The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-08-10
THE EIaILhNrE skNh TOE.
Col. Sanders OF Montana Tells the story OF
One OF His Hnugiugs.

| WASHINGTON. Aug, l.-SenhtOr SnndorS OF
| Montana is ono OF the most entertaining talk
| ers in the Senate. group OF gentlemen were
sitting In his committee room not long since
| listening to his tales OF the early history OF
| Montana. when the mining fever was at its
| height. The talk turned on the different do
| ings of the Vigilantes. OF which Senator San
| ders was leader. Yes" said the Senator.
retrospectvely. Il have assisted In good
many send-offs whore II robbor or murderer
| was launched into another world without the
| benefit OF the clergy"
'Were you present at the execution Of the
| notorious Slader" asked one OF the gentle
men.
YES" replied the Montana Senator. and
| could tell you story about that execution.
| That was the one instance where the gentle
| man whom we assisted In making his exit was
| neither thief nor murderer-or. at least that
was not the crimo for which he was hung"
| What was his crime?" again asked the gen-
| tloman.
I'VE executed Mr.. Slade for treason-high
| treason against the Territory OF Montana" re-
| piled Sanders thoughtfully. and thereby
| hangs a tale.
| AS you know. ] was chief OF the Vigilance
| Committee. and we had successfully en-
| gineered about forty or fifty hangings when
| We became imbued with the idea that a little
| more lawful form OF government would be to
the better interests OF our camp. Virginia City.
then having about 10000 population. So. one
evening. we gathered together on the out
skirts Of the town In an informal mass meet
| ing. and proceeded TO choose from among our.
| selves officers for our local government. Our
organization was the simplest thing in
| the world. We would turn to one OF
| our members and say. You are q pref
| ty square sort Of fellow. and we know you to
be as straight q string. so you shall
be our Judge and to another. You are q
! heavy-built chap and have plenty Of grit aud
| you shall be Marshal l was District Attorney
because had smattering of law. and it was
| upon my ailidavits that all warrants were is
| sued. 1t seems strange in these days to think
OF constituting a court in such an off-handed
way and without the slightest vestige Of Fed
| eral authority: but we did 1t. and our court
was respected by all the citizens Of Virginia
| time ali went well. but after a while. when
| they found We were not hanging SO frequently
Us before. the lawless element grew holder
:" Tho leadsr q this tough part Of our popu,
%s ksd to thos ssS Who
ensased D men
and a ali With hm s'Re woad
| limo them all up to the bar and generally
bass Win next the to h 4ost IL XSqa 5a rs
seai OF With then would walt
| his glass on level with his eye. and about a
| foot from it. and stare. stare stare ut 1t with
terrible intentness for two or three, minutes.
| It from him with terrific force at the mirror.
tho floor. the, bar keeper. or anything that
| volver and begin shooting indecrlminateiy.
| would say to him. 'Slade. give me that pistol
and in n minute he would hand me his gun and
II suppose have, done that same thing ton
or dozen times. l never could understand
with deadly Intent. He simply seemed to be
seized with mad passion. which he could not
ways S Q on hand to do his bidding iavorite
mountansde from their cabin homes. load
| up at the first convenient saloon. and proceed
and In the
when the peaceful citizens got Hp they would
Group GRO D Of shverins and crying women. This
s sch en- Of % tb was the prnc
court. news came that Mr. slais and his
chosen friends had speHnt might at dis
1t as usual. We sent our Marshal with nstruc-
lions to arrest sad d and bring him hin to court
hearing the case. the Court imp9seda fine OF
PENDANT. and he departed: inviting US all to
come and have a drink. Not long after that
same offence, This time the fne was doubled
and paid with the same degree OF aIacrity
hGs aid tire Ro BY es5p
for he was frequently before us. an4 was each |
time ilnol sum double that of the preceding |
,."On one occasion, VIII on the fine had reached |
tho sum Of 500, NJ sIade said 10 had y. not 2,
the t.t'' next time Ii" cams 70 town. He asknow.
edged our power md di4in't, care for ,mG3ney.
came ne to H town several times after that but did
not offer 70 pay the $500. It was not in his ma
sGrf Soue for ike o Sn eo0d Our Mars
shall brought him to tho court room, which |
% o0n at 6 ss95e with
and hams suspended from rafters. Wo used |
soap boxes instead OF chairs, and were
SS H. came in neaceabiy enough. and stood
quietly while tn. Court directed tho Marshal to
the document Sade. quick as a flash. sprang |
at him and ierki",d it out 81 his hands. at the |
the six or eight henchmen Of the tough had
Now ssa heF s pIto at am h sbout sh m e.
this business am not going to be drained
any and am MT going to res9spz1
shall hold You personally responsible for my
personal safety. and II any Of your committee
attempts to touch me will blow your heart
while he was, speaking 7 was thinking;
| and walked out. as if thinking of something
else. walked out on the street. and the first
| man mot was a member Of our Vigilance
| Committee ! explained the situation to him.
and asked him to get on his horse and ride to
| Il camp about two miles away and tell the
| boys we needed them: He set Off in post
| haste and ! turned back toward the. court
| room. Just as turned around came facet9n
| face with Slade and his followers, who had
| walked boldly ont Of court soon after came
| away. Come in and have, something san
| ders.' called the irrcpressible. l said to him.
| Sade, get on your horse and 60 home as fast |
as you can.
80 What do you mean? Why do you toll me
| that demanded Slude.
| Newer mind what moan replied: get |
on your horse and go home
| lie didn't get on his horse and 60 home. |
| but he got on his horse and rode all through |
| town. bringing up at last at tho court room. |
| He was inclined 10 be very proud OF his de- |
| tiance Of the orders of the Court and was in |
| sulting to his Honor. who was still There. Hc |
| was staggering around the store. when ! hay. |
| pencd TO look out of the window and saw that |
| the house was surrounded by armed men; |
| The next minute they wero In tho room and |
| of la, A Ma In,