davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

bred gentleman. A boy of sixteen
or seventeen years-Henry Tilden
who came from Our home town
in Ohio and had crossed the plains
with us, returned from Horse Prai-
RE one evening, having been sent
there on business for my father,
and almost overcome by the fright
from which he had not recovered,
told us he had been held up by
three masked men on his way
home, one of them being Henry
Plummer.
The robbers turned his pockets
inside out, but found nothing more
valuable in them, than pocket
comb, and the picture of his girl.
These they allowed him to keep.
The poor fellow was so unnerved
by this experience, and from his
having been thrown from his horse
as he came over the hill south of
town, that he could hardly articu-
late. True to lawyer instinct, my
father questioned him.
care you sure one of those men
was Plummer?" he asked. How
could you know"
"Why, he came into the express
office yesterday where I was work.
ing, to get revolver, and it was
the very same one he aimed at me"
Henry replied. 'And that isn't |
all. You know the overcoat he
wears, that has red-lined cape?
Well, he had it on. No one else
wears a coat like his"
Messrs. Hauser and Langford
lad visited us the night before this
occurrence, and were apprehensive
In attempt would be made to rob !
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
BIG QUANTITIES
OF GRAPES USED
BUTTE CONSUMERS MAKE REC
ORD IN CARLOADS RECEIVED
THE PAST SEASON
Over $500, 900 Worth of the Lucious
Fruit Received During Season;
Red Lodge and Roundup Big Ship
pers, Too.

During August, September and
October, this year, 3,660,000 pounds
of grapes were eaten or consumed in
some other manner in Butte, which
proves that the populace of the min
ing camp is not far behind the natives
of sun-splashed Italy or France when
it comes to absorbing the luscious
purple fruit. Evidently, for there is
nothing to say otherwise, each man,
woman and child in Butte has con-
sumed an average of go pounds of
grapes during the past three months,
or 81 pounds a month.
There drifted into Butte these past
three months just 122 cars loaded
with grapes from the southern Cali
fornia vineyards, roughly estimated
to be valued at $360,000, or maybe
100000. If the grapes were placed
side by side it is estimated they would
circle the globe good many times
and if they were slightly squashed
and little water added and maybe
a bit of sugar, they would quench
the thirst of 100000 dry-throated
individuals.
Some people may think Butte is
little short of "coin," but when each
man, woman and child in the city can
put $40 apiece into grapes for three
months banqueting, things don't look
so bad. Judged along with other
fruits which filled the markets this
summer, italian bananas" were
something the city could boast of in
carloads.
Another strange feature of the
shipments is they were not bound
for brokers, commission men or
stores for the greater part, but were
tagged for certain residents. Meader-
vile drew the greatest number of
carloads, proving luxury to be still
flourishing in that city snug by the
side of the hills.
But if Butte is a friend of the |
Bacchalian fruit, Rocker is even as
much lover, for that little city, al |
though it does not appear in the
who's Who's" among cities of the
United States, it nevertheless can get |
in two months.
Red Lodge in Lead
Red Lodge, however, romps away
with state honors for the number of
grapes imported this year per person.
That enterprising little city had As
carloads, or about 100000 pounds.
Red Lodge is given in the directory
issued by the Rev. Joseph Pope of
the Anti-Saloon league as having
5000 persons.
The total number of carloads of
grapes bound for all sections of Mon
tana this summer was 272, or $780,
600 pounds. webster calls the grape
"a smooth skinned berry of the genus
Wits" but one individual who had
much to do with checking the ship
ments declared 'they are regular lit
tie gold bricks for the rustics of ag-
California.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
BY Martha Edgerton P1assmann

The house in which we lived in
Bannack was rude log structure,
built to be used as a saloon or a
store. 1t stood at the end of the
town, close to the bridge that fur
nished the means of access for ped
estrians to the strip of land on the
further side of Grasshopper creek,
known as Yankee Flats.
This bridge consisted of two
large logs laid side by side, with
no attempt having been made to
level their upper surfaces, and it
was perilous to make the crossing
in the winter, when, slippery with
snow and ice, an assured footing
was impossible; or at other seasons
if rendered dizzy by the swift
stream flowing beneath.
AT the upper end of Yankee
Flats few small log houses were
located. In one of these Colonel
Sanders lived, and few doors
from the Sanders house Henry
Plunmer boarded with his bro
ther-in-law, Mr.. Vail, who had
formerly been in charge of the Sun
river Indian reservation farm.
The side windows of our house
overlooked the bridge, which
Plummer crossed several times
daily, and he consequently soon be-
came familiar sight to me, who
never tired of watching him.
Our fami1ies-those of Colonel
Sanders and our own-knew be-
fore reaching Bannack that Plum
mer was a desperate, having been
enlightened on this point by the
wagon boss of freighting outfit
we met at Snake river, at which
place we also caught a glimpse of
the beautiful young wife of Plum
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

