Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-12-20
nANGMAN,s TREE IN MONTANA.


A few rods south Of Helena and just
west Of the present overland stage road
where it crosses Dry gulch, and directly
in the gulch, there stands a venerable
plne. whose massive lower branches Of
weird and fantastic growth extend 20
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 ',lod Of vegeta-
bic mold will alone remain to mark the
site Of the famous Hangman's tree.
Could the old pine speak, what tales it
could tell but perhaps tbs best that
speech is not given. and that with the
life of the tree should pass the recolec-
ton Of those early days when forbear-
ance having ceased to be virtue short
shrift and hempen cord became necessary |
to rid the country of the desperadoes
that infested il, and thus secure long
needed protection to life and property Of
honest citizens. In 1862. 1868 and ga
Virginia City and Bannock we're the
headquarters of Henry Plummer's noted
band Of highwaymen aud cutthroats.
Plummer secured an appointment as sher-
ifF, and then made his eutthrOat lieuten-
ants his deputies. For time this ar
rangement worked admirably for the
roughs, as they could rob and murder
with impunity. After they killed over
hundred and twenty citizens, and plum
dered stages. express shipments and pri-
vate individuals until no one felt safe or
dared to leave with or send money or
dust out Of the country-and any one
who dared to demur 10 this order of
things, or suggest that the robbers were
other than honest and perfect gentlemen,
did so at the imminent peril of his life
it occurred to a few resolute men that
it was time for change, and, quietly
comforting with each other. an organiza-
ton was soon effected, including several
hundred Of the best men in Virginia,
Bannock and Helena. Laying their
plans cautiously but we'll, and then ex-
ecuting them promptly, they melted out
merited Justice to twenty-nine of the
rufians, including llummer and all who
we're known to be members of his band
all Of whom were made to "dance upor
nothing at the end of rope" Five o.
them were hanged at one time from ;
cross beam in an unfinished storeroom
adjoining the building in which you
correspondent writes this communication
These executions ended the reign of ter
ror, and since then peace and quiet ha
been the rule in Montana.
The dying speeches of some of the
desperadOes were peculiarly characters
TIC and worthy of note Erastus Wager
generally known as Red said to hi
captors: You have treated me like
gentleman, and know | am going
die am going to be hanged it's pref
ty rough, but | merited this years ago.
And with the rope around his neck hi
last words we're GOOD by, boys Go
bless you You are Oh good undertab
ing" Henry Plummer begged hard 70
his life, asked to be chained down, otte
ed to leave the country forever and d.
clared that he was too wicked to di
Another, John Wagner, said, 'Cut o
my arms and legs and let me go; 20
know could do nothing then" JAG
Gallagher's, IL hope that forked ligh
ming will strike every strangling son
b-.h of you" Ben Helm, looking
the muscular cOntortions of Gallaghe
said; kick away, old fellow; Ill
in hell with you in minute. Eve,
man for his principles Hurrah for J,
Davis Let her rip" George Shear
when arrested, said, Il knew | shou
have to 60 up sometime, but | thong
could run another season" VIII
told to mount the ladder. which serv
for the scaffold, he made use of the f
lowing language: Gentlemen ;
not used to this business, never havi
been hung before. Shall jump off
slide off," Being directed what to
he said, "All right goOd-by," and lei
ed into eternity. From the confessi,
Of the felons it is conclusively sho
that the vigilants acted with such q
examination that not an innocent n
suffered at their hands.
A plausible young man calling h