The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1889-12-04
A ROBBING GANG
EARLY DAYS OF GOLD MIN
ING IN MONTANA.
a Sanctimonious Sheriff Who
Was the Leader of a Band
of Highwaymen.

of Highwaymen.
Philadelphia Times.
A few days ago Abraham Case,
Of Portland, Oregan, passed through
Philadelphia on visit to his for
mer home, in Name. Mr.. Case was
one Of the Argonauts, landing in
California from whale ship in 40,
and his recollection Of the early gold
settlements are very interesting, per-
ticularly the breaking up Of the
Plumer gang Of outlaws in 1858.
Mr.. Case was a member ofthe Vigi-
lantss who performed this service to
the community.
Ia 1882 Bannock City, Montana,
was founded, and the gold discoye-
ries on Salmon river at once attract
ed q numerous class Of settlers, most
Of whom came from west of the
mountains. Many Of these were
outlaws and ruffians Of the worst
kind. Mr.. Dempsey, the first Sher-
i'll Of Beayerhead county, was not
able to deal with these desperate
characters, aud Henry Plumer, a
man Of approved courage, waselect-
cd TO succeed him.
The new Sheriff was a well-known
resident, who had crossed the plains
in the fifties. He had very genial
manner and as a church member
was . shining light among religi-
Gus people, leading in prayer and
occasionally preaching at several
meetings. Some Of the old timers
had less confidencein his morality
than the general public and there
we're stories aHoat Of his intimacy
with some Of the bad men thar had
been killed or driven out Of the
mines.
PLUxER's APPARENT RARSEsrSEss.
The former Sheriff had done bis
best to put down lswlessness, and
more than once he complained that
the rufiians who infested the town
we're aided and abetted by certain
officials, but he was never able to
bring these men TO book. Plumer
went to work uithapparent esrnest-
ness 10 rid the town Of ITS criminal
population, but there was still a
great deal OF horse stealing aud
numbering going on. II was MOTTO
Cd that when a handsome reward
was offered for stolen horse the
Sheriff nearly always succeeded in
getting il. and while certain ruffians
were vigorously hunted dswn and
killed BY the Sheriifs posse, Others
equally bad we're let alone. As
everybody was making money and
driving trade but little attention was
given 10 the rumop, and Plumsr
kept up his credit BY occasionally
raiding dance houses and the small.
Ter gambling saloons, while the BIC
ones were not disturbed.
In no community in the West
were there mnre bad men at thi,
time, and miners coming to town q
sell their gold we're almost certain
10 be warIad BY highwaYnen and
sometimes killed.
wAYLlID ny MASKED ROBBERS.
One instance Of this kind attrac
led much notice. Three brothers
named Conwell, were running
mine on Horntail creek, about TWEEN
ty miles west from Bsnnock. The,
started 10 come in, bringing abou
5000 worth of dust. Two mile
from town FIVE masked men haltet
them, and in the Desperate figh
that ensued two Of the road agent
were shst down and John Conwel
killed. The survivors hurried int,
town and notified the Sheriff. III
set out accompanied by the brother
and q boy. When they came to tn
place one Of the robbers was dead
and the other. q notorious villail
known ss "Red Mccoy" was jus
alive and no more.
Plumer sent the two brothers in
10 the brush 10 get some poles l,
make q litter and they, taking Oh
boy with them a short distance, sen
L.. L..I A.. .aN.I =. IT. $500