appearance to indicate that he was
a desperate. OF medium height
and light complexioned, quiet OF
manner and always we'll dressed
the best dressed man in Bannack-
he would impress any one favor
ably who met him for the first time
and knew nothing of his record.
Unlike the miners, and other male
residents of Bannack, he never
wore buckskin suit, nor INDUCED
IN buckskin patches to prolong the
life of his garments. He seemed
to find it possible to wear good
clothes, in a locality where few
good clothes could be bought. His
overcoat was that of an artillery
officer, and was conspicuous be-
cause of its red lining. This over
coat helped to identify him when
he, and two others of his band,
were on their way to Horse Prairie
for the purpose of intercepting
Messrs. Hauser and Langford, be-
fore they reached that place.
Unlike the general conception of
a bandit, Plummer never looked
like a walking arsenal. He wore
one or more revolvers, but not os-
tentatiously, although these weap-
ons were very much in evidence if
he needed them. 1t may be recall
ed that in an alteration with an
other man, he was shot in the right
arm, the bullet lodging in the wrist.
This occurred before we arrived at
Bannack, at which time he had
taught himself to shoot with his
left hand, almost, if not quite as
well as he formerly did with his
right
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
ner, who was on her way east.

mer, who was on her way east.
With this knowledge of Plum
mer's character, | was naturally
led to regard him with more GU
riosity than / did the ordinary man
who had acquired only common
place reputation. Always high
waymen appeal to the imagination
of the peasantry and the very
young, as is shown by the endur-
ing fame of Robin Hood, Dick
Turpin, and others, and in 1868
| was very young.
Did Not Look the Ruffian
There was nothing in Plummer's
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

hanged that night. A few hours
later, | heard the men who had
been chosen to apprehend him,
pass our house and go onto the
bridge, the snow creaking under
their feet, because of the intense
cold.
Then followed an anxious time
of waiting, before the loudly pro-
testing snow announced the return
of the little band, and we were told
they had captured Plummer, and
with no attendant casualties. When
they reached the Vail house, Plum
mer opened the door in response
to their knock. He had laid aside
his revolver, and could not defend
himself, when he was caught and
hustled outside. A little later we
heard those who were detailed to
arrest Buck StinSon, and Ned Ray,
had been equally fortunate. This
information came to us from
Henry Tilden, who was sent to our
house for additional rope to be
used in the hanging.
While the bodies of the road
agents were on exhibition in the
empty store building where they
were laid, the women and children
of our family remained within
doors. But one Bannack citizen
took his boy, a child under ten
years, to view the gruesome spec
tacle, in order to impress on his
tender mind the truth of the saying
"The wages of sin is death"
OF the three men hanged that
fateful night, only one weakened
at the last, and that was Plummer.
He begged Colonel Sanders to de-
lay his execution, but his plea could
not be safely granted, as it was not
sure that the Vigilantes outnum-
bered the "road agents." as the
robbers were called.
| heard a man say of Slade, who
killed Jules in the fiendish manner
described by Mark Twain in his
book, "Roughing 1t, and who was
executed by the Montana Vigil
antes: II did hate to hear that
Slade was hanged. He was such
a perfect gentleman" According
to this mans conception of a gen
-leman, which was largely that of
he west of his day, Henry Plum
ner was model of good breeding.
That he had excellent traits of
character is undeniable Under
other conditions he might have
been an honored member of So
,iety, because of his executive abil-
ty, and his power to win the de-
lotion of men. At his worst, he
etained something of the best, and
lie did not die unlamented, even by
ONE who realized that, living, he
vas social menace.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
WHEN HENRY PLUN0MER, BANDIT CHIEF,
DDMED INFLUENTIAL MEN OF gAMNACK
n E RS. MARTHA EDGERTON
M PLASSAfANN, daughter of

