davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

tains; and consequently there was little
harmony and good men from those
three parties took longer to find each
other out, to know who were roughs
and who were their friends, than if
they all had been from one place or
longer acquainted. Again, every man
had left his home to better his condi-
ton. Bannack was not supposed to be
a settlement, but simply a mining camp
where every one was trying to get what
he could and then go home. Conse-
quently the majority were simply trying
to attend to their own business and to
let that of others alone"
The killing of a man did not affect
them unless it was clear, as in the case
Of Crawford, their own lives being en-
dangered. The favorite saying of the
pioneers was THE only good Indian is
a dead One,". and the Bannack pioneers
were ordinarily of the same opinion.
However, when a dead Indian was like
ly to result in several dead whites, the
defunct Indian was differently regard
ed. Tribal law required blood for blood
and it was not at all particular that
the blood should be that of the MUIR
derer; vengeance would be satisfied if
it were one of his tribe who was slain.
A number Of Indians had been killed
on the hill above Yankee Flats. Would
all the inhabitants of Bannack be mas
sacred in consequence? The gravity Of
their situation at length served to
rouse the miners, who realized that
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

relate, while this investigation was 60
ing on in the Indian lodges the muir
derers returned reinforced and, regard
less of the presence Of the whites and
the Wailings and anguish of the be-
reaved savages, fired the contents of
their guns and revolyers into the lodges,
wounding four white men-one mortal
ly-and more Indian women and chill
dren."
OF these different accounts the most
reliable seems to be that of Fergus,
who visited the lodges at the time Of
the murders and recorded it the same
Gay in his journal. Dimsdale's story
was founded on hearsay and Langford
told of it long afterward, depending
upon his memory of what he learned
from town talk and the trial of the
murderers. Fergus says. THE miners
were fairly aroused, a meeting was held
and men appointed. or rather volun-
teered, to follow and bring back the
murdererS who were known to ha re
left town on the Deer Lodge road"
Bannack Feared Reprisals
1t will be observed the miners were
not especially reused by the killing of
Cleveland by Plummer in midday, but
the attack OF the Indians might have
serious results for the whole cOmmun-
ity. The Bannack tribe was by no
means insignificant and it would ma
turally follow, if the whites did not
take steps to apprehend and punish
the murderers, the tribe would seek to
avenge the wrong done them. Why
the miners did not at once arrest
Plummer is we'll explained by Mr.. Fer
gus in this same journal entry, as fol-
lows.
And here l will say that Bannack
was settled principally from three
points, viz: Disappointed Colorado
miners who had started for Salmon
river and were generally known as
Pixies Peakers, the Fiske and other
Minnesota emigrants, sometimes known
as 'Tenderfeet,' and prospectors and
roughs from the west side Of the noun
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09
River Troubles
County Commissioners
Won't Rum Under Bridge

vanced by Mr.. Shipman. Referring to
this subject. he stated: In regard to
the construction of a new bridge as q
federal aid project, the Powder river
commissioners state that they have
about 100000 invested in the present
bridge, that they spent around 81 200
TO 81 800 every year on protection work,
and that they expect TO have to spend
a larger amount, possibly $4,000 or S10,-
900 this year, and they naturally would
welcome the commissions taking their
problem off their hands. The bridge
serves a considerable territory SOUTH
east of Broadus in addition to a large
through traffic between Miles City and
the Black Hills, and there is no other
bridge available for some distance up
or down the river. A new bridge will
surely be required here at some future
time as the present bridge is neither
wide enough nor heavy enough for our
requirements"
Powder river. rising in the Big Horn
nountains in Wyoming and emptying
into the Yellowstone river at a point
about IS miles east Of Miles City, is
the source OF the inspiration that
raised the famous World war cry:
Powder Riverl Let Ell Buck" that
spread through the trenches as the
rallying cry for an advance upon the
enemy
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

