The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-02-22
LAMGF0R HISTORIAN, WHO WAS PICKED
BY PRESIDENT JOHNSON AS TERRNT ORNAL
GOVERNOR; SENATE REFUSED TO CONFIRM

Henry Tilden was held up by tn
road agents, and Col. Wilbur F
Sanders had his life threatened b,
| Jack Gallagher at Bunton's rancl
on the Rattlesnake, it may be re
imembered that the highwaymer
outrode their intended victims, anc
not finding them at Horse Prairie
returned to Bannack by circuit
Gus route, to learn whether Lang
ford and Hauser had left town, thus
failing to meet the latter, who start
led late from Bannack.
That night when they camped,
Mr.. Langford gave his blankets
and bed in the wagon to another
man who was i'll, and himself slept
on the ground wrapped in a buff
falo robe Awakened toward morn
ing by the increasing cold that her
aids the dawn, he arose and tried to
warm himself by walking rapidly
back and forth, and then went to
the creek, which was near at hand,
but taking the precaution to carry
his gun with him.
Suddenly he heard the sound of
voices and looking through the
willows saw three mounted men on
the road. Curious to learn who
these night riders were, and appre-
hensive of danger, Langford fol-
lowed them down stream a short
distance, to where a break in the
bushes revealed him to the horse
men, who stopped on seeing him
and then rode away, he following.
From the top of a slight rise he saw
an additional rider join the others,
and all, catching sight of him, set
out at rapid pace in the direction
Of Bannack.
Mr.. Langford discovered later
hat the horsemen of his nights
adventure were Plummer, George
ives, Buck Stinson and Ned Ray, /
md he was satisfied that his hav-
ng been seen by them with gun
n his hand saved the lives of him
elf and his companions. The road
gents thought a guard had been
ct at the camp, and it was unsafe
o raid it. The GOODNESS he dis
played on this occasion verifies
Judge Thompson's estimate of Mr.. /
.angford as being man of cour-
ge. t
He was the first postmaster of
'annack, which office he held I'M
] he resigned in 1864, on accepting :
ne position of collector of internal I
evenue for the new territory of
lontana, Lucius Nims-a brother
Flaw of Judge Thompson, sue
eeding him as postmaster.
In 1868 Mr.. Langford was elect
! to the Idaho legislature, which
as held at the capital, Lewiston,
I the extreme western line of that
rritory, a long distance from
and the journey could be
ade only on horseback. 1t was
x months from leaving before the
embers from Bannack returned.
Mr.. Langford was one of the
'ashburn party that went into the
ellowstone National park in 1870
ID his report of the wonders seen
ere, published in the eartern
ess, called the attention of the
orld to that region, and contrib
ed largely to its being conserved
a national playground. When it
IS opened he was made its first
perintendent, and held the posi-
IN for over five years, receiving
salary, and paying all of his ex-
nses.
He was appointed governor of
: territory of Montana, by Presi-
Mt Johnson, but on account of the
late being anti-administration, he
led of being confirmed. This
t is not generally known.
Always interested in local history
:. Langford was both a trustee
4 the treasurer of the Minnesota