The New York herald., 1875-09-16
vIGuANTEs AGAINST ROAD AGENTs-AN OLD

vIGI1.ANTEs AGAINST ROAD AGENTs-AN OLD
TIME SCENE AT THE GA1Lows
The Virginia City (Montana) correspondent of the
Lcavenworth (Kansas Commercial gives the following
graphic account of old -timo gallows' scene in the
Territory
few rods south of Helena and Just west of the pres
ent overland stage road where Dry Gulch and
directly in the guch there stands venerable pine,
whose massive lower branches of weird and fantastic
growth extend twenty feet more from the gnarlcd
and trunk Years since it lost ITS foliage,
and IL s gradually yielding TO decay and long
clod of vegetable mould will alone remain to mark the
site of the famous Hangmans Tree Could the old pine
speak what tales 1t could tell; but perhaps tits best that
speech given, and that with the life OF the old
tree should pass tho recollection OF those early days
when forbcarance having ceased to be virtue short
shrft and hempen cord became necessary TO rid the
country of the desperadoes that infested it, and thus
long needed protection to life and property Of hon
est citizens.
Now law and order reign throughout the Territory
and justice is attainablc and administered through
regular channels and 1t is to be hoped that again
will circumstances call for justify the formation OF
such organization was that of the uglantes Of
Montana.
IN 1862 1865 and 1864 Virginia City and Bannock
were the headquarters of Henry Plummers noted b>nd
of highwaymen and cutthroals. Pummer secured an
appointment sheriff and then made his cu;tarcat
heutcnants his deputies For time this arrangement
worked admirably for tho rougls, they could rob
and murder with impunity Alter they had killed
12O citizens and plundcrod stages, express shipments
and private individuals until no one clt safe or dared
with send money dust out OF the country
and any one who dared TO demur to this order of
things or suggest that the robbers others than
honest perfect gentlemen did so at the
imminent peril Of his lie-it occurred Iesoutc
men that II time for change, and quietly confer
ring with each other, organization effected
including several hundred of the best in Virginia
BannOck and Helena Laying their plans cautiously
but well, and executing them promptly, they mctcd
mcrcd justice to twenty nine OF the ruinang in
Guiding Plummcr and all known members OF his band
all OF whom made To Glance upon nothing at the
end Of a rope" Five OF them hanged one timc
from a beam in an unfinished slotcroom adoi1-
ing the building in which your correspondent writes
this communication. These executions ended the reign
of terror and sncc then peace and quiet has been the
rule ~ Montana The dying speeches OF some OF
the dcspcrudocs peculiarly characteristic
and worthy Of note. Erastus Yagcr gen
orally known Red said 20 his cap
tors 'YOu have treated me like gentleman and
know am gong to die; ant going to be hanged; IT'S
pretty rough. but mcrted this years agon Aud with
The rope around his neck his last words were 'Goodby
boys God bless you'll You are good undertak.
ing.
Henry Pummcr begged hard for his life asked to be
chained down. offered leave the country forever and
declared that he too wicked to die. Another John
Wagner said "Cut OIL my arms and legs aud me go;
you know could do nothing then" Jack Galagher's
III hope that forked lightning will strike every
strangling son OF b-h Of you. Ben
Helm looking at the muscular contortions of
Gallagher SAID, "Kick away old fellow; I'll be In hell
with you In a minute. Every man for his principles.
Hurrah Tor Jcn Dayis Lot her ripln George Shears