of acquittal, knowing SO well with
whom they had to deal.
When the aroused miners were pre-
pairing for action, Plummer, who die
not himself feel altogether safe from
their newly awakened sense of justice
FASTENED to the Rattlesnake in advance
of Reeves and the others, but returned
with them, whether under arrest OF
not I cannot affirm. If not arrested
before, he must have been later as he
was tried with the Indian murderers
Plummer had, a few days previous tc
this Indian slaughter, killed Jack
Cleveland in a saloon brawl. The two
men had been associated in crime in
the gold camps of the west and came
to Montana together. At Sun River
they q~uarreled over the woman who
afterwards became Mrs. Plummer
men could not help but have seriou,
consequences. They met at Bannack
Cleveland, while intoxicated, threatened
to kill Plummer, met him in a saloon
a few minutes later and Plummer, with
in his rights because of this threat
shot him.
The question of how the accused
should be dealt with proved hard tC
settle. There were no courts as We
know them here then. 1t was about
eight months after these happenings
before my father, the first United
States judge, arrived in Bannack anC
he was unable to qualify.
Bannack Miners Court
Not being able to govern themselves
by usual legal procedure, the miners Of
California, who were property owners
formed what they called miners
courts, with a judge chosen by them
selves, to have both civil and crimina
jurisdiction. He appointed the time
and place of trial, which were made
public through written notices. On The
day set the miners left their work tC
attend the trial, as they constituted the
court. Witnesses were examined either
by attorneys or the parties interested
the judge stated the case and callec
for the decision which was given il
the form OF ayes or noes, or througl
standing aside until they were counted
The judge then pronounced sentence
and had it entered upon the record. j
1t were death, the condemned was al
lowed an hour before the execution Of
the sentence; if Punishment, the time
was occasionally slightly extended.
Langford relates the story Of a mar
who was tried at Blackfoot and grant
ed but Is minutes to leave camp. Leap
ing on the mule his friends had pro-
vided for such a possible decision in hi:
case, he exclaimed. Fifteen minutes
Gentlemen, if this mule doesn't buck
five will dol" and plying the whip tC
his mount, he soon vanished in tht
distance.
The miners judge not only renderec
the decision. it fell to his lOt m SEQ thaf
it was executed and to aid him ht
could call out the full force of Tho
community. Always, however, the de
feated party could demand that a sec.
ond vote be taken.
Frequently the miners announced
how much time should be given to thu
case and cross-questioning wa no
common. If lawyers were employed
they were charged not to indulge il
long arguments, and witnesses were t.
give their testimony in a plain
straightforward manner. Anyone il
the court room wishing to clarity thu
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09
EXPECT MANY AT
MISS0ULA MEET
MANY NOTABLES TO ATTEND
CONFERENCE
National Anti-crime Meeting at Gar
den City Will Be Held July 1929;
Northwest Association of Sheriffs and
Police Convene.

Three thousand persons, including
former Secretary of War Newton ID.
Baker and Richard Washburn Child.
a former ambassador to Italy and
well-known writer, and many ma
tionally known authorities on crime
prevention, will be invited to the Ma
tiOnal Anti Crime conference that
will be held at Missoula July Is to 20,
during the convention of the North
west Association of Sheriffs and
Police, it is announced by Luke S.
May of Seattle, president of the as
ISOLATION.
In an address to the Missoula Cham
Der of Commerce directors, he asked
that the public be urged to attend the
meetings and said that enforcement
problems were no more those Of police
and sheriffs than they were of jurists.
He maintained that crime in the Unit
ed States was becoming a matter that
should require the attention of all citi-
zens, that the financial loss to citi-
zens was increasing as a result OF the
increase in crime. He compared the
Canadian and American police systems,
showing how the Canadian officer is
aided in suppression OF crime by the
laws under which he works.
There is only one criminal code in
Canada, he said, and that is get your
man. The Canadian officer, he con-
tinued, has the right to arrest in all
of the provinces and is unrestricted.
He declared that in the United States,
an officers authority extends only to
cities or counties and that the officer
must depend upon the voluntary CO.
operation of officers in other counties
or states.
Mr.. May was in Missoula to make
arrangements for the convention.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

