Northern Montana Cowboys End 1885 with Mass Hangings
In 1885 Northern Montana rustlers faced a cattle and horse theft surge from Canadian to Mexican routes. Vigilantes, led by "Flopping Bill" Cantwell, executed a wave of hangings and shootings from September to November, surpassing Aldergulch’s earlier notoriety. The era’s ferocity reshaped frontier justice and left many details documented by surviving locals.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Mexico
Alder Gulch
Aldergulch
Old Fort Maginnis
Ubet
Butte
Cantwell
The Bloody Rise and Fall of Flopping Bill's Vigilantes
The article recounts the 1885 Northern Montana vigilante actions led by Flopping Bill. It details hangings of rustlers along the Musselshell and Missouri rivers, the execution of Downs near the Musselshell mouth, captures at Long John’s Bottom, and the later disappearance of prisoners after staged confrontations. It notes estimated 20 fatalities and mentions Dixey Burroughs and the Miles City posse, plus Bill's eventual departure and death in Missouri with ties to Quantrill.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bill
Great Falls
Fort Maginnis
Reese Anderson
Musselshell
Downs
Missouri
Jim Downs
Lodge Pole Creek
Long John’s Bottom
Dixey Burroughs
Montana
Burroughs
Long John's Bottom
Miles City
James
Jim
Dixey
Poplar
United States
Maginnis
Nothern
Quantrell
Vigilante justice rocks Northern Montana plains
A two month rampage over horse theft and cattle rustling ends with hangings and shootings by local vigilantes. Prominent men linked to the raid, prisoners seized from U S troops, and a halted official inquiry follow the swift summary punishments. The piece mixes sensational detail with accounts of law and order breakdown.
Also Mentioned on This Page
Plains
Sir Harry Poland
Poole
Harry
Harry Poland
Thornd
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