Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-10-09


pondent OF the Leavenworth (kansas)
Commercial gives the following graph
ic account of an old time gallows' scene
in the Territory: 44t =.
A few rods south of Helena and Just
west OF the present overland stage road,
where it crosses Dry Gulch, and direct
ly in the gulch, there stands a venera
bic pine, whose massive lower branches 4
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 il is gradual
ly. yielding 10 decay, aud ere long
clod of vegetable mould will alone re
main TO mark the site of the famous
Hangman's Tree. Could the old pine
speak what tales it could tell; but per-
haps It's best that speech is not given,
and that with the hfe OF the old tree
should pass the recollection of those ear
" days when forbearance having ceas
ed 10 be virtue a short shritt and hem
pen cord became necessary to rid the
country of the desperadoes that infested
it, and thus secure long needed prolec-
ton TO life and property of honest citl-
zens.
Now law and order reign throughout
the Territory and justice is attainable
and administered through regular chan-
nels, and il is TO be hoped that never
again will circumstances call for or jus
tify the formation of such an organiza-
tion as was that of the vigilantes Of
Montana.
"REMINISCENCES OF THE OLD TREE.
In 1862, 1868 and 1864 Virginia City
and Bannock were the headquarters OF
Henry Plummer's noted band of high
waymen and catthroats. Piummer Sc
cured an appointment as Sheriff and
then made his cutthroat lieuteDants his
deputies. For time this arrangement
worked admirably for the roughs, as
they could rob and murder with impuni-
ty After they had killed over 100 cti-
zens, and plundeIed stages, express ship
ments and private individuals until no
one felt safe or dared to leave with or
send money or dust out ofthe country
and any one who dared to demur at this
order Of things or suggest that the rob.
bers were others than honest and per-
feet gentlemen did so at the imminent
peril OF his lite---it occurred 10 few
resolute men that 1t was time for
change, and, quietly conferring with
each other, an organization was soon af-
iected, including several hundred Of the
best men in Virginia, Bannock and He
lena. Laying their plans cautiously
but well, and executing them promptly,
they meted out merited justice to twen-
ty-nine of the ruflans, including Plum
mer and all known members OF his
band, all of whom were made 10 "dance
upon nothing at the end of rope"
Five Of them were hanged at one time
from q cross beam in an unfinished
storeroom, adjoining the building in
which your correspondent writes this
communication. These executions end
ed the reign Of terror. and sirce then
peace and quiet has been the rule in
Montana. The dying speeches of some
Of the desperadoes were peculiarly char
acteristic and worthy of note. Erastus
Yagar, generally known as Red said
to his captors, "You have treated me
like gentleman, and know am go
ing 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 words were, "Goodby,
boys: God bless you You are on
good undertaking. i,. %
Henry Plummer begged hard for his
life, asked to be chained down, offered
10 leave the country forever, and decIar-
ed that he was too wicked to die. An
other, John Wagner, said, "Cut off my
arms and legs and let me 90; you know
could do nothing then" Jack Gall
agber's, 81 hope that forked lightning
will strike every strangling son of
b-h Of you Ben Helm, looking at
the muscular contor;ions of Gallagher,
said, "Kick away old fellow; III be in
hell with you in a1minute. Every man
for his principles. Hurrab for jeff Da-
Wis Let her ripl" George Shears
when arrested said, 81 knew 7 should
have TO 90 up some time, but thought
could run another season." When
told 10 mount the ladder, which served
for the time being as scafold, he made
use Of the following language: "Gen-
tlemen, ] am not used to this business
never having been hung before. Shall
jump off or slide of Being directed
what to do, he said, "All right; good
by" and leaped into eternity. From
the confession of the fclons il is exclu-
sively shown that the yigilantes acted
with such discrimination that not an In
nocent man suffered at their hands.