the court and jury. j. F. Hoyt was
elected judge, Hank Crawford, sheriff
(the one who later shot Plummer), and
George Copley, prosecutor" Copcly
was later destined to be the victim OF
Pizanthia.
An attorney for the defense was Sc
lected, no other than the Hon. w. G.
Rheem, an excellent lawyer, which
COpley was not. The accused wished
Langford to act as foreman Of the
jury. This he declined, but was later
compelled unwillingly to accept the po-
sition by his fellow jurymen.
1t did not take the jury long to &C
quit Plummer of Cleveland's murder,
on the plea Of self defense. Many had
heard Cleveland threaten to kill him.
Mitchell was accorded a separate trial,
which resulted in a sentence OF BAN
ishment.
Everyone was convinced that Moore
and Reeves were guilty OF the Wanton
killing of the Indians, yet their friends
sought in every way to intimidate the
jury. Gathering around the outside
of the enclosure occupied by the jury,
they kept up a continued conversation,
the purport of which was that no men,
Der of that court or jury would live a
month if they dared to find the pris-
oners guilty. Occasionally their anger
waxing hot, they would draw their
pistols and knives and brandiShing
them in the faces Of the jurymen, utter
filthy epithets and bid them beware of
their verdict. Crawford was al object
Of their especial hate Because of this
he once resigned but his resignation
was not accepted.
At seven o'clock the case was given
to the jury, which elaborated for five
hours, not regarding the guilt OF the
accused, which could not be de-
MED, but whether they dare personally
would be to announce their own death
sentence. They knew the friends Of
the prisoners fully intended to have
life for life. They had sworn it," The
verdict stood eleven for acquittal and
one, Langford, against. The accused
were sentenced to have their property
confiscated and that they be banished.
Only a short time elapsed before Nit
chell was back in Bannack, and as
nothing further was done in his case,
the sentences against Reeves and
Moore were revoked and they returned
to gladden. the hearts of the COM
munity.
Mr.. Fergus states that Judge Smith
was attorney for the prisoners. "Col.
Mclean would have nothing to do with
it and we were just like a mob with
out a leader" Then follow these sig
nificant words: Had these cases been
prosecuted like that Of George Ives,
then Plummer, Moore, Reeves and
Mitchell would have been hanged, no
road-agent band would have been or
ganized and no necessity would have
existed for a vigilance committee
OF the same opinion was Dimsdale.
To the delivery of this unfortunate yer-
dict may be attributed the ascendency
Of the roughs. They thought the peo-
pie were afraid of them. Had the ques-
ZION been left to old Californians or
experienced miners, Plummer, Reeves
and Moore would have been hanged
and much bloodshed and suffering
would have been thereby prevented.
No organization of the road agents
would have been possible"
This state of affairs was directly at
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

testimony, could ask questions of the
witness through a lawyer, OF one who
acicd as such. Langford claims these
courts were always held on Sunday
and p the open air. The one my father
attended the day we reached Bannack
Wa Aeld on a week day and in a build
ing
The formality of these cases was
fretiy interspersed by EXPLANATIONS like
dry up!' no spread-eagle talk" and
sometimes stronger language. At the
court my father attended on the occa-
sion mentioned, there were frequent in
teimlssions for liquid refreshment, Of
when all partook with zest.
Reeves and his companions, includ-
III Plummer, were fully aware of how
the miners regarded them and under
sto0d their danger if they should be
tired IN a miners court, and surren-
oered to their captors OF the condi-
ton that they be tried by jury. Hor-
rliled 10 learn on their return to Ban
mack that the motion had carried to
Try them III a miners court, they clam
oied Tor a trial by jury. Men in a mob
or q mass dare do what they could not
be persuaded to undertake as indivi-
GNals. These desperadoes believed any
- hidil Noulu piiAc iio llle wv highly
TO decide against them.
Langford had been sent for to at
tend the meeting and came from his
saWmill to raise his voice in protest
against disregarding the promise made
the prisoners that they should be tried
By a jury. Then pandemonium reigned
for about three hours while the ques-
ton was under discussion, knives and
reyolvers were drawn and some shots
fired. There were many personal COL
lisions, resulting in bloody noses, black
eyes and raw heads that took place in
all parts of the room" At length
L~angford's arguments prevailed and by
a small majority jury trial was chosen.
Order at length being restored, a
portion Of the room was enclosed with
scantling, for the accommodation of
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

none were safe until Reeves, Moore
and Mitchell were tried. The old law
of Everyone for himself and the devil
take the hindmost," no longer was
popular when every man feared he
might bring up the rear of he pro-
cession.
The men commissioned to bring in
the guilty parties had M difficulty in
performing their task, and we are not
told that they met with any resistance
from their prisoners, who felt confident
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

