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The history of vigilante justice and the Montana Vigilantes began in 1863 in what was at the time a remote part of eastern Idaho Territory. Vigilante activities continued, although somewhat sporadically, through the Montana Territorial period until the territory became the state of Montana on November 8, 1889.
In 1863, John Bozeman and John Jacobs scouted the Bozeman Trail, which was a direct route to the Montana gold fields through the Powder River Country. At the time the region was controlled by the Sioux , Cheyenne and Arapaho , who stepped up their raids in response to the stream of settlers along the trail.
Stuart's Stranglers tracked down livestock thieves in Montana. The men they caught were either shot in a gun fight or lynched. Many of the bodies they hung were found with placards on their person that usually read "Horse Thief" or "Cattle Thief." They were known for being extremely deadly and efficient. [2]
The members of the gang were believed to use secret code words for identification, as well as a secret knot in their ties. Many residents soon became frustrated by the rate of robberies and murders. In late 1863 they formed a committee of vigilantes (the Montana Vigilantes) to combat the rash of murders and robberies. [2]
Granville Stuart (August 27, 1834 – October 2, 1918) was an American pioneer, gold prospector, businessman, civic leader, vigilante, author, cattleman and diplomat who played a prominent role in the early history of Montana Territory and the state of Montana. [2]
December 23, 1863 – The Vigilance Committee of Alder Gulch is established in Virginia City, Montana [25] January 1864 – The Vigilance Committee of Virginia City, Montana tries and hangs Cyrus Skinner, Aleck Carter and Johnny Cooper in Hell Gate [14] January 10, 1864 – Henry Plummer, the sheriff of Bannack, Montana, is hanged with two ...
Montana became the next mad rush to get rich quick, when gold was discovered on July 28, 1862 on Grasshopper Creek. Bannack was founded in 1862 and named after a local Native American tribe.
He was a young lawyer when he moved to Montana (Bannack [6]) in 1863. He was there before courts were organized and, being one of the first permanent settlers, took a prominent part extralegal activities in the territory. He was a founder of the infamous Montana Vigilantes, using his position as a lawyer to cover for the gang's summary murders. [7]