The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-01-12

honesty and fidelity to his trust was
better than that Of Slade. Gilbert well
knew also that SHADES disposition to
60 upon sprees, during which he would
destroy property, would bring him into
serious trouble in Alder Gulch; he
warned Slade that indulgence in such
performances would not be tolerated in
a mining camp; for a time Slade heed
ed the warning. Shortly after he arrived
in Virginia City, Slade was given q con-
tract to transport a large amount Of
goods from a steamer stranded in the
Missouri at the mouth Of Milk river to
Virginia City. With his usual resource
fulness, Slade made the journey over q
region unknown to him, part of The
way over a country which had never
before been traversed by a wagon, load
ed the goods in his wagons and made
the return trip to Virginia City in safe
ty. This netted him a large sum of
money, and he was prosperous for a
time.
That which Slade accomplished in
the short space OF time after he reach
ed Virginia City is remarkable. In adj
dition to the Milk river exploit, he To-
Gated a ranch lear what is now known
rs Harris fishing resort, which he call
ed Ravenswood, and whereon he built q
house and did some fencing. He built
two substantial stone houses, one Of
which was intended as a toll house, and
which was afterwards used for that
purpose in Slade gulch.
But he could not remain away from
the excitement of Virginia City, and
made frequent trips there despite the
protests of his wife. He made many
friends in the city, among whom was
William H. F~airweather, n Of the
leaders of the discovery party, a man
whom everybody liked.
Fairweather, like Slade, was con-
vivially inclined, and the two were wont
to enliven Virginia City with their cele-
brations. AS this went on, Slade re-
verted to his old habit of riding into
the saloons, shooting out the lights,
and generally terrifying the inhabitants
of the community. He did not confine
his activities to Virginia City, but rode
down the gulch, stopping at Central,
Nevada, Adobetown, and Junction, &C.
casionally wrecking q saloon. Some
times he would ride his horse into a
store, but he never attempted to ride
into that kept by the Lott brothers, who
warned him that to do SO would be
highly dangerous to himself.
About the first of March some Of
the s~torekeepers, alarmed by his a v
age outbursts, locked the doors of their
places of business. Slade had in his pos
session the ears Of Jules, his ancient enc
my at Julesburg, which, it was said, he
had cut from the body of Jules after
shooting him to death. At any rate, Slade
had Jules ears, which he had carried
in his pocket for years. These grue-
some objects had the appearance OF
well-tanned leather. It had been the
custom Of Slade after an orgy to visit
those places where he had done dam
age and settle in full; but a. his means
disappeared he wa unable to do so.
Indeed, during his last days, being out
of money, he offered the " as legal
tender, and they were accepted as such,
although Slade never parted with their
possession.
In the first days of March, 1864, Slade
entered upon a protracted spree, during
which he in company with another en-
tered a theatre, where by boisterous
conduct and rough speech they insult
ed not only the actresses but the people
in the audience. After some difficulty
Slade and his companion were elected
from the theatre. During the night
Slade terrorized a portion of the city,
For a day or two his orgy continued,
until finally some n wor out a COM
plant for his arrest for breach Of the
peace.
When the miners sheriff served the
warrant, Slade took it from him, tore II
in pieces, spat upon the remnants and
sought out Alexander Davis, the magi-
strate who had issued it. Taking from
his pocket a small derringer, Slade
placed the muzzle of the derringer up
ON the forehead Of Davis, saying, II
understand you have placed me under
a thousand dollars bail. Well, you are
my bail"
Naturally this caused serious con-
versation among the Vigilantes; this
sort Of thing could not be permitted to
continue; was outlawry Of this sort
to be permitted to exist? Even before
the outburst, which resulted in the at
tempted arrest, q member Of the Vigi.
: laut0R SOafQht ont Slade and said to him