The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1922-03-16

w. W. WCpD, q lcoluout VI SucuSJ
Washington, and a Montana pioneer
and member of the Vigilantes of the
early COS is in this state, celebrat.
ed his 87th birthday last week and
told some interesting "reminiscences
of early days in Virginia City.
Discoveries of gold in the west
about this time caused a migration
toward the Pacific, which Mr.. Webb
joined in 1860. Accompanied by
three men, he drove a yoke of oxen
across the plains as far as Denver,
which he reached on May %, 1860.
On the journey up the Platte the
party passed two full tribes of Sioux
and Cheyennes, but encountered no
trouble.
At the time of his arrival a few
weeks after the outbreak of the Civil
war, Mr.. Webb found Denver a rap
idly growing city of some 10000 in
habitants. The first brick building,
fremont House, was under construc-
ton on the west side of Cherry
creek. This building was the home
of the first governor of Colorado, DR..
John Evans, who was appointed by
Abraham Lincoln. Mr.. Webb was
personally acquainted with Governor
Evans.
Mr.. Webb remained in Colorado for
three years. He went from Denver
to Black Hawk, where he engaged in
mining and engineering. AS he ex-
pressed it recently che saw and got
lots of gold"
While in Colorado Mr.. Webb serv-
ed three years in the Ebert guards,
under the command of Captain Hall,
who was afterward governor of Colo
RADIO.
1864 Was Cold.
In 1864, which Mr.. Webb recalls as
the coolest winter he ever saw, he
crossed the Rockies on the overland
stage to California. He visited the
mines at Clifton, Nevada, and soon
returned to Salt Lake, from which
place he set out as trainmaster with
a mule train for Alder Gulch, Mon
There were Is men and IL
wagons in the train. Their route took
hem up the Snake river, which they
at a small island above old
Fort Hall. They arrived at the site
If Virginia City, Montana, on April
1864. Mr.. Webb lived in Mon
for exactly Is years, mining
raising stock. While still a re-
ident of Montana he married Eta A.
at Des Moines, Iowa, April
70, 1872.
In Vigilance Committee.
Mr.. Webb arrived in Montana a
our uyQQKc offor u0nru DIy-oxaa-
eader of a band of road agents and
esperadoes that had terrorized Mon
ana for months, vas hanged by the
ewly-formed vigilance committee.
lie joined the Vigilantes as soon
s he arrived in Virginia City and
ided in the re-establishment of law
nd order. The first hanging in
'hich he participated was that of
ames Brady, convicted of murder
lg a man.
Justice, as melted out by the Wig
committee, was swift and sure,
ut Mr.. Webb says that In no other
ay could life be made secure in
-ontana. The vigilance committed
as an organization of men who had
rown tired of the tyranny of MUIR
- - AObbOAy ahO WCiO Wlllluk ~
Ike desperate measures to bring
bout a reign of law. Outlaws we're
lptured, given a speedy trial and
anged without ceremony. Crowds
lat might have interfered with the
ork of the committee were held
ack by a line of pistols, and at the
ommand of the leader-"men, do
our duty"-there was no hesita-
Gold Discoveries.
James Williams, captain of the
and of vigilantes, according to Mr..
Jebb, was the father of Johnny
villiams, who settled on Williams
Ike in Washington many years ago..
Mr.. Webb made several gold dis
in Montana. He discovered
ony Gulch and sank the first shaft
ere. He also located the first ranch
Willow creek valley. He was liv-
g on Willow creek when Clusters
rec was massacred by the Indians.
During the early days in the west
Webb came in contact with noted