Henry Plummer, a sketch of whose previous career will appear in a subsequent part of this narrative, came to Montana Territory from Orofino. He and Reeves had there got into a difficulty with another man, and had settled the matter in the way usual in the trade -that is to say, they shot him.
Plummer -who, it seems, had for a long time contemplated a visit to the States -made at once for the river, intending to go down by boat; but finding that he was too late, he came back to Gold Creek, and there met Jack Cleveland, an old acquaintance, and former partner in crime. They made arrangements to pass the winter together at Sun River Farm. Plummer was to attend to the chores about the house, and Jack Cleveland was to get the wood. The worthy couple, true to their instincts, did not long remain in harmony, but quarreled about a young lady, whom Plummer afterwards married.* Neither would leave, unless the other went also, and at last they both started, in company, for Bannack.
This town originated from the ''Grasshopper Diggings," which were first discovered in the month of July, by John White and a small party of prospectors, on the Grasshopper Creek, a tributary of the Beaver Head. The discoverer, together with Rudolph Dorsett, was murdered by Charley Kelly, in the month of December, 1863, near the Milk Ranche, on the road from Virginia City to Helena. Wash Stapleton and his party came in a short time after, and were soon joined by others, among whom were W. B. Dance, S. T. Hauser, James Morley,** Drury Underwood, F. M. Thomson, N. P. Langford, James Fergus, John Potter, Judge Hoyt and Dr. Hoyt, Chas. St. Clair, David Thompson, Buz Craven,*** Messrs. Buchett, Morelle, Harby, J. M. Castner, Pat Bray and brother, Sturgeon, Col. McLean,**** R. C. Knox, and other well known citizens of Montana. The name, "Bannack," was given to the settlement, from the Bannack Indians, the lords of the soil. It was the first "mining camp" of any importance, discovered on the eastern slope of the Mountains, and as the stories of its wonderful richness went abroad, hundreds of scattered prospectors flocked in, and before the following spring the inhabitants numbered upwards of a thousand.
*Mrs. Plummer left the Territory, and has been lost -certainly an act of decency on the part of historians.
**Morley's Diary is in the Historical Society. It is very interesting ***Afterward sheriff of Madison County.
****Ffirst delegate to Congress, who beat W. F. Sanders.
It is probable that there never was a mining town of the same size that contained more desperadoes and lawless characters than did Bannack, during the winter of 1862-3. While a majority of the citizens were of the sterling stock, which has ever furnished the true American pioneers, there were great numbers of the most desperate class of roughs and road agents, who had been roving through the mountains, exiles from their former haunts in the mining settlements, from which they had fled to avoid the penalties incurred by the commission of many a fearful crime. These men no sooner heard of the rich mines of Bannack, than they at once made for the new settlement, where among strangers, ignorant of their crimes, they would be secure from punishment, at least until their true character should become known.
During their journey to Bannack, Cleveland often said, when a little intoxicated, that Plummer was his meat. On their arrival at their destination, they were, in mountain phrase, ''strapped;" that is, they were without money or means; but Cleveland was not thus to be foiled; the practice of his profession furnishing him with ample funds, at cost of a short ride and a pistol cartridge. In February, 1863, a young man named George Evans, having a considerable sum of money on his person, was hunting stock belonging to William Bates, beyond Buffalo Creek, about eight miles from Bannack, and this man, it is believed, was shot by Cleveland, and robbed, as the murderer -who had no money at the time -was seen riding close to the place, and the next day he had plenty. Evans' partner, Ed Hibbert, got a horse from J. M. Castner, and searched for him in vain, returning impressed with the belief that he had frozen to death. In a short time, a herder named Duke, a partner of Jemmy Spence, was also hunting cattle, when he found Evans' clothes tucked into a badger hole. A body, which, however, was never fully identified, was found naked in the willows, with a shot wound in the right armpit. It seems as if the victim had seen a man about to shoot, and had raised his arm deprecatingly.
Shortly after this, Cleveland came into Goodrich's saloon, and said he was chief; that he knew all the d d scoundrels from the "other side," and would get even on some of them. A difficulty arose between him and Jeff. Perkins, about some money which the latter owed in the lower country. Jeff. assured him that he had settled the debt, and thereupon Jack said, "Well, if it's settled, it's all right;" but he still continued to refer to it, and kept reaching for his pistol. Plummer, who was present, told him that if he did not behave himself, he would take him in hand, for that Jeff.had settled the debt, and he ought to be satisfied. Jeff. went home for his derringers, and while he was absent, Jack Cleveland boastingly declared that he was afraid of none of them. Plummer jumped to his feet instantly, saying, "You d d son of a b h, I am tired of this," and drawing his pistol, he commenced firing at Cleveland.* The first ball lodged in the beam overhead,. where it still remains. The second struck him below the belt, and he fell to his knees, grasping wildly at his pistol, and exclaiming, "Plummer, you won't shoot me when I'm down;" to which Plummer replied, ''No, you d----d sonofab---h; get up," and, as he staggered to his feet, he shot him a little above the heart. The bullet, however, glanced on the rib, and went round his body. The next entered below the eye, and lodged in his head. The last missile went between Moore and another man, who was sitting on the bench. As may be supposed the citizen discovered that business called him outside immediately; and met George Ives, with a pistol in his hand, followed by Reeves, who was similarly accoutred for the summary adjustment of "difficulties."