| MI PLASSMANN, daughter of
~ Judge Edgerton, creator of
the territory of Montana and its
first governor, was a girl of IA,
when she came to Bannack with
her parents in 1868. She lived
through that stirring period before
there was any civic government or
peace officers in this section.
Henry Plummer, bandit chieftain
and miners sheriff, knowing that
the end of his rule was in sight,
endeayored to cultivate Judge
Edgerton and Colonel Sanders,
then the most influential men in
the Bannack district. On one oc-
casion the bandit invited Judge
Edgerton and Colonel Sanders,
and their families to his Bannack
home for dinner, an invitation that
was almost q command. So these
men, who were among the first to
start the movement which led to
the organization of the Vigilantes,
an organization which hanged |
Plummer and many of his men,
broke bread with the highwayman,
and Mrs. Plassmann here tells |
about that famous dinner, and of |
her impressions of P1ummer.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

them before they reached Horse
prairie, where an addition to their
party would insure their safety
this, and Colonel Sanders adven-
ture the same night at the Rattle
snake stage station, when he went
to stake out mining claims and
came near being shot by one of
Plummer's men, convinced both
Colonel Sanders and my father
that Henry was right in his sur
mise.
Girls, our lives depend upon
your not breathing word of this
affair."" said Colonel Sanders to
my cousin, Lucia Darling, and my
self. 1t is needless to say we heed
ed his caution but | watched Plum
mer cross the bridge that evening
with renewed interest.
Plummer Gives a Dinner
Shortly after the Tilden episode,
Plummer and his sister-in-law,
Mrs. Vail, came to our house to
invite my father and mother to
dine with them on Thanksgiving
day, Colonel and Mrs. Sanders |
having also been invited This |
gave me an opportunity to see how
a bandit conducted himself in the
presence of ladies. I noticed that
he seemed i'll at ease, fitting back
in his chair and scarcely speaking
leaving it to Mrs. Vail to deliver
the invitation.
This invitation was something
like a royal command; leaving the
recipients no choice but acceptance.
Did they dine with Plummer on
Thanksgiving day of 1878? They
certainly did, although they we're
not ignorant of the fact that they
broke bread with a robber and
murderer. 1t was a singular posi-
ton in which to place Judge Edger-
ton, chief Justice of the territory,
the government representative of
law and order, and Colonel Sand
ers, who was later to be the princi-
pal figure of the Vigilantes, to be
oartaking of the hospitality of this
iouble-dyed criminal. What made
he situation more homogeneous,
none of the guests had any illu-
'ions regarding their host, as has
already been noted; while he must
nave known that they had some
uspicion of what he was.
A short time after this dinner.
We learned that the robberies oc-
urring frequently, were due to an
body, of which Plummer
vas the head, and it fell to the lot :
f the Bannack Vigilantes to put
i'm out of the way. I heard the
natter discussed of how this
hould be done, Colonel Sanders
aving come to our house to get
ny fathers advice on the subject.
At first it was planned to warn
hummer of his danger, knowing
e would go for his horse, which
yas kept at the stable near our
ouse but across the street and
tile further up. There men
Mould be concealed to shoot him.
his plan, however, was abandon
/ in favor of hanging him, though
lie latter would be the more dan
erous undertaking.
Plummer's Last Hours
Closely following this discussion
lme the evening when, just at
inset, | saw Plummer cross the
ridge, and knew he was to be
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
A NEW OIL LAMP FREE
Burns 94eo Air.

E. P. Johnson, 500 w. Lake St.,
Chicago, ILL.,, the inventor of won
derful new oil lamp that burns "a
per cent air and beats gas or electric
ity, is offering to give one free to the
first user in each locality who will
help introduce it. Write him for par
ticulars Agents wanted.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

Shenandoah, Iowa-C. B. Carmi-
chael, 55, wealthy farmer living
near this city, and his wife, we're
shot and wounded by son, Claude,
81, following an argument over a
note which the young man had given
his father.
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23

l saw him draw his revolver on
one occasion, and can testify that
he drew it quickly, although my
main thought then was to get away
from his neighborhood speedily.
For some reason I felt no desire to
witness an exhibition of his marks
manship, nor that of the man with
whom he had the quarrel.
First linking of Villainy
Meanwhile | was learning more
concerning this person whom l
watched daily as he went to and fro
from Yankee Flats, and who look
ed SO perfectly the modest, we'll
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
Test This Ont
for Yourself

