The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-04-16

Dan r. Conway rest. This individ-
ual, cursed by many and praised by
as many others, raj Captain J. A.
Slade.
AS often as the story of the Vigil
ance Committee has appeared in
print, it is safe to conclude that the
great majority of readers have been
able to form but a vague conception
of the conditions which made neces-
sary the formation and activity of
such an organization. The past 60
years have wrought such a compare
lively rapid and drastic change in
conditions in what is now known as
the state of Montana, that it be-
m a difficult matter for the lay
man to appreciate that only a little
more than half a century ago this
vast commonwealth was virgin in ev-
cry respect, save for the the trails
and posts of the earlier fur traders;
that this territory lay far beyond the
pale of civilized sOciety-beyOnd the
reach of the strong arm of organized
law and order. 1t is not easily appre-
ciated that so short a time ago, the
motley thrOng who had been attract
ed from every nook and corner of the
EdbL anu OOuLA ny L4G AuAC VI JClAOW
metal, was made up, to no small eX-
tent, of the rOugher element, many of
whom were fugitives from justice,
and possessing natural criminal in
stincts-parasites here to wreak pro-
fit, at any cost, from the honest,
la-w-respecting miners.
In later years, much discussion has
arisen as to the justice, or injustice,
of certain verdicts and acts Of the
Vigilance Committee. This is a ma
tural sequence. The bOldness which
characterized the activities Of the
road agents; the fact that the prop
erty and the very lives of honest
miners had become endangered, had
constituted an emergency which must
be met without mercy and regardless
of person. Perhaps mistakes may
have been made, but, in those days,
when justice was pOWerless as we'll
as blind, the sturdy mountain miner
was welding his sword for self
preservation; and, being human, he
was also fallible.
There is, perhaps, nc character in
western frontier history concerning
whom there has been more dispute
than Captain J. A. Slade. His real
character and nature still form the
subject of many a warn cOntrOVer-
sy; for, despite his countless acts Of
violence and his apparent disregard
for any laws, there was probably no
man in the West, in his day, who had
more friends or more devoted follow
ers. His natural charm of manner
won for him the heart of almost ev-
eryone with whom he came in con
tact. So true was this of him, that 1t
has been stated, many of those who
took part in his hanging shed tears,
as they saw the man die.
Captain J. A. Slade-the Captain"
a title of the West, bestowed upon
the man more or less because Of his
being an acknowledged leader-was
born at CarIysle, Clinton county, IL
linois, and is said to have come from
a very respected family.
Of all the men who came to Mon
tana in the wake of the argonaUts.
Slade, in spite of his many good quail
tiles, bore the record Of being the
premier of killers. Before he was SO
years Of age, he had met in mortal
combat and killed 26 men.
Was a Fugitive From Justice
When a very young man, Sladt
killed his first man in Illinois, and
fled into the West, a fugitive. He
found on the frontier, where life wa
cheaply held, that prestige went will
the reputation of a killer. This help
Ell TO spoil him. Having been made
trainmaster for a California-bOUnC
wagon train, and after having beer
out on the road but a few days, h
found himself involved in a differ
ence with one of his drivers. Boil
drew their %revolvers, but the drive,
had the drop on Slade. Slade knew
that he had no chance and intimateC
that they were both foolish to tT,
to kill each other over a trivial mat
ter. He suggested that both drol
their guns and settle their difference
as men, with their fists. The drive
dropped his gun, and Slade, with
laugh, shot him through the heart.
For this cOld-bloOded exploit b
lost his position with the wagOl
train. He went into the WiIds, an
his next adventure consisted Of kill
ing four Indians. He cut off thei
T and sent them to the chief.
Hired Killer for the Overland
The management Of the Overlan
Stage company had been experiencin
much trouble with highWaymen. Fe7
of their coaches we're not stopped.
was necessary to send some fearles
man after the robbers. SHADES repU
tatiOn got him the Job. He was giV
en- the title OF division agent at Jules
burg, but his real duty was to XII
every man suspected Of being
league with the robbers.
He succeeded Agent Jules REM,
Erenchmans for whom the station wa
named. jules resented his discharG
and held Slade responsible for
ID the meantime slade mado SOC