In the early days
was through the
action of the Wig
ilante o%rganiza-
ton.
1 speak of this
man as probably
well-meaning," as
we have no other
way of judging his
intentions than
his own assertion
which may or may
not be true.
The affair Oc-
CURED before l
reached Bannack,
and This account
Of it is derived
T m three
sources. Vigilante
Days, by N. P.
Ianpfnrd. Prnfec-
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

Police officers of Butte fear an cpl
demic of %hydrophobia in their ranks.
A jailer was forced to lay off work for
several days when a male prisoner bit
him, severely decorating his hand, and
the latest victim of the dog-lke tao
tics was Detective Jack Gerry, who had
his finger partially gnawed away when
he arrested Mary Doe On an intoXica-
ton charge. The dicks" are thinking
of putting muzzles on their prisoners.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

tributable to the mistaken act of Ma
than.el P. Langford in advocating a
jury trial for the accused. He meant
well, undoubtedly, but the effect of his
intercession was disastrous to the COM
munity. Good intentions need to be
qualified by common sense. Had a
miners court handled that case, Vigil
lante Days and Ways would never have
been written.
Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-05-09

(By MRS. M. f. PLASSMANN)
THIS is a story Of how a probably
well meaning mar defeated the ends
= Of justice, causing the loss of many
lives and proving, without the shadow
of doubt, that the only way of curb
ing laWleSsneSs prevailing in Montana
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-07
RyAn5cAkSklM -

"Wednesday. the day before Thanks
giving. was = day of hectic excite
ment and hustle. for Cherry had sud-
denly decided OIL Monday to invite
the entire family to cat Thanksgiving
dinner with her. Bubbling over with
one OF her rare but irresistible at
tacks Of generosity. she had telc-
phoned her invitations and battered
down all opposition.
ITS a shame you won't be here
to help eat all the gorgeous things
you're helping to cook, Tony she
Sympathized at luncheon Oh Wedncs-
day. do you really have to 20 to the
ROSES tomorrow? Therc'd be plen-
ty of room at table for you and your
father"
Sorry. but l promised Mrs. Ross
Tony answered. Are there really
fourteen Of you? 1t must be COR
geous to be II OF such a big fam
lily"
Fourteen not counting the three
babies" Cherry assured her proudly
Il used to think it was anything but
a blessing to be ono OF a big family,
when there were six of US cooped ur
III that dismal shack Of ours on Mvr-
tie street. We were forever stepping
OH each others actual and spiritual
corns. but when you can take you,
family or leave it alone, it's rather
fun to belong to a clan. Just think
III lees than three years that family
of six has turned into a family OF
seventeen and it would be eighteen
u MugGy were still with us, only il
she were Dad wouldn't be married tc
Kate Lundy. would hc?"
Because her blithe voice trc,nblce
On the pet name by which sh, h2t
always called he dead mother. nc,
husband %llastenca to inquire casually,
How do you make it seventeen
honey? I've been casting Zip &C,
counts, and | can make it come ou>
only sixteen. Have you been holdins
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-07

ton and operation began. The prov
lnces we're divided into districts and
districts into subdistricts. Thus. Nc
Phail said. Saskatchewan has is dis
tricts. each with its director, and l60
subdistricts. each of which elects a
delegate once a year. The delegates
arc the governing body; they elect
tho central selling board. composed
or three members from each
provincial pool.
Between 10000 and 100000 wheat
growers now deliver their wheat to
tho pools and the central agency sells
it as If it we're mans wheat. This
year it expects to handle more than
$50, 900. 900 bushels. from So TO 81
per cent of all wheat produced In
western Canada. The pools own near
~ 1900 country grain elevators.
The pool tries to judge the market
from day to day and sells when 1t
gets tho most favorable price. II the
market is weak the pool stays out.
Great secrecy is maintained regard
ing its selling operations.
When the farmer delivers his wheat
he is advanced IS cents a bushel, with
two subsequent interim payments and
a final payment in the fall when the
balance Of the crop Is sold. Actual
overhead administrative costs. Nc
Phail told tho senators. amounts only
to about sixteenth Of a cent a
bushcl.
Two cents a bushcl each year is
taken from the proceeds Of sale for
tho purpose Of acquiring the pools
own grain handling facilities and l
per cent of tic gross sale for a COM
mcrcial reserve.
Seeks More Members
McPhail estimates that control Of
somewhere between IS and IS per
cent of total acreage will be neccs-
sary TO obtain maximum success in
operation and a continuous educa-
tional campaign is going OH for more
members. There has never been any
campaign for reduction of acreage.
The Canadian wheat farmers are
far better off than in 1923. McPhail
says. Many of them have not Joined
because they get the benefit OF bet
ter price levels whether they Join or
not. When it comes to marketing
their crop. it's a question Of whether
their judgment can match that of the
best brains Of the pool.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-07
IN NEW YORK