n FA1IY people who drink coffee regularly are
IVl troubled with insomnia; or they feel nervous
'headachy," or suffer from indigestion.
1t may be hard for such men and women to believe
that coffee is responsible for the way they feel Be-
cause they have always drunk coffee, it hardly seems
possible that this old habit could cause trouble
But there is one sure way to find out whether cof-
fee is harming you. Just stop its for week so,
and drink Postum.
Postum is pure cereal beverage absolutely free
from caffeine the drug in coffee, which disturbs the
health and comfort of many
Alter week or two on Postum, you will sleep
better and feel better; then your good judgment
should decide whether you go back to coffee
tinue on the Road to Melville with Postum.
Sold by grocers everywhere!
The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-11-23
Plummer's Last Hours

Closely following this discussion
came the evening when, just at
sunset, | saw Plummer cross the
bridge, and knew he was to be
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-23
LUMBER FIRM HEAD
LOOKING OVER GROUND
FOR PAPER MILL SITE
W. H. Sullivan Of Bogalusa,
La, Making Trip Down
Warrior River

With establishment of a paper mill
and lumber plant on the banks of the
Warrior river in mind, w. II. Sulli-
van. president of the Great Southern
Lumber company, Bogalusa, La. and
his official family. escorted by r. A
Brown, are making a daylight trip
down the river in, the steamer MI
gent.
The large growth of spruce pine on
the banks of the Warrior has hereto
fore enlisted attention as a source of
material for manufacture of paper
and surveys have been made. This
was done some time ago. Mr.. Sulli-
van and HIS official family are max
ing first-hand survey of the river
to see for themselves.
The Great Southern Lumber COM
orators in the United States. Its huge
plant at Bogalusa rs next to the
largest. being exceeded-In size only
by one in the northwest. In addition
to extensive timber cutting. the Great
Southern also operates a paper mill
al Bosalusa, using pine for raw ma
terial.
Mr.. Sullivan is accompanied by vice
presidents of the company, engineers
and other experts. The trip is a
business one and confined to higher
officials of the company.
The party left Birmingport Tuesday
morning and is taking a leisurely
trip. travelling only during dayli.ghx
so as to obtain a complete survey u
the river
Mr.. Sullivan has been rhaking ar
rangements for this trip for some
time. He was recently In Birmingham
and during his stay here gave Mr.
Brown check for $3.50 for tie tu-
berculosis sanatorium
The Great Southern Lumber COM
pany is one of the richest in the coun
try. and has all the capital required
for Warrior paper mill and lumber
plant if 1t is finally decided to locate
one there. 1t is stated that a paper
mill could be operated with greater
economy in conjunction with a lumber
plant,
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-23
LOCAL MARKETS

Apples-Extra fancy Winesap barrels
1875: extra fancy Delicious. box. 81 so;
txtra fancy ortley box. s3.75: fancy
Winesap. box. SO; fancy Roman Beauty
box, SITS: choice Roman Beauty. box.
So SO; extra fancy Spite. box. Is; email
Jonathan. box. So rs.
Bananas-Per pound. &c.
Beans--California lima, regular, IL o;
navy firm. pound SIC; pink beans. 90.
Cabbage@Mobile. crates. $3.50.
packages Dromedary. case. $500.
Evaporated Apples-Selah brand. 1910
pound: choice New York. SO pound box,
SC pound; SO 16-ounce. New York stock.
TIC.
Evaporated Peaches-Fancy. 50-pound
box. per pound. zoe; choice. 16Ac; fancy.
25-pound boxes. 2lc.
Peeches-Practically peeled, 50; 60 IL
ounce packages not quoted.
Grapefruit-Box. 81 80.
Lenions-Californa. box IS; imported
Mackerel-14o count. barrels. s22.b 50
ounce. kegs, 7.60.
Onions-Per pound. 4hc.
Oranges-2oo, 21s; $50 IFS to box. $3.50;
Beans-Fresh. So per hamper.
Celery-Fiorida. So 20 per crate; S1.25
dozen.
Cucumbers-$5 per crate.
Eggplants-$5 per crate.
Lettuce-Iceberg. per crate. $3.50.
Peppers-t'lorida. per crate. IS.
Tomatoes-Fancy. crate. "a. so; choice.
crate s3.76.
Potatoes-Colorado Irish. per pound
2%c: Michigan. pound, 2hc; sweet. 100
pound sacks. pound, 21zc: new Irish, per
barrel. sll:' No. 1921 so. per pound &c.
Peanuts-Aiabama, raw, pound Sc; roast
edd. SIC. Virginia raw, 10c; roasted 10 Nc.
Prunes-Pitted, sc 1l-ounce packages.
l5c: rs pound box. 1880 TO pound, 12Ac;
Strawberries-South Alabama. $500
S. per crate.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-23
BUYERS WIN FIGHT.
n STOCK MARKET
AS PRICES co UP
Two Factions Work Hard For
Supremacy During
Session
BY WALTER u. BROWN
Editor New York Commercial

