The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1936-01-10

where DR.. W. L. Steele, later for many
years a physician at Helena, was pre-
siding over a miners court. Dil1ing-
ham was standing close by when Buck
Forbes, all three members of what
later turned out to be Plummer's
organized gang, came up. Practically
without warning Dillingham; was shot
down by this murderous trio.
Stinson, Lyons and Forbes were ar
rested. Forbes: a handsome young fell
low, was acquitted, possibly on account
wards laughed at the "softness" of the
miners who turned him loose. Stinson
and Lyons were found guilty and were
sentenced to be hanged. Then occurred
an exhibition of sympathy for the
cold-blooded m~urderers, which, while
successful in saving their lives on that
occasion, was never permitted to hap
cause a number of women were PRESENT.
and begged the miners to save the
poor young boys lives" the order was
finally made that they be banished.
Grabbing a horse standing nearby the
two desperadoes dashed out Of the
gulch.
x. Beidler was one OF those who dug
later he wa on a trip from Bannack
to Alder Gulch and stopped at Rat
tlesnake. Several desperadoes who had
followed him ACCUSED him of digging
the graves for Stinson and Lyons.
Eyes," he said, land you haven't paid
me for it yet" This raised a laugh and
drinks were ordered. Later they again
and get him mad but about that time
a group of men rode up and saved K.
from a serious situation.
Trial Of Ives
The story of the trial of George
Ives for the murder of Nicholas Tbalt
has often been told but it serves to
emphasize the quick wit of x. Beidler.
This trial lasted three days from Dec.
10 to q, the latter being F%orefathers'
day. The Plummer gang had hired all
the lawyers in Virginia City, four in
number, to defend Ives. Wilbur F. San
ders, a young attorney from Bannack
happened to be sojourning in Virginia
City and he took charge of the prose-
cution. He was assisted by Charles
Bagg, q miner. Nothing that had hap
pened before so aroused the indigna-
ton of the decent citizens of Alder
Gulch as the murder of young Tbalt.
The trial of Ives will ever stand out
as the most important event in Mon
tana's early legal history, for it marked
the establishment of law and order in
a community where no one knew
whether murderers or honest men were
in the majority. Sanders, intrepid,
brave, commanding, dominated the en-
tire situation. After the evidence had
been heard he delivered an appeal for
conviction that will stand for all time
to come IS one of the most powerful
arguments ever offered to a Jury.
The verdict of the miners jury of "a
was guilty. with the exception of one
member, Henry Spivey, who refused to
participate in the finding. After NOV
ing that the verdict be adopted, which
was carried, Sanders moved that George
Ives be forthwith hanged by the neck
until dead. Efforts were made by Ives
friends to secure an adjournment until
morning, but Sanders motion carried.
Ives then made a personal appeal to
Sanders for time, assuring him ION his
honor" that no effort would be made
to escape. x Beidler, from his perch
on a cabin nearby where he sat through
the trial with his trusty shotgun across
his knees shouted in a sarcastic voice:
Sanders, ask him how much time he
gave the Dutchman." That pertinent
and wholly consistent remark saved
a difficult situation for Sanders. Ives
was given enough time to make his
will and write a letter home but it
was noticed that in his will he left
everything he had to his lawyers and
friends and entirely ignored his family.
Vigilantes Organized
Three days after the execution of
Ives the Vigilantes were organized.
Beidler's name did not appear on the
list of those who signed the original
oath for the reason that he had gone
to assist in bringing in a wagon train
that was stuck near the Hole in the
Rock. However, upon his return, he was
informed Of what had taken place and
he Immediately became one of Capt.
Jim Williams able and trusted lieu
tenants. He was active in the pursuit
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