The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-07-12
IN vIGILANTE DAYS.

many incidents OF early DAY life Il
which he took a prominent part, AM
of these "reminiscences there is 40 NOR
interesting story than that relating I,
the stral of George Ives, the murder
Gus bandit, whose conviction and ex
ecution by a miners court was fol
lowed by the organization of the Mon
tana v%igilantes. The story has bee,
told again and again, but it is Away.
worth the re-telling as an event i,
Montana history that had the mos
beneficent results. Judge w. Y. Penn
berton, of this city. who took part il
the trial Of George Ives, contribute:
to the Anaconda Stand ard a sketch
Of the proceedings which reads 10 par,
as follows:
Colonel Sanders was in many re.
spects the most remarkable character
developed or known in the history OF
the great northwest. | first met him
at Virginia City in the fall of the year
1861. Alder gulch vas her in the
early days of its glory. 1t was the
Mecca of the fortune.seeker. 1t was
also the rendezvous of a band of rob
bers as Infamous as Alder was famous.
These pests and criminals were daily
engaged in highway robberies that had
created a condition of terror among
the honest people. Their dastardly
acts Of wand alism and murder at last
eliminated in the assassination Of a
young German by George Ives and
Alex Carter, two Of the noted outlaws.
George Ives was arrested and brought
to trial for murder before Judge Don
l.. Byam, the miners Judge.
1t was her that | came to know
Colonel Sanders intimately. He pros
ecuteu that celebrated case, assisted
by Major Charles S. Bags. Judge
Alexander Davis, j.. NJ. Thurmond
and II. =. \. Smith defended Ives.
The trial was not by the vigilance
committee, as has been enormously
supposed by many people. The trial
was open, before the miners court and
a Jury Of ~ men. 1t took place in the
streets of the little mining town Of
Nevada, one mile below Virginia City.
1t Ia ia the dead Of winter around a
big log fire in the street.
| and w. II. Patton we're selected TO
write down the testimony, which we
did with gloves on our hands, sitting
around the fire. All around the court
stood hundreds of sturdy miners dur
ing the days the trial progressed. The
picture Of that court scene was as
grand as unique. The trial was as
orderly and fair as ever occurred in
any court, however dignifed.
The evidence against Ives was con-
elusive, as we'll as against Carter,
who had temporarily escaped. Never
have forgotten the closing argumen,
of Colonel Sanders in that eventual
trial. l a never forget his forceful,
fearless, eloquent and convincing ap.
peal for the enforcement of the law for
the protection Of life and property In
this then new and wild country. His
fierce excoriation OF the lawless ele.
ment then practically in control of the
country vas absolutely terrible. 1t
may be remarked here that Henry
Plummer, the leader of the robber
gang, vas the sheriff and nearly all
OF the others his deputies. 1t is need
less to say that Colonel Sanders
speech had the desired effect. The
Jury retired and soon returned a ver-
dict of guilty and fixed the death pen.
atty upon Ives. He was hung a few
hours afterward on an improvised
scatfold. Then l got an idea Of the
fearless character of Colonel Sanders.
All his future acts and history have
but confirmed me in the opinion | then
formed of him.
In all his conduct immedi ately sue.
ceeding this event he displayed the
same fearless determination to ex.
terminate this band Of robbers. He
was the inspiration and sword of the
vigilance committee that was immedi.
ately formed and which ran down and
rid the country OF the Plummer gang
OF robbers. He was everywhere. He
did not sleep. He was at Virginia
City when Boone Helm, Jack Gala.
CHER, Hays Lyons, Frank Parish and
Clubfoot George were hanged. He
directed at airs when Plummer and
others were hanged at Banuack. Hi
directed operations when ande,
Carter, Skinner and others wer.
hanged at He'll Gate. He was Their.
when Sladc vas hanged afterw ards a
Virginia City. Nor did he cease hi.
efforts until the last of the gang hal
paid the penalty for his murderou.
conduct.
Missouri bottoms Flooded.