BY Leased Wire to The Age-HeraId.
NEW YORK, May 22-Two fac
tions worked hard for supremacy in
today's stock market with very active
trading as result. These on the
buying side won, for the days aver
ages showed a fractional net advance
for both industrials and rails. The
bears took advantage of every turn,
but there was always a ready mar
ket for their offerings. and 1t was
quite evident from tho start that
stocks were going into strong hands.
One large banking institution was
credited with purchasing fully 10000
shares of various items on the list
en- the theory that stocks are now
on the bargain counter. One develop
ment that helped considerably was
the reduction in the call money rate
to per cent, following the easing
of the strain caused by government
financing. Automobile companies
vigorously denied their intention to
curtail production, Notwithstanding
the reports that were issued from De-
troit yesterday. One feature of re-
cent operations has been the circu-
lation of misleading reports to say
nothing of the flooding of the market
with fake orders.
Outlook Still Optimistic
While there has been scTne read
justment of commodity prices and
the premiums for prompt delivery IN
steel have been eliminated to a large
extent there is nothing visible as yet
to impair confidence in the stability
of business. 1t may be true that
manufacturers particularly of tex
tiles are proceeding cautiously In
view of advancing prices. But that
is an insurance against initiation, the
thing which is most dreaded at this
time. There is no evidence of top
heavy inventories stocks passing into
strong hands because everyone is
trying to avoid them, nor are there
any reports of cancellations. When
these begin to show up. it will be
time to worry. The steel companies
are booked ahead for six months.
and it is not particularly significant
therefore that buyers feel inclined to
let them digest these orders, to say
nothing of the unwillingntss OF the
companies themselves to commit
themselves in the face of advancing
costs. 1t is true that there has been
some slowing dc WI, but it is a good
sign and not a bad sign. We were
going ahead too fast, and were bid
ding up prices on. ourselves unneces-
sarily. The unfavorable feature in
the situation is the attempt of labor
particularly in the building trades to
force higher wage schedules which
they are succeeding in doing in va
rious localities. The effect is already
noticeable in the hating Of building
operations.
The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-05-23
EXCITED ADVANCE
IN COTTON PRICE;
CLOSING STRONG

NEW YORK. May 22.-There was
an excited advance in the cotton mar
ket today, on increasing apprehen-
ton reports and covering by July
shorts which seemed to be influenced
by prompt stopping of additional May
notices. July led the advance. selling
up to 26.9Sc or 1874 points above the
closing quotations Of yesterday and
3.3S points above the low price touch
ed on the decline of May IL. July
closed at 26.91c, with the general
market closing strong at net advances
of SO to 40 points.
The market opened firm at an ad-
of rains in the western belt. Liver
pool was rather disappointing and
there were moderate reactions right
after the call, but the market soon
firmed up again on the continued
strength of May contracts in the race
of notices representing about o,boo
bales and unfavorable private crop
advices The first private crop re-
port of the season appeared during
the morning, placing the condition
at III and the indicated yield at ~
5000. This evidently made bull
ish impression on sentiment which
was intensified by a belief that be-
tions. later reports would show a
condition still further below the ten
year average, and the market was
very firm during the late morning
and early afternoon. Realizing caused
slight reactions later but 1t brought
in a broadening demand and the
highest prices of the day were touch
ed in the late trading when there
were reports of a better tone In the
stock market and rumors that an OPP
timistic statement of some sort re-
garding general conditions was ex-
pected from the federal reserve board.
May sold up to 24.S5c, making net
advances of 1871 to 1874 points on old
crop months, while october advanced
to 24.o2c, with new crop deliveries
showing net gains of 9S to los points.
Exports today, 3.44 bales, maRlne
4 3So153 bales so far this season. Port
receipts, 7,173. United States port
stocks, 411,344.