of rope" Five Of
them we're hanged at one time from
cross beam in an unfinished storeroom
adjoining the building in which yoar
correspondent writes this communica-
ton. These executions ended the reign
of terror, and since then peace and quiet
has been the rule in Montana. The dy-
ing speeches Of some Of the desperadoes
were peculiarly characteristic and
worthy of note. Erastus Yager, gener-
ally known as "Red, " said to his captors
"You have treated me like gentleman,
and know / am going to die; am GO
ing to be hanged; it's pretty rough, but
merited this years ago" And with the
rope around his neck his last words
were, Good by, boys; God bless you
Yon are on good undertaking"
Henry Plnmmer begged hard for his
life, asked to be chained down, offered to
leave the country forever, and declared
that he was too wicked to die. Another,
John Wagner, said, "Cut Of my arms
and legs and let me go; you know /
could do nothing then" Jack Gallagh-
er said, At hope that fdfked lightning
will strike every strangling son ofa b-h
of you" Ben Helm, looking at the
muscular contortIons of Gallagher, said,
Kick away, old fellow, III be in hell
with you in a minute. Every man for
his principles. Hhrrah for JEFF, Davisl
Ler her ripl'' George Shears when ar
rerleh salu, hht" hhOhi" nave 80 ku
up some time, but ] thought could run
another season." When told to mount
the ladder, which served for the time
being as a scafold, he made use Of the
following language: "GentlemeD, ] am
not used to this business, never having
been hung before. Shall ! Jump OF or
slide Off" Beng directed what to do;
he said, GAN right; good bye" and leap
ed into eternity. From the confessions
of the feIons it is conelusively shown
that the Vigilantes acted with such dis
elimination that not an innocent man
suffered at their hands.