The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-01-05

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cember, A. D., 1862.
It is my belief that. this extraordin-
airy document was written by John, S
Lott, and my information is that he
said he wrote it; if he said so, he did
The penmanship is very like that en-
ployed by him in letters he wrote to me
That it was hurriedly done and under
stress OF emergency is evident enough
Although Lott wrote it, he did not sign
it; there is a vacant space for a sigma
ture which wa not made at the head
of the column-the customary GS) fol-
lowing a signature in a document OF
Importance stands alone. Immediately
below is James Williams QS). Next in
order are the signatures of % others
Seven of the signers at least we're on
the Ives expedition: James Williams
J. S. Daddow, Chas. Brown, E. Morse,
Thos. Baume, VIM. Clark, and w. Pal
mer. Lott did not go upon either ex-
petition. His presence was needed
more in Nevada.
The enrolment of men in Vigilante
units or companies proceeded at once;
there were companies at Summit,
Highland, Virginia City, five at Nevada
always the staunchest Vigilante
stronghold-at Adobetown, at Junction.
Within a week probably $500 men were
enrolled as V~igilantes. Within this
period the machinery for operation con
tanned in Regulations and Bye Laws"
was adopted. Differing from the Ne
vada document, this one was written
by an expert penman and it shows carr
and thought in its preparation (But
for binding force, pledged fidelity and
solemn determination, I, in imitation
of Mark Twain, will back the illiterate
Nevada compact against anything in
the booksD
This important document so far as
I know has not been copied in any his
tory, having appeared in print first in
Hoffman Birney's "Vigilantes", publish
ed in 1929. Here it is:
Regulations and Bye Laws
'"This committee shall consist of a
President or Chief, an Executive officer,
Secretary, Treasurer, Executive COM
mittee Captain and Lieutenants of
Companies, and such gentlemen of
known worth and integrity, as the
Captains, Lieutenants and other Of
ficers enumerated above may deem
worthy of being made members.
1.-The President shall be the supreme
ruler of the committee, shall reside in
Virginia City and shall have power to
appoint Captains to raise companies
wherever and whenever he deems the
interest of the Committee require the
anne to call together the Executive
Committee whenever the same shall be
convened to order the arrest Of any
suspicious or guilty person, to preside
at all meetings whenever present, and
to have such other powers as would
naturally devolve upon n occupying
his position.
"A majority of votes of the Executive
committee shall constitute an election
for President, and he shall hold the
office until his successor is appointed
and accepts the position.
1.-The Executive officer shall have the
government and control of all Captains,
Lieutenants, and companies, shall see
that all orders Of the chief and Execu-
tive comittee are duly executed, shall
have the selection of all persons sent
out upon any expeditions by the Elk
ecutive committee and choose a leader
for the same and in cas- OF the death
or absence of the chief shall assume
the duties of the office of President,
until a new President is chosen.
1.-The Secretary shall keep a correct
record of all things proper to be writ
ten, the names of the chief, Executive
officer, Secretary, Treasurer, Executive
comittee, and the names of Captains
and Lieutenants Of Companies.
1.-The Treasurer shall receive al.
belonging to the committee,
keep a true account of the same and
pay them out again upon orders of the
committee attested by the
Secretary.
1.-THE Executive Committee shall con-
sist Of II members, to-wit: The Presi-
dent, Executive officer. Treasurer, Sec
group; but there were men enough.
be selected from Virginia City. three
from Nevada, one from Junction, one.
from Highland, nj from Pine Grove,
two from Summit, and from; Bivins
Gulch, any eight of whom shall con-
stitute q quorum. It shall be the duty
Of the Executive committee to legislate