Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1937-01-09

up around the store became known as
"Hellgate."
Hellgate did not long survive for in
1865 Worden and Co. moved their store
four miles east, and on the banks of
the MisSoula river erected a Sawmiu
and flour mill. But in the brief span
of its existence Hellgate attained a
reputation in keeping with its name.
Ten tragedies we're recorded in this
town whose population never exceeded
25 inhabitants in the five years 1t
flouriShed as a trading center for the
vast surrounding country, and as a
nightly stopping place on the much
Travelled Mullan Road. Six hangings,
three homicideS and one suicide supply
a grisly chapter in the history of He'll
gate which even in its most romantic
moments was never oVerburdened with
sweetness and light.
Road Agents Move In
In the fall of 1868 six of Henry Plum
mers road agents galloped into He'll
gate, presumably to winter there. Alder
gulch, flaming with Vigilante fire, was
too hot with the righteous wrath Of
outraged men to hold these six known
murdererS and thieves. Their leader
was Cyrus Skinner. Aleck Carter,
Johnny Cooper, George Shears, Robert
Zachary and Whisky Bill" Graves took
orders from Skinner when it, pleased
them to do so and also when it did
not. Immediately the gang instigated
reign Of terror in the little frontier
town. Never we're men so cordially
hated but silently, as these deSperadoes
staggered about the settlement doing
exactly as they pleased, taking what
ever they wanted and the owner be
blessed. The best saddle horses in the
valley were Communicated as mounts
.I.-r-
expatriates. Heugate people and strang-
erS stopping in the town supplied, with
a curious mixture of fear and cha
grin, the silver dollars that jingled
merrily in the pockets of the racketeers
who had everybody in hailing distance
ION the spot" Only the rashest of men
briefly contemplated refusal, and they
hastily paid off," as a menacing eye
flashed death-warrant CLEAN and
trigger finger gripped a half-drawn
pistol. A creditors timid request for
payment was graciously acknowledged
with scornfu roarS Of laughter and
threat Of death.
The gang passed much of the day
loafing in Worden and Higgins store.
Skinner always sat on the safe which
occupied q conspicuous place on
raised platform. Daily the receipts OF
the profitable mercantile business In
creased and accumulated and by mid
winter 500 ounces Of gold dust repoSed
In questionable security within the safe
which was Cyrus SINNERS throne IN
Hellgate. All Hellgate firmly believed
the gang was making plans to rifle 1t.
But under cover OF darkness on the |
night Of Jan n, 1854, posse OF n !
ViglanteS from Alder gI1lch rode into |
HellgRte after q strenuous 12-dHy trip |
traught with hardship, danger and In !
tense cold The six deSperadoes were |
all rounded up that night, and vigil !
ante justice quickly disposed Of their |
cases In the mood and the mode Of |
Vigtlante days and ways.
George Shears was hanged in q |
Hellgate barn. A rope was tossed over |
q beam and he was told TO climb q /
ladder TO avoid the trouble of erecting |
a gallows, and drop From the top Of /
the ladder he addressed his execution |
erS with grim humor: Gentlemen. I'm |
not used to this business, never having |
been hanged before. Shall I lump off /
or slide OFF," He was advised TO illmp |
"All right; goodby," he coolly replied 1
and leaped into midair
A party OF three pursued Graves Tn i
Fort Owen in the Bitter Root valley 1
and he was hanged In ingenious man
ner outside the fort. A lariat was
noosed about whisky BiIi's" leatherv
neck and the free end tied to the limb
OF tree. One Of the party mounted
a horse. Graves was placed IN the sad
del behind him. "Goodbv. Bill. sold
TINS novel hangmaT, and gpurred his
horse forward. 1he sudden lunge Of