The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-01-26

unusual qualifications In that vocation.
For a number of years he had been a
familiar figure upon the streets Of Vir-
glnia City on horseback calling auc-
tons; in those days it seems they sold
at auction about everything that was
bought and sold in the community, even
stocks of merchandise in the streets.
By reason Of this publicity, Mr.: Farrell
probably was better known to the people
of Virginia City and vicinity than any
other man. He was Of a genial tenn
permanent, cordial in attitude, and a
natural leader. After a hot campaign
Farrell was elected. He said to me
some years ago:
when I defeated Captain Williams,
the big chief Of the Vigilantes, by four
votes, I thought I vas a sure enough
politician" 80
In a narrative prepared by Mrs. WI
liams for delivery before the Pioneer
Society. she also said Captain William
was defeated by four votes; but m 81
spectton OF the records of, ,Madiyon
county shows that Mr.. Farrell lre-
ceived $50 votes to Captain WfEzAnns
$40. This was the last adventups into
politics that Captain Williams Exsayed.
He continued to reside in his .foCse by
the side Of the road" eff
While Williams was a mem er Of the
board of county commissioner the peo-
pie Of Virginia City az Madison
county, anticipating that the city of
Helena would continue it, endeavurs to
secure the capitol Of thu Territory, an
anticipation which was well founded,
conceived the idea Of building Q court
house in Virginia cir sufficient to
car for the Te~rritoris officers, believ-'
ing that the possession Of an adequate
courthouse, which right be used as a
capitol building, would be q strong fac
tor in retaining the capital.
The project was carried out, ground
was broken for the courthouse in the
fall of 1873, and the erection Of the
structure went forward with commend
able rapidity. The county jail was
placed in the basement, and within the
jail enclosure there was q steel cage
which at that time was supposed to be
sufficient to hold the most desperate
prisoner. After the cage was in place
and in working order, Captain Williams
happened to meet his old friend and
boon companion, K. Beidler, deputy U.
S. marshal in Virginia City, x. was
addicted to playing practical jokes, such
pranking being endemic in the early
days of the territory. K. said, cap,
I want to show you the new Jail. It's a
daisy"
The two proceeded to the Jail, and K.
induced the Captain to go into the cage
with him to demonstrate some points
Of excellence in the steel work. AS soon
as the slow moving Williams was in
side, x. slipped out and locked the door.
Now" he said, you old sinner, you
can see how pleasant it is to be shut
up. Stay there a while and see how
those poor devils must have felt when
you were bossing the Vigilantes."
Putting the key in his pocket, K. went
down town, saying to the boys that
he had a new prisoner in the jail.
by and BY" he said, II want you to
60 up and look at him."
The cage had not been furnished,
and there vas no place in the Captains
cell to sit except upon the floor; after
he tired standing up he satin bad
humor. In a half hour OF so, K. collected
some friends common to himself and
Williams, about q dozen in number, and
exhibited his captive with glee. After
considerable "joshing" it was proposed
that if the prisoner would "set EN- up'
at the Pony saloon, he should be re-
leased. Williams agreed, but had to
pay the fine two OF three times before
all were satisfied. Upon his return to
the ranch he told Mrs. Williams of the
occurrence and said:
1.-THE next time x. comes along here
I'm going to get even with him"
He did not have long to wait. K. hac
been ON an expedition in Idaho, hae
made q long ride, and arrived at thu
Williams home about $50 in the eve
ming. Mr.. and Mrs. williams were de.
lighted to see him, and asked him how
far he had ridden. Was he tired
Was he hungry? He said he had rid
den from the Blacktail, he and hi
mule were tired, he was cold, and h
was hungry.
Williams said: well, you lust no h
the house and sit down and III put tn
mule away"