Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1939-04-15

w. =. ORION or Butte who went
to Alder Gulch with his parents in
1864, and who has lived in Mon
tana ever since, in a recent address
at Butte said he would like to live
IS years more in the state 'to see
the amazing wealth and develop
ment that is ahead. We have only
scratched the surface" he said, in
referring to the riches that have
been made in the mining industry.
AT the opening of his talk, Mr..
orion said that ut has been a wonder
/ tll privilege to have lived in Montana
since 1854" He went to Butte in 1879
and that city has been his home con-
tlnuously since. He is one of the found
erS OF Orton Bros, the pioneer musical
supply house Of the state. He Is
prominent member Of the Society of
Montana Pioneers, which he has served
as president.
Orton turned back the pages Of Mon
tana's most turbulent history and re-
iateo 70 the Kiwanians many incidents
IN connection with the hectic DAYS
when the territory's mining camps
were hotbeds of lawleSsness.
Aloer gulch was discovered In 1858
and was by far the richest and largest
placer mine ever discovered, he said.
When our family arrived there the
gulch was covered with people living
IN cabins, some of which had no doors. !
ana tents and covered wagons" he
continued.
Thronged with People
The gulch was thronged with people /
from one end to the other. Every miner |
was busy working his claim. There /
were many educated and cultured |
people IN Alder gulch at the time. |
However, there was an awful black |
cIoud-the one big trouble in the glilch /
IN those days-the road agents. These !
ROAD agents were the toughest element |
OF cruei numbering men that ever
banded together. There was positively
no protection TO life and property and
IL was certainty that some man would
be waylaid. robbed and killed at least
once IN every "a hours"
OF Henry Plummer, Montana's most
noted road agent, Orton said, among
other things: "He was an educated
man and had a splendid personality
and appearance. At heart, he was a
regular villain and one Of the most
coId-blooded murderers Of the entire
punch. When he was led TO the gallows
1t Bannack, however, he proved to be
he most yellow and the biggest cow
ard Of any Of the road agents who
we're ever hanged"
The close friend Of Plummer was a
nan named George Ives, the speaker
aid. Ives was absolutely cool and fear
ess under any circumstances. Ives was
'lSo hanged for his Staying Of innocent
men but when he went to the gallows
le was as cool as If he were going
o his dinner. The speaker told several
relating to ruthleSsness and
ruelty Of Ives.
Young Man Whipped
"A young man had been whipped for
arceny and to escape further punish
1ent he offered to give information
bout the road agents. Ives heard Of IL
1rginia City and the valley, he delib-
rately fired at him with a double
arreled shotgun. The man wore a
11ckly padded coat and the buckshot
ID not take effect. Ives then coolly
rev his revolver and while talking
him shot him dead. The deed was -
one In broad daylight on a highway
view Of the farms In the neighbor-
GOD. Ives left the man lying there
ad some Of the farmers finally dug
lonely grave, and there without q
anne, without a coffin, and without
tear, the poor victim was buried"
Ives was later tried by q miners
'urt" (the famed vigiIantes not hav-
q been formed until a short time
teri and found guilty. The late VII
n F. Sanders was the prosecuting
toTney and two wagons were brought
with racks on for the lawyers.
urt reporters and jury" The fury
insisted Of "a miners and the trial
aS held In the street Of the town of
svada. Twenty-three Of the turymen
ted guilty and the other refused TO
te. Ives was hanged In less than an
'ur after the verdict was rendered,
e speaker said
Road Agents Cleaned Out
The effect Of the hanging, the spec
cular and tragic trial, proved TO be
handwriting on the wall to the des-
radoes," orion said. This was pos
We notice that sign Of 3-7-77 was the
attn notice TO the road agents" In
month Il road agents were hanged.
Iree years later the community was
actically clear Of every road agent
q Law and order prevailed so that
2ple could live In peace"
orion also told OF his observance