New York, May lin the mid
morning sunlight. the giant Atlantic
liner seemed to rise like an animated
mountain above tho small craft
packed about it in the same snug
berth.
It's beam reflected the silver-spun
TcstlessnesS of the water and it's dis
play Of varied flags fluttered the an
nouncement Of sailing day. A few
nervous launches nosed about. on no
apparent errand. "A couple Of stolid
tugs stood by, like husky laborcrs
ready for the hard days work.
And jammed against the parallel
pier was q coal barge. It's shovel
dipped and rose with that disturbing
rattle and clang peculiar to such
barges. Looking at the barge, there
was nothing to indicate that anything
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-07

0 than a casual routine was to be
found OH board.
!. for one, happened to know diff
~ferently!
Now the miracle of birth-if mir.
acle il be-knows no locale, no geOg-
raphy, no boundaries. It is as uni
versal as space!
There was, you may remember, a
certain manger in Bethlehem. .
Peasant women has stopped suddenly
III their fields at the pain Of life STIR
ring within them -. Country doc
tors have whipped their lazy nags
along desolate country roads.
And so. too. there was q coal barge,
caught in such a crush Of water traf-
fic as you could find only in Man
haitian!
Which brings me to my story.
A friend, who happens to be 4 call
nurse for the Henry Street Settle
mcnt, had once promised to phone me
whenever she encountered 4 scene
which she thought might be interest
ing to me In observing New York life.
and on this morning I had Z call TO
come down to . coal barge on the
waterfront.
The cobble stoned thoroughfare up-
on which the pier faced was more
alive than usual with activity. There
In = fevAriehnAex r~n0nneAaA 18TH tl>n
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1929-05-07
Nv RODNEY BUTCHER
iNEA Service Nri(crl

Washington, May 7.-Cooperativc
effort. such as this administration
proposes to encourage as a partial
remedy for agricultural ailments,
seems to be moro or less responsible
for the fact that the farmers Of Can
ada have been able 10 worry along
without depending Oh parliament for
extensive help.
Consideration Of tho success Of the
western Canadian wheat pool may
throw II light on tho possibilities
of similar success iii this country, now
that a federal farm board is TO be set
up with the aim OF Strengthening out
our OWL farm troubles.
The relative concentration Of the
Canadian wheat fields and tho fact
that there arc so many producers in
Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta
who grow wheat alone has enabled
the growers Of those three provinces
to accomplish what American farm
Crs have been unable to do by them
selves. Canada exports 400 .OO0. 900
bushels OF wheat in a single year. far
more than the United States.
Saved Huge sums
Her wheat pool officials are con
WINGED that they have saved and
earned substantial sums for Canadian
farmers whilc influencin. tho world
market. though. they don't believe
they arc getting a fair price. II
ought to be mentioned. in this con-
ncction. that tho Canadian grain
grower gets the benefit of a lower
freight rate schedule.
CanadaS postwar wheat control
board of 1919 was 50 beneficial ia
grain growers that they tried to per-
Suadc II. but sooli realized that they
themselves would have to organize
any centralized control over their
crops. What they did, beginning in
1923, has been detailed before tho
Senate Agriculture committee by A.
j. McFhail. OF Saskatchewan, prcsi-
dent Of tho Canadian Department of
Wheat Producers. tho central selling
agency for the three provincial pools.
Farmers signed fivc-year contracts
pledging them to deliver every bushcl
Of wheat they grew to the orcaniza.
ton. After SO per cent of the exist
ing acreage was signed lip organiza-