Montana oil and mining journal. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1931-1953, 1940-11-16

Burton had died. I'D have starved to
death II hadn't run into an Indian
near here" Helm said. He made me
pay him $40 for every meal-and all
l got 70 eat was ants and other bugs
mixed with that bitter weed they cali
mountain tobacco"
Helm professed TO have but 50, which
he offered 70 Powell Ii you'll let me
go with you to the settlements"
Powell gained verification OF Helms
story from the Indian. a Blackfeet
named Mo-Quip He also learned that
Helm possessed, not SO, but 81 400.
Powell gave Helm food and clothing,
took him 10 Salt Lake and then told
him 10 shift for himself. Boone stalked
away, with neither thanks nor farewell
TO his reScuers
Powell believed that Helm had
killed all members Of the party, in
Guiding Burton, and that the gold he
had was obtained through these
murders.
Trouble in Utah
TWO killings were attributed TO Helm
in Utah. Then he bobbed up again in
California murder near Palo Alto
was attributed to him-and then aD-
peared once more in the Columbia
river valley and at Dalles.
He got credit for a dozen holdups
and half as many killings in that area
and finally had TO flee again, follow
ing the slaughter OF one Dutch Fred"
in Florence. Idaho. early In 1862.
He made his way to Canada. where
he was captured the following fan on
the Frazier river He was alone when
caught, although officers had been
trailing two men. Helm was again
ragged. filthy. exhausted and nearly
starved
Where's your partner" he was
asked.
Dead" snapped Boone.
Helms brother. Tex, cleared him Of
the Dutch John" murder rap Tex,
who met violent death himself and
was no saint, was OF much better stuff
than Boone. He proved It by going to
Boone's aid
Tex bribed all witnesses In the case
and the charge was dismissed. Boone
accompanied his brother TO Boise and
for a while engaged in mining. Then
he left TO 60 to Texas but he turned
up instead In the Montana gold camps
and became one Of Henry Plummer's
helpers.
When the vigilantes at last caught
up with him in Virginia City this man
OF countless murders had the gan 70
declare: I am innocent as the babe
unborn. I never killed anyone, nor
robbed or defrauded any man. I am
willing TO swear to 1t on the Bible"
Laughs at Death
He was handed a Bible, and with
utter solemnity repeated his declara-
ton. But this byplay was a waste Of
time. The vigilantes knew too much.
When Boone realized that his number
was up he at least remained honest
with himself. He knew he was q rotter
and he remained one to the end. He
didn't develop a rush OF virtue and
religious devotion completely foreign
10 his nature He seemed to have no
fear. He joked even as preparations
we're being made to hang him. He
shouted boisterous greetings TO &C
luaintances IN the crowd.
There goes one more to hell" he
tracked, as a fellow road agent
iropped to his death. Kick away. old
elbow. my turn comes next" he said
Is Jack Gallagher dangled from the
nd Of a rope.
Shouting in a loud voice. Every
nan for his principles HurTah for
Jeff Davis Let her rip" he fell with
. twang that killed him almost in
family
Callous as Helms conduct was, there
sao oOuiCbdllilR 70 DC bllIlutQ ADOuL
t. When he knew he had to die he
idnt turn chicken, as did Ives when
he jury brought in the death verdict.
;alm as a clam during his trial,
YES broke down when he knew he
lad to swing He begged for delay,
ppealed for time to write his mother
nd sister. whom he neglected entirely
n the will he was given time to write.
instead he bequeathed his belongings
0 his comrades in crime. He died
nth a profession Of innocence on his
ps He blamed Alex Carter, another
DAD agent, for killing the Dutch
IAN"
When the Plummer gang was riding
Ugh 1t was Ives. the staggering, DASH
lg. handsome and boastful desperate
Tho had the appeal. But when the
me came to look death IN the eye,
hen the chips were down and there
as no escape, 1t was Boone Helm,
ne savage, who walked off with the
honors." Perhaps, because he was a
avage.