* January 14th, 1863.
Singularly enough it must appear to the inhabitants of settled communities, that a man was being shaved in the saloon at the time, and neither he nor the operator left off business -custom is everything, and fire-eating is demonstrably an acquired habit.
Ives and Reeves each took Plummer by the arm, and walked down the street, asking as they went along: "Will the d----d strangling sons of b---s hang you now?"
Hank Crawford was, at this time, boarding with L. W. Davenport, of Bannack, and was somewhat out of health. His host came into the room, and said. that there was a man shot somewhere up town, in a saloon. Crawford immediately went to where the crowd had gathered, and found that such was the fear of the desperadoes, that no one dared to lift the head of the dying man. Hank said aloud, that it was out of the question to leave a man in such a condition, and asked, "Is there no one that will take him home?" Some answered that they had no room; to which he replied, that he had not, either, but he would find a place for him; and, assisted. by three others, he carried him to his own lodging -sending a messenger for the doctor.
The unfortunate man lived about three hours. Before his decease he sent Crawford to Plummer for his blankets. Plummer asked Crawford what Jack had said about him; Crawford told him "nothing." "It is well for him," said Plummer, "or I would have killed the d d son of a b h in his bed." He repeated his question several times, very earnestly. Crawford then informed. him that, in answer to numerous inquiries by himself and others, about Cleveland's connections, he had said, "Poor Jack has got no friends. He has got it, and I guess he can stand it." Crawford had him decently buried, but he knew, from that time, that Plummer had marked him for destruction, fearing that some of Cleveland's secrets might have transpired, in which case he was aware that he would surely be hung at the first opportunity.
No action was taken about this murder for some time. It required a succession of horrible outrages to stimulate the citizens to their first feeble parody of justice. Shooting, duelling and outrage, were, from an early date, daily occurrences in Bannack; and many was the foul deed done of which no record has been preserved. As an instance of the free and easy state of society at this time may be mentioned a "shooting scrape" between George Carrhart and George Ives, during the winter of '62-3. The two men were talking together in the street, close to Carrhart's cabin. Gradually they seemed to grow angry, and parted, Ives exclaiming aloud, "You d d son of a b h, I'll shoot you," and ran into a grocery for his revolver. Carrhart stepped. into his cabin, and came out first, with his pistol in his hand, which he held by his side, the muzzle pointing downwards. George Ives came out, and turning his back on Carrhart, looked for him in the wrong direction -giving his antagonist a chance of shooting him in the back, if he desired to do so. Carrhart stood still till Ives turned, watching him closely. The instant Ives saw him he swore an oath, and raising his pistol, let drive, but missed him by an inch or so, the bullet striking the wall of the house, close to which he was standing. Carrhart's first shot was a miss-fire, and a second shot from Ives struck the ground. Carrhart's second shot flashed right in Ives' face, but did no damage, though the ball could hardly have missed more than a hair's breadth. Carrhart jumped into the house, and reaching his hand out, fired at his opponent. In the same fashion, his antagonist returned the compliment. This was continued till Ives' revolver was emptied -Carrhart having one shot left. As Ives walked off to make his escape, Carrhart shot him in the back, near the side. The ball went through, and striking the ground in front of him, knocked up the dust ahead of him. Ives was not to be killed by a shot, and wanted to get another revolver, but Carrhart ran off down the street. Ives cursed him for a coward "shooting a man in %e back." They soon made up their quarrels, and Ives went and lived with Carrhart, on his ranches, for the rest of the winter.
Accidents will happen in the best regulated families, and we give a specimen of "casualties" pertaining to life in Bannack during this delightful period. Dr. Biddle, of Minnesota, and his wife, together with Mr. and Mrs. Short, and their hired man, were quietly sitting round their camp fire on Grasshopper Creek, when J. M. Castner, thinking that a lady in the peculiar situation of Mrs. Biddle would need the shelter of a house, went over to the camp, and sitting down, made his offer of assistance, which was politely acknowledged, but declined by the lady, on the ground that their wagon was very comfortably fitted up. Scarcely were the words uttered, when crack! went a revolver, from the door of a saloon, and the ball went so close to Castner's ear, that it stung for two or three days. It is stated that he shifted the position of his head with amazing rapidity. Mrs. Biddle nearly fainted and became much excited, trembling with terror. Castner went over to the house, and saw Cyrus Skinner in the act of laying his revolver on the table, at tbe same time requesting a gentleman who was playing cards to count the balls in it. He at first refused saying he was busy; but, being pressed, said, after making a hasty inspection, "Well, there are only four." Skinner replied, "I nearly frightened the---out of a fellow over there." Castner laid his hand on his shoulder, and said, "My friend, you nearly shot Mrs. Biddle." Skinner declared that he would not have killed a woman "for the world," and swore that he thought it was a camp of Indians, which would, in his view, have made the matter only an agreeable pastime. He asked Castner to drink, but the generous offer was declined. Probably the ball stuck in his throat. The Doctor accepted the invitation. These courtesies were like an invitation from a Captain to a Midshipman, ''No compulsion, only you must."
