Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1935-10-26

away, carrying the gold to the OLE
Thorpe ranch on the west bank Of tht
Galiatin river where 1t was kept unit
safe to send it east.
/ OF all his thrilling and exciting ex-
! periences, Ted told OF one which he re-
membered most wildly. One summer
night in 1864, Ted was awakened from
sound sleep by the frantic excIama-
/ tons Of a man short distance away
crying you can't do this TO mel For
Gods sake don'tE" These words were
followed by groans and low mutter-
mgs. Trembling, Ted rushed TO his bed
room window. The sight which met bis
eyes left him almost breathless. Not
over so yards away, directly in front
Of his window, he could distinguish by
the dim lights Of lanterns, carried by
number of men, the vague outline
OF a mans body hanging by rope
from the limb Of tree.
Ted later learned that it was an out
law whom the Vigilantees had followed
from Virginia City and captured In an
irrigation ditch on the Phillip Thorpe
ranch. They had held trial for the
man there and finding him guilty of
stealing horses, hanged him from the
tree, standing on one corner of the
George d. Thomas place, which Is still
located about two miles south Of Man
haitian.
Another incident which occurred not
many days later, az the time seeming
serious enough, later proved TO be Of
rather a humorous nature. It was dur
ing one Of the periods when Indians
we're causing more trouble than usual
and all the older men Of the families
we're on the trail Of thieving bands Of
redskins, leaving the homes to the pro-
lection of the younger fellows. One
night at the Thorpe place, sharp re-
port, supposedly that of a rifle, brought
members Of the household suddenly out
bf sound sleep. Ted Immediately
dressed and crawled out through q
window at the rear Of the house to
scout around. After almost an hour Of
searching without finding any signs
of inkruders, Ted returned to the house
and soon they were all lost In slumber.
The next morning the yeast jug cork
was found lying several feet from the
Jug. It had been blown out Of the neck
OF the Jug by the fermentation Of the
Yeast, forming a gas within the con-
tainer.l Thus was uncovered the rea-
son foF the scare during the night.
Whit Ted was still a mere lad, q
schooIfpuse was built at old Hamilton
and a Mrs. Frank Sanburn, very re-
fined, hind lady whom al the chill
dren. lofed and obeyed, was employed
as teacher Ted Hamilton and Marsh
Nelson. who now lives st B0zeman,
were anDng her pupils. Although young
Hamiltoa received q little schooling,
most of bis learning was through self
education. He loved music and at an
early ags had almost mastered the
violin.
AZ yeas passed. each year bringing |
more settlers into the valley, the young |
people held social gatherings and
dances foa entertainment. Ted was us
aaily called upon TO furnish music for
the dances. Nest Of the public dances
were held 1t GaHatln city and Raders-
burg and Hunters Hot Springs, while
other danes were held by Individually
0r social @oups at their homes.
a dance that brought much trouble
and almost disaster 30 the young cow
BOY was he& one fan night at Decker's
niece on tiA East GaIlatin river Ted
was playinR for tlae dance and every
one was having good time when about
3 O'Clock ins the morning, man by
Ire name Of George Warren came into
the hail. lDozng for Ted. After inquir-
lng and learning that Ted was there,
he went dtre4ly to him and said TED
he Indians Re In the valley stealing
HORSES IN thelvicinity Of Sixteen Mile
II sumaekhing B not done by daybreak,
llaew miil haw@every horse we possess.
ned inmediltely left the dance and
added his h0Be. they started at once
&C 3 bard ride taking every short cut
onaalhIe 10 saw time. They rode hard
.lse remainder 4 the night and ct early
lawu were retarded with the sight
Il mm Indian diving band Of horses
selnn@ssA& 70 W@ren end Hamilton.
TTSm mems uAuuks were tired and
aaev knew that cnase would be fruit