Swift and Sure The Montana Vigilantes and their method
The Montana Vigilantes, active in the 1860s, hunted outlaws like Henry Plummer's gang with masked secrecy and summary justice. They pinned seven by nine inch white cards on doors announcing banishment within 24 hours, and executed those who ignored the warning after a second, midnight hearing if needed. The group acted as judge jury and executioners, often delivering swift hangings when law and order failed in the gold fields. The system relied on fear and secrecy, with public showdowns to determine fate.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Montana
Henry Plummer
Plummer
J. R. Johnston
Adventure Magazine
Retired Scotland Yard Fingerprint Chief Collins
Collins, superintendent of Scotland Yard’s identification bureau, retires after 30 years in London police. He notes about 260000 identifications have been made from fingerprints with no mistakes. He believes fingerprints will be widely used across generations for criminal and civil records, including births.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Collins
Identification Bureau of
Scotland Yard
London Police Department
Mr. Collins
Nighttime Escape at Strict Boarding School
A Chicago Tribune correspondent recalls two roommates sneaking from their dorm at midnight to sleep in a guest room. Their escapade ends in alarms and screams after they sit on a visiting African missionary, prompting attention from staff and authorities.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Chicago Tribune
Africa
Surprise Amateur Theatrical Prank Turns Teeth Snag
A staff outing at a Surprise Amateur group turned curious when waxed front teeth made a member appear toothless. A man unable to remove the wax asked a companion for help. A quick pull revealed the wearer had the full upper set of false teeth in hand, shocking the party.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Indianapolis News
Constable fears resigning amid shooting gallery concerns
Constable Sam T Slackputter warns mayor of possible quitting as he notes a new shooting gallery in Petunia draws eight women practicing. He says the situation is ominous and may foretell trouble, reflecting public safety anxieties reported by the Kansas City Times.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Sam T. Slackputter
Petunia
Numbers
Kansas City Times
Local Notices and Visits Across Washington Township
Washington Township reports visits among residents including Mrs. M. J. Boyer, Ruth Brown, A. P. Ray, Merle Fisher of Dayton, and families from Indiana Ohio and Rural Valley. Church groups hosted at Mr and Mrs McFarland. Delegates elected for Pomona Grange at Penn Run on September 24.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
M. J. Boyer
Ruth Brown
A. P. Ray
Merle Fisher
Dayton
Indiana
Harry Sink
United ‘Presbyterian Church
Ira Marlin
John Bratdon
Francis Fairman
Charles Hudson
Frank Fisher
Atwood
Various Local Residents Visit, Move, and Births Reported
Latrobe residents Mrs Thomas Kelly and daughter Evelyn guest of Mrs Jay Bowser. Rugh family from Eugene Oregon visit Sutton family. Rugh's first east visit in 45 years. Miss Gertrude Alcorn spoke at ree Methodist church in Indiana. Johnstown visitors include Mrs James Riddell, Mrs Dewey Riddell, Emma Wisher. Pittsburgher John Swanbure visits grandparents Steffey. Blaine Ressler moves from Cramer to Mack cottage. Attended Ebensburg fair. A baby girl born to Mr and Mrs Joseph Moody. Wm Frain family moved to Avonmore. Robert Lewis sells home. planning move to Greensburg. Charles