The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-26
DEATH OF A LEADER.
IsLApE DIED FOR TREASON AGAINST
MONTANA TERRITORY.


ing That Was Summary and Must Have
Tsught Lesson to Lawless Men.
| was chief Of the vigilance commit
lee, and we had successfully engineered
about forty or fifty hangings, when we DO
came imbued with the idea that little
more lawful form Of government would be
TO the better interests Of our camp, Vir-
lginia City then having about 10000 popu-
llation. So one evening we gathered to
gether on the outskirts of the town In an
informal mass meeting, and proceeded to
choose from among ourselves officers for
,ur local government. Our organization
was the simplest thing in the world Wa
would turn to one Of our members and say
you are pretty square sort Of fellow
and we know you to be as straight as
string, so you shall be our judge" and to
another, you are heavy built chap and
have plenty Of grit, and you shall be mar
shall" was district attorney because ]
had smattering of law, and It was upon
my affidavits that all warrants were
Issued
Our court was respected by all the citi
zens Of Virginia City, Mon. That is,
most oil of them. For a time all went
veil, but after awhile, when they found
We were not hanging so frequently as be
lore, the lawless element grew holder and
tnore aggressive. The leader of this tough
fart of our population was Mr.. Slsde. One
morning, after we had organized our court,
news came that Mr.. Sladc and his chosen
friends had spent night at disreputa-
ble house, and in the morning destroyed it.
We sent our marshal with instructions to
arrest Slade and bring him to court. In
lue time they both appeared, Slade peace.
lble enough and very gentlemanly. After
hearing the case the court imposed fine
Of twenty-five dollars, which was cheer
fully paid by the defendant, and he de
parted, inviting us all to come and have a
drink. Not long after that Slade was
again before us charged with the same OF,
Tense. This time tho fine was doubled and
paid with the same degree of alacrity
which had marked the previous payment.
| On one occasion, when the fine had
reached the sum of 500, Mr.. Slade said he
had not that amount with him, but would
bring it in the next time he came to town.
He acknowledged our power and didn't
,are for money, as he was man who made
t easily. Well, he came to town several
lines after that, but did not offer to pay
he 500. 1t was not in his nature to long
-emain quiet and soon he was again i'll
irouble for like offense. Our marshal
brought him to the courtroom, which was
I portion OF the grocery store, with barrels
OF Hour and grain around the floor and
bacon and hams suspended from rafters.
We used soap boxes instead of chairs, and
were not very imposing assemblaHe. Mr..
Slade came in peaceably enough and stood
quietly while the court directed the mar
ahal to read the warrant.
As the marshal pulled out the document
slade, quick as q fash. sprana at him and
erked it out of his hands, at the same time
evelng revolver at the heart OF his
,onor. 1t was all done in second, and
he six or eight henchmcn of the tough
lad also drawn their pistols at the same
ime. Now" said Mr.. Slade, ~ am about
ired of this business. l am not going Ia
be drained any more and am not going to
recognize your authority, nor shall pay
hat 800. shall hold you personally re-
'ponsible for my personal safety, and II
any of your committee attempts to touch
me will blow your heart out"
While he was speaking j was thinking,
and before he had concluded quietly turned
and walked out, as If thinking of some.
thing else. l walked out on the street, and
the first man l met was member of our
Vigilance committee. explained the sit
uation to him, and asked him to get on his
horse and ride to camp about two miles
way and tell the boys we needed them.
lie set of in post haste, and I turned back
toward the courtroom. Just as I turned
around I came face to face with Slade and
his followers, who had walked boldly out
Of court soon after came away. "Come
in and have something, Sanders" called
he irreprcssible. l said to him, "Slade
;et on your horse and go home as fast as
iou can"
What do you meana Why do you tell
ne that?" demanded Slade.
| Never mind what / meann replied;
| get on your horse and go home"
He didn't get on his horse and go home.
Int he got on his horse and rode all
through the town, bringing up at last at
he courtroom. He was Inclined to he
very proud of his defiance of the orders OF
| he court, anil was insulting to his honor
Who was still there. He was staggering
round the store when happened to look
nut of the window and saw that the house
vas surrounded by armed men. The next
| minute they were in the room and one OF
! hem was saying Eve want you, Mr..
lade." He turned pale and weakened at
ice. A crowd of his captors surrounded
i'm, and left him safe in their keeping.
went home, and was not there five min
ties when one of the yigilantes came up
nd said, Mr.. Sanders, the boys have
bout concluded that they won't be
'othered with Mr.. Slade any longer, and
" there is no place to keep him safely
hey are going to hang him whether the
curt wills it or not.n I hurried to the
'ourtroom and saw the judge and the
marshal and several others, and after n
conference we agreed that as Slade was
'ound to hang whether by our wishes or
rot, 1t was better to have him executed by
rider of the court and thus preserve our
Did on the community.
We sentenced him to death for high
cason for melting others to rebellion and
himself seeking to overthrow our form
government. When Slade heard OF this
sent messenger for me to come to him
/ once and make q speech in his behalf
Knew that it would be worse than useless
or me to do SO and refused to go on a FOOLS
! rrand. Then he sent me to our Judge
with similar request, but the Judge
moving that he was powerless to prevent
the execution declined to see him. So Mr..
Slade was taken to hill overlooking a
gulch, and moose from gallows FUSED TO
Sheep slipped around his neck
md barrel placed under him. Just as he
VAS about to be swung off the noise of
iorse's hoofs was heard and mounted
woman appeared in the distance coming Mt
I breakneck speed. It was Shades wife;
ut by the time she arrived upon the scene
round which 1000 people were gathered,
he barrel bad been kicked from under
lin, and Mr.. Slade was no more
That is the story Of the execution, and
singular one it was.-Senator Sanders In
erview in Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
When Woman Shines.
Even in the darkest hour of earthly Ill