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Book Review, © Copyright 1998, Jim Loy
In 1864, vigilantes hanged 21 men in Montana, then a part of Idaho Territory. These men were suspected of being members of a gang that was terrorizing the gold rush communities. Henry Plummer, sheriff of Bannack, was hanged as the leader of this suspected gang. To this day, Plummer is famous as an outlaw. And people wonder where his treasure is buried. But he, his deputies, and many others were hanged without trial, on the basis of rumors, hearsay testimony and coerced confessions. Although violent crime was common, and outlaws escaped justice, this outlaw gang was never proven to have existed.
This fascinating, and disgusting episode in Montana history is documented by several books. Two very interesting ones are Vigilante Victims - by R.E.Mather & F.E.Boswell and Montana's Righteous Hangmen - by Lew L. Callaway. The second one is pro vigilante, arguing that these men had no choice but to take the law into their hands. I recommend looking at both sides of this.
To order Vigilante Victims, click Amazon.com (goes directly to this book). To order Montana's Righteous Hangmen, click Amazon.com.