The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1921-12-30
clL AltTES OF EAnLYDAY MONTANA AND THEIR METHODS;
SHORT HISTORY or THE STATES MOST STIRRING TIME:

his mother in New York, and went
with the guard to an unfinished
building, where the bodies of Plum
mer and Stinson lay. Looking at
them, he asked leave to pray. The
request was granted. The big fell
low knelt down and his lips moved
rapidly, but not word could be
heard. Still praying, he arose from
his knees. The rope was thrown over
a cross beam and a barrel was placed
under it. Wagner asked how long it
would take him to die. He was told
barrel was kicked from beneath his
feet.
On Jan. Is, 1864, the executive
committee met at Virginia City and
condemned six more of the gang, but
one of them, Bill Hunter, crawled
along ditch through the picket line
and escaped for the time being. When
the committee were celebrating, the
doomed men were at a faro table in
a gambling house. One Of them,
Jack Gallagher, made the prophetic
remark: while we are here betting
those Vigilantes are passing sentence
upon u.s.
When morning came Virginia City
was surrounded by pickets. Delega-
tions came marching in from the
neighboring camps. Only those who
received the orders of the committee
knew what was coming. Frank Par
IRISH was brought in first. Until he
confessed it was not known that he
had been engaged in actual stage
robbing. Clubfoot George Lane was
taken next.
Il Five Are Executed
If you hang me, you will hang an
innocent man." he said. But he was
told the proof was necessary. Then
: he became penitent, sent for a min
> lister and talked and prayed with
: him until the procession for the gal
:. lows was formed. AFTERWARDS an
eastern newspaper clipping was found
: in Lanes pockets. saying the motor.
9 ious horse thief had become sheriff
third taken in. He was q fugitive
}, from Monroe county, Missouri, where
g he had killed Littlebury several years
n before. Helm took most solemn
e oath on the Bible that he had not be-
It longed to the band, but the Vigilantes
y knew better. Jack Gallagher was
1t found rolled up in bedding in gamb-
3 ling house. Haze Lyons had bite
II of hot pancake raised on fork when
r. the detail entered the house where
Is he was taking breakfast. Gallagher
y took the whole affair as joke at
es first.
&c What was it all about?" he asked,
n when he was brought into the room
ct with all the other prisoners. And
a when men whom he knew would not
* deceive him told of the sentence, he
rs burst into tears and exclaimed, my
ut God, must die this way
N. But later on he braced up and ours.
n. ed his captors at every step. Each
On prisoner was placed between two Wig
volvers. Guards forming a hollow
on ranks of Vigilantes preceded and four
er, followed. Skirmishers with drawn
le- revolvers scattered through the CROWD
to preserve order. The procession
ed moved down the street and halted II
Vn front of the Virginia hotel. An I'M
III finished building was used for thu
he gallows. The five ropes danglet
nd from a cross beam and five boxe,
use were beneath. AS the column stoot
lily in front of the hotel while prepare
tons were being made, George Ian,
aid called out to prominent bushes
nd man to give him good character.
'as "Your dealings with me have beel
alright, but what you have done out
ON side. don't know" was the reply.
ln- Clubfoot then asked the citizens
The pray with him. They knelt in tn
in street, and then a fervent petitio
tir. was sent up for the doomed man
de: soul. While this was going on Hell,
Sed and Jack Gallagher had on a yer
cue handsome cavalry coat, trimmed wit
fur.
'es- Jack, give me that coat, you nevt
der gave me anything" Helm said I
MS the prayer ended.
ay- Damned sight of use you'll ha,
for it where you're going" was tt
Der retort.
Seeing man he knew at the vii
ars. dow OF the hotel. Gallagher Gale
out:
I'M Say. I'm going to heaven, I'll |
the there some time to open the gate I,
igi- YOU"
oy In the midst of such joking as tn
ulo the guard suddenly opened ranks al
lleu the prisoners were marched to Il
II boxes and put upon them. The noos
ana were arranged around their neck
MS At the last moment Gallagher ask,
'ose for little drink. George Lane loo
was ed up at an old friend upon the we
of building and shouted: "Goodby
old fellow. I'm gone," and springil
ates into the air he kicked the box fro
his, under him and swung off Just befo
the the leader gave the command.
res
,ne- Gallagher Dies Defiant
rted One by one the boxes were knock
nor out from under the waiting men,
the II hope forked lightning W
aus strike every one Of you." were G,
lich lagher's last words.
was Boone Helm stood looking at q,
A lagher's struggling form, and wit