Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-08-17

the Mk%&& toward A0EX2fuS FAKlc0
new called Iaurfn). It was a night
in bate NsvesHher, 1853, and the
travellers were thinking ahead to
the stretch OF Alder Gulch between
L.Orraim's and Virginia City, mar
row, Eoaely canyon, Isolated by
many miles fren the nearest habl-
tation. That canyon was an ideal
spot for vk0zcmce.
And murder was In the making this
night. The occupants Of the coach were
aware of tt. Driver Tom Caldwell
pushed his team along as rapidly as
darkness and the rough trail would
permit.
Buck Stinson sat ON the box with
Caldwell Ned Ray sat on the front
seat, facing the rear.
Leroy Southmayd and a lad of 10
years sat with shotguns across their
knees. Their eyes watched every move
of StinSon and Ray. Fleeting glances
stabbed at the darkness ahead Of the
coach
Southmayd had some days before
gone from Virginia City 10 Bannack on
business Between Beaverhead Rock and
Bannack the coach was held up and
the passengers robbed. Despite their
hoods and other DISCUSSES, Southmayd
and other victims had recognized the
three bandits, men suspected for some
time of being members OF the road
had held the Montana mining camps
In a thra1ldom Of terror.
When Southmayd jumped from the
box at Bannack he was approached by
Henry Plummer, whose attitude was
one of solicitious friendship.
''Was the coach robbed today?"
PIlunmer asked
aTt was" replied Southmayd, grasp
ing Plummer's arm and walking aside
cOnfidentiaIly as If TO tell him all
about It,
Piummer, soon to be unmasked as
the leader of the road agents, Sus-
pdcion already strong, was sheriff OF
the mining camps.
BisseH Warns Southmayd
just as the two walked away DR.. Bis
sell. Judge of the Bannack miners
court, called Southmayd aside.
BE careful, Leroyi Be careful what
you say to that mani"
Southmayd nodded underStandlngly
and returned to Plummer.
$50 YOU were robbed" said Plum
mer. I'm not surprised And think |
can tell you who were the robbers;
'FWho were they?" asked Southmayd, |
with eagerness in his voice.
George Ives was one OF them.
"Yesl" exclaimed Southmayd. And |
the others were Whiskey Bill Graves
and Bob Zachary. And I'll live to see
them hung before three weeksl"
Soltfmayd did not realize how close
10 being true was his prediction that
retribution would overtake the road
agents In three weeks. Less than
month later Ives was hanged for the
murder of the young Dutch boy, The
bait Immediate organization OF the
Vigilantes led to the determination OF
the rest of the band, including Sheriff
Plummer, very soon afterward.
Southmayd did not realize, OF course,
that Plummer's accusation OF Ives was
to draw him out and learn what ne
knew. DR.. Bissell overheard the con-
versation, and warned Southmayd that
now his life would not be worth q
plugged nickel. George CriSman, stand
ing near, added:
They'll kin you, sureP
Plummer Immediately left Bannack
to confer, it was certain, with mem
bers of the road agent band.
Southmayd spent several days trans
acting his business, and arranged 70
return to Virginia City. Buck Stinson
and Ned Ray learned from the express
agent of his arrangements. and de-
clared they would accompany MN.
Ignores Warning
For Gods sake, Leroy" urged the
agent, don't gol They'll kill you, Sure!.
1--WE got to 60" declared Southmayd; !
Get me double barreled shotgun and
I'll take my chances"
Southmayd rode on the box with
Driver Tom Caldwell. A boy OF SIX
teen years occupied the rear seat, rae
ing Stinson and Ray.
"If we have any trouble" Southmayd
had warned the boy. you shoot or
I II shoot you'll"
you can be sure III do it, South
mayd I'm not afraid Of them"
The daylight drive was uneventful,
though Southmayd contrived to keep
an eye on Stinson and Ray. At the
crossing of the Sinking Water they
encountered Bob Zachary, Bill Graves
and Alex Carter, whom StinSon hailed {
IN the road agents manner.
Tom" whispered Southmayd, Il
guess they've { Ut usi"
ut looks that way" replied Cald-
well.
They drove on to the Cold Spring t
station, followed by the mounted ruf- !
fans. This was the supper station. BY
bIustery manners the road agents
sought to start fight, but they were t
After supper Southmayd talked
strategy with Caldwell. I
You must take Stinson on the box t
with YOU" he told the driver. ''I,l sit C
behind and watch him, and the boy can r
watch Ray" '
Stinson baked when told Of the ar a
-angement. 4
81 don want to ride up there. a
But you will ride up there!" af- t
'irmed Southmayd, whose shotgun lent a
weight to his instructions. y
Stinson climbed to the box, grum-
bling profanely. v
Zachary Graves and Carter rode on
ahead. Southmayd and the boy kept f
heir guns across their knees and their e
yes on StinSon and Ray. Half mile b
rom the station the mounted toughs o
iropped back and demanded a halt.
southmayd aimed toward Carter Cald- s.
yell covered Stinson and the boy held q
lis gun on Ray. 81
Carter stammered In alarm and fin u
lily managed to say: I'VE only wanted q
Tou to have a drink" II
The bottle passed. The road agents IL
aad not touched it, and Southmayd Il