Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1928-09-27
Nugget Had Part
Inn Division of Idah0e
Creation of Montana

to Washington in all its forms: in quartz,
as gold dust and nuggets, nor did they
fail to carry ingots of the precious metal
in proof that enough gold was produced
to call for the erection of quartz mills.
These gold bars, according to my recol-
lection, were about three or fou inches
long and two wide, and cast in molds
after the gold was melted in a crucible.
1t CHANGED on a time that a crucible
broke and its contents, running out,
formed In cooling a golden mass about
the charcoal used for heating. 1t was a
beautiful object, and looked as though
1T might have been dug from the earth.
MIR. Thompson, a merchant of Bannack,
an active member of the first territorial
legislature, and the designer Of our seal,
purchased the nugget (?) and gave it
into my fathers custody.
I have already told how gold bars were
quilted into the front of the latter's over
coat by my mother, making that garment
suspiciously heavy, and how he never
permitted anyone else to carry it, or the
suitcase which held the nugget, gold dust
and other specimens, while he was on his
way east.
1t would have been no slight under
taking under present travelling condi-
tions, to have assumed responsibility for
1900 NA 'AONA ~ oOA0 ~ ~ AOA16 q
distance. In that February of 1868, the
journey from Bannack to Salt Lake was
made by pack train. The weather was
intensely cold, yet not enough so always
to render the ice, the sole bridges of the
rivers to be crossed, safe for transit. A
member of the party broke through the
ice while crossing q stream, but was res
cued by his companions.
Although the first lap of the journey
yfa q nvf~nron1r 1aunxIn,,r -%x,A D,.xo -
anxiety was eliminated when Henry
Plummer and his band were hanged,
There is not the slightest doubt that
Plummer had planned to waylay the
party, which expected to leave for the
east In December, but postponed going
because my father learned of the road
agent organization and that Plummer
was it's head.
Plummer had asked when my father
would go east, and stated that he wished
TO send a package by him. Naturally,
his was not reassuring. All of our fam
lily then knew that Henry Plummer was
a robber n murderer as we'll as sheriff
We had been certain of this ever after
Henry Tilden, a boy who crossed the
plains with us, was held up between
Bannack and Horse Prairie. Already, in
December measures were being taken to
apprehend Plummer and remove him
from this earthly scene. My father on
cluded to postpone his trip until this
was accomplished. At the time he left,
the danger from road agents was over.
and this section was said to be the most
law abiding in the country.
Mr.. Thompson, by arrangement with
my father, preceded him to Washington
where, together with others from here,
he did valiant service in bringing about
the division Of Idaho and the creation of
Montana.
Creates Favorable Impression
When the nugget arrived, it played an
important part in proving the wealth OF
the proposed new territory, where 1t was
believed, such masses of gold existed and
could be dug from the ground with pick
and shovel. 1t was universally admired
One man was so impressed with Its
beauty that he wished to buy 1t. His
name was Colonel Hunkins. He paid
$500 for the specimen. with the under
standing that 1t was to remain in Wash
ington until its purpose was accom-
plished, n then he requested 1T be
sent to his daughter in Galena, Ill, to
serve as a mantel ornament.
Its further history is not known. 1t
o be interesting to learn II this sim
gular formation is still in existence, or
what became of it,. Could 1t be located,
perhaps some one of our generous multi
millionaires might be induced TO pur-
chase 1t for the historical library, where,
in the proposed new building the big
! nugget" could be suitably housed.