The Ronan pioneer., 1917-11-16
BANDIT CHIEFTAIN
FOR HIGH PLACE

HENRY PLUA1N1ER ASPIRED T1
UNITED STATES MARSHALL
SHIP OF MONTANA.
Enlisted Many Prominent Men q
Territory in His Candidacy; Would
Have Been Appointed But for tn,
Protest of Col. Sanders to Cover
nor Edgerton.
About the time of the creation NJ
the territory of Montana Henry
Plummer was miners sheriff of ali
the unorganized territory west of the
rocky mountains, and at the same
tlhe was the clandestine chieftain
or Inc bandit organization which
held all of what is now Montana in
lts thrall. He decided that he could
pest carry out his blood-thirsty de-
signs by becoming first United States
marshal of the new territory.
| RUNNER was at that time the
most powerful man in the TERRITORY.
lie was at the head of more than 100
gunmen, killers of record, and had
but to lift his finger to mark anv
man in the territory for slaughter.
A few men suspected his relations
with the highwaymen, but none knew
that he was the head of this desner-
ate organization. The rank and file
mad implicit faith in him. AS the
miners sheriff he was the head of
law and order. He was playing in
the role OF DR.. Jeckyl and Mr.. HYDE
on most magnificent scale,
Riches had come to MIN because
OF this connection. He aspired to
even enlarge his powers and
strengthen his organization. The
creation of the new territory of Mon
tana would give him an opportunity.
Whlle Governor Edgerton and Col
onel sanders were organizing the
people of the gold gulches in this
territorial effort, Plummer started
out on a gumshoe campaign of his
own.
He would be United States mar
shal of the new territory. With the
organization of the territory coun-
ties would be formed, and he could
be sheriff of but one county. His
banditry extended all over the ter
rltory. He must have wider scope of
authority. He and some of his lieu
tenants conferred at Robbers Roost
about Is miles down the RUBY river
from Laurin, and his campaign for
the marshalship started.
The bandits had a lot of friends
among powerful people in Virginia
Clty and Bannack. All of the big
gamblers and saloonmen were for
mem. The gamblers who were ham
1llng large sums of money had the
power that goes with money. They
we're for Plummer because he was
u their guild. They were not yery
Keen about the organization of tho
,errltory' but they argued that if it
,ould not be prevented they would
10 What they could to get in control.
Ihere was also a large element of
business men, who knew nothing of
'lummer's connection with the high
"aymen, but who recognized in him
fearless officer of the law, ready to
moot and accurate in his shooting.
earless, and just the type of man
VINO would best serve the territory
n the marshalship, who were inter-
'sted in his candidacy.
One or two other men, who might
lave been candidates for the place.
we're induced to withdraw in Plum
ner's favor. They were told that it
would not be healthy for them to try
o get the position, and they would
lot live to enjoy it's emoluments if
hey were successful.
RUNNERS friends even reached
he ear of President Lincoln, who
would name the marshal. 1t was rem
esented to the president that Plum
aer was just the kind of man need
q to control the turbulent element
n the mountains.
Col. Sanders learned of Plummer's
He managed to get word
0 Governor Edgerton, who was in
washington, lobbying for the crea-
ion of the territory. When the bill
'as passed and the territory of Mon
ana became a reality, President
lincoln named Edgerton as the first
OvernOr.
The president conferred with the !
overnor of the new territory. Just =.
efore his departure, Lincoln said: !
by the way have here a petition, .
'hlch seems to be generally signed,
raging for the appointment of man
amed Henry Plummer as United
tates marshal. What do you know !
bout him?'
Governor Edgerton knew very lit
e against Plummer. But he re-
allied the warning letter he had re-
elved from Sanders a few davs no.
IRE. He told the president about it I
I'D Plummer was not appointed. G
That is how near the great bandit e
lleftain, who was hanged for his n
lines short time afterwards, came :
being named the first United
ates marshal of the new territory
Montana. Had he succeeded the
ign of the robbers might have been
olonged.
lCREASE SMALL HERDS