A little episode may here be introduced, as an illustration of an easy method of settling debts mentioned by Shakespeare. The sentiment is the Earl of Warwick's. The practical enforcement of the doctrine is to be credited, in this instance, to Haze Lyons, of the Rocky Mountains, a self-constituted and energetic Receiver-General of all moneys and valuables not too hot or too heavy far transportation by man or horse, at short notice. The "King Maker" says:
''When the debt grows burdensome, and cannot be discharged A sponge will wipe out all, and costs you nothing.''
The substitute for the "sponge" above alluded to, is usually, in cases like the following, a revolver, which acts effectually, by "rubbing out" either the debt or the creditor, as circumstances may render desirable. Haze Lyons owed a board bill to a citizen of Bannack, who was informed that he had won $300 or $400 by gambling the night before, and accordingly asked him for it. He replied, "You son of a b h, if you ask me for that again, I'll make it unhealthy for you." The creditor generously refrained from further unpleasant inquiries, and the parties met again for the first time, face to face, at the gallows, on which Haze expiated his many crimes.
The next anecdote is suggestive of one, among many ways of incidentally expressing dislike of a man's "style" in business matters. Buck Stinson had gone security for a friend, who levanted; but was pursued and brought back. A mischievous boy had been playing some ridiculous pranks, when his guardian, to whom the debt mentioned was due, spoke to him severely, and ordered him home. Buck at once interfered, telling the guardian that he should not correct the boy. On receiving for answer that it certainly would be done, as it was the duty of the boy's protector to look after him, he drew his revolver, and thrusting it close to the citizen's face, saying "G d d n you, I don't like you very well, anyhow," was about to fire, when the latter seized the barrel and threw it up. A struggle ensued, and finding that he couldn't fire, Stinson wrenched the weapon out of his opponent's hand, and struck him heavily across the muscles of the neck, but failed to knock him down. The bar-keeper interfering, Stinson let go his hold, and swore he would shoot him; but he was quieted down. The gentleman being warned, made his way home at the double-quick, or faster, and put on his revolver and bowie, which he wore for fifteen days. At the end of this time, Plummer persuaded Stinson to apologize, which he did, and thereafter behaved with civility to that particular man.
The wild lawlessness and the reckless disregard for life which distinguished the outlaws, who had by this time concentrated at Bannack, will appear from the account of the first ''Indian trouble." If the facts here stated do not justify the formation of a Vigilance Committee in Montana, then may God help Uncle Sam's nephews when they venture west of the river, in search of new diggings. In March, 1863, Charley Reeves, a prominent "clerk of St. Nicholas," bought a Sheep-eater squaw; but she refused to live with him, alleging that she was ill-treated, and went back to her tribe, who were encamped on the rise of the hill, south of Yankee Flat,* about fifty yards to the rear of the street. Reeves went after her, and sought to force her to come back to him, but on his attempting to use violence, an old chief interfered.
The two grappled. Beeves, with a sudden effort, broke from him, striking him a blow with his pistol, and, in the scuffle, one barrel was harmlessly discharged.
*On the south side of Grasshopper was a considerable flat. It was here that the first town was laid out.
The next evening, Moore and Reeves, in a state of intoxication, entered Goodrich's saloon, laying down two double-barreled shotguns and four revolvers on the counter, considerably to the discomfiture of the barkeeper, who, we believe, would have sold his position very cheap, for cash, at that precise moment, and it is just possible that he might have accepted a good offer "on time." They declared, while drinking, that if the d d cowardly white folks on Yankee Flat were afraid of the Indians, they were not, and that they would soon "set the ball a rolling." Taking their weapons, they went off to the back of the houses, opposite the camp, and levelling their pieces, they fired into the tepee, wounding one Indian. They returned to the saloon and got three drinks more, boasting of what they had done, and accompanied by William Mitchell, of Minnesota, and two others, they went back, determined to complete their murderous work. The three above named then deliberately poured a volley into the tepee, with fatal effect. Mitchell, whose gun was loaded with an ounce ball and a charge of buckshot, killed a Frenchman named Brissette, who had run up to ascertain the cause of the first firing -the ball striking him in the forehead, and the buckshot wounding him in ten different places. The Indian chief, a lame Indian boy, and a papoose, were also killed; but the number of the parties who were wounded has never been ascertained. John Burnes escaped with a broken thumb, and a man named Woods was shot in the groin, of which wound he has not yet entirely recovered. This unfortunate pair, like Brissette, had come to see the cause of the shooting, and of the yells of the savages. The murderers being told that they had killed white men, Moore replied, with great sang froid, "The d d sons of b s had no business there."