Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1936-12-26
Rivalry Over Girl Turned Plummer's
Closest Henchman Into Feared Enemy

/ This is a sketch of Bannack, the
roaring gold camp in which Mon
Gana was Graded, when it was at
its best in 1862. nc is from the pen
of N. n. LangfOrd, famous writer of
pioneer days. It tells of the duel
between Henry Plummer, miners
sheriff and bandit chieftain, and
his lieutenant, Jack Cleveland.
Cleveland and Piummer, fleeing
from the outraged miners of Idaho,
found refuge on government farm
on Sun river. There both sue
cumbed to the charms of a young
woman. Plummer was accepted by
her and married her, and Cleveland
swOre he would have revenge by
killing his successful rival and cFst-
while friend. They met In a Ban
mack saloon and PIummeF, who was
the gurest shot In the west, killed
him. Langford's narrative follows:
It is charitable to believe that Henry
Plummer came to Bannack intending
to reform, and live an honest life. His
department justified that opinion. His
criminal career was known only to two
or three persons as criminal as himself
If he could have been relieved of the
fear of exposure and of the necessity
of aSsociattng with his old comrades in
crime, it is not improbable that his
better nature would have triumphed
He possessed great executive ability, a
power over men that was remarkable,
q fine person, polished address, and
president knowledge of his feIlows--all
of which were mellowed by the adj
vantages of a good early education.
With all the concerns OF mining camp
experience had made him familiar, and
for some weeks after his arrival IN Ban
mack he was oftener applied to for
counsel and advice than any other
resident. Cool and dispassionate, he
evinced on these occasions q power Of
analysis that seldom failed Of convic-
ton He speedily became a general
favorite. One can better imagine than
describe the mixed nature of those
feelings, which, fired with ambitious
designs and vfrtu0us purposes, beheld
the way OF their 1ulfilIment darkened
by retrospect Of unparalleled atroc-
ity. So true Is 1t that the worst men are
the last TO admit to themselves the
magnitude of their offenses, that even
Plummer, stained with the guilt Of re-
peated murders and seductions, very
monster Of iniquity, believed that his
restoration to the pursuits and honors
of virtuous association could be estab-
lished but for possible exposure by
some of his guilty partners. he knew
their watchfuI eyes we're upon him;
that they were ready to follow him as
leader or crush him as traitor.
Cleveland His Enewy
OF no one was he in greater dread
than his sworn enemy, Cleveland. This
man, who made no secret OF his own
guilty purposes, had frequently uttered
threats against the life Of Plummer,
and never lost an opportunity publicly
TO den0unce him. Their feud was ir-
reconcllab1e. Cleveland had incurred
suspicion as the murderer Of young
man BY the name Of George Evans.
and was regarded generally as a des-
peradO OF the vilegt character. It was
no credit 10 Plumner that he came
in his company to Bannack. But their
previous criminal connection was as
yet unrevealed.
A few days after the disappearance
OF Evans, a number Of citizens were
seated In conversation around the fire
in q saloon kept by MIR. Goodrich.
Among the number were Plummer,
jeff Perkins and Augustus Moore. Sud-
denly the door was violently opened
and Cleveland entered. With an air Of
assumed authority 10 proclaimed him.
self chief adding with an oath that
he knew all the 8eos2udrels from the
"other sidep and Intended 70 get even
with soue OF them X3Se covert threat
which the words rey@@AHa 0l0 not es~
cape the notice CT NHsxuszsk but Cleve~
land mon Ire sHaBa&sg eaaAx1ed Perkins