Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-22
HANGMAN'S TREE IN MONTANA.

the following graphic account OF an old time
galows' scene in the Territory:
a few rods south of Helena and just west Of
the present overland stage road, where it crosses
Dry Gulch, and directly in the gulcb, there
stands a venerable pine, whose massive lower
branches of weird and fantastic growth extend
twenty feet or more from the gnarled and moss
covered trunk. Years since it lost its foliage,
and now it is gradually yielding to decay, and
ere long clod of vegetable mould will alone
remain to mark the site of the famous Hang
mau's Tree. Could the old pine speak what
tales it could tell; but perhaps it's best that
speech is not given, aud that with the life of
the old tree should pass the recollection OF
those early days when forbearance having ceas-
ci 10 be virtue a short shrift and hempen
cord became ncct IS, : to rid the country Of the
dcsperadoes that infested it, and thus secure
long needed protection to life and property of
honest citizens.
Now law and order reign throughout the
Territory and justice is attanabe and admiuis
tered through regular channels, aud il is TO b.
hoped that never again will circumstances call
for or justify the formation Of such an organi-
zalon as Was that Of the viglla ntes Of Montana.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE OLD TREE
In 1862, 1868 and 1864 Virginia City and
Bannock were the headquarters of Henry
PIummer's noted band OF highwaymen and
cutthroats Plummer secured an appoint
ment as Sheriff and then made his cutthroat
lleutenants his deputies. For time this ar
raugement worked admirably for the roughs,as
they could rob and murder with impunity.
After they had killed over l20 citizens, and
pIundered stages express shipments and pri-
vale individuals until no one felt safe or dared
to leave with or send money or dust out of the
country any one who dared to demur to
this order OF things or suggest that the robbers
We're others than honest and perfect gentlemen
did so at the imminent peril Of bis life-it oc-
Cured to few resolute men that it was time
tor change, and, quietly coDterring with each
other,an organization was soon effected, incud-
log several hundred of the hest men in Virgin
la, BaoDock and Helena. Laying their plans
cautiously but well. .and executing them prompt
y, they meted out merlted justice to twenty
n'ue OF the rufians, including Plummer and all
known members OF his band, all of whom were
made to dance upon nothing at the end of
rope" Five of them were hanged at one time
from cross beam 10 an unfinished storeroom,
adjoining the building 10 which your cores
p0ndeot writes this communication. These ex-
ecutlons ended the reign of terror, and since
then peace aod quiet has been the rule in Mon
taua The dying speeches of some of the des-
peradoes were peculiarly characteristic and
worthy of note. Erastus Yager, generally
known as Red, said to his captors you
have treated me like gentleman, and know
am going to die; | am going TO be hanged
it's pretty rough, but merited this years ago" !"
And with the rope around his neck his last
You are on good undertaking!'
Hcnry Piummer 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 Oft my arms and legs and let me 90; you
know could do nothing then" Jack Gala
ghcrs, Il hope that torkcd lightning will
strike every stransling son of b-h of you. I"
Ben Helm, looking at the muscular contorions
oil Gallagher, said, Kick away, old fellow; I'll
be 10 hell with you in minute Every man
tor his principles Hurrah for j, # Davis
Let her rip!' George Shears when arrested
said, u knew | should have to 90 up some
time, but thought | could run another sea.
son." When told to mount be ladder, which
served Tor the time being as scatfold, be made
use of the tesdn1SJwing language: "Gentlemen, [
am not used to this business, never having
been hung BEFORE Shall | jump off or slide
off, Being directed what to do, he said,
,''AlI light; good by, D." and leaped into eternity
From the confessions of the te,ons it is conclu-
slVely shown tha, the vigilantes acted with such
discrimination that not an innocent man suffer
ed at their hands.
HE ART OF LISTENING. -Cooversation is
more frequently spoiled and ruined by bad list.
eulog than by bad talking. Two persons, or
several may engage in the discussion of sub
ject with which each is we'll acquainted, and
each may possess command of language aud
fuency of dioton, but if one of them is an in
h,
conversation becomes confused and irregular,
often irritating and either of itself breaks up
altogether, or is abandoned with a nu-
tual on general sense of relief or the oc.
curreoce OF any interruption from with
out. There are vrrouS classes Of such offeod-
crs, examples OF each of which may not seldom
be met with in single large party. The
least blemeabe, and the least embarrassing,
but often sufficiently so to distract the best
takers, and to hinder the progress Of discourse
are the nervous and 6igety. who, although per-
haps desrous and intending to give attention
to the subject under treatment, are unable to
control physical restlessuess while others are
speaking. This manifess itself 10 various
ways by waDderngs of the eyes, movements
or the hmbs, arrangements of the dress, takiog
up aud putting dowo books and other objects,
ana oftcn by very nngainly tricks practised by
an astonlShlngly large number of sensible, we'll
educated, and otherwise we'll conducted people.
-: The presence OF single person of
this temperament 10 an audience is Dotoriously
suthclent TO annoy and discompose even emf
nent public speakers, and often spoils speecn
or sermon. 1t is not to be wondered at that
10 the closer communication of social inter
course, 1t should prove very frequently the
st,pmbllng-bock to conversation. II Leisure
Hours. ''''''
here's the dinner bashful young man en-
J,yea rl at the picnic Saturday. given in the order
Hl Inc course: A pickel, dish of ice cream,
snaa "am sandwich, rich pudding, picked onions,
sponge cake, another pckle fros,ed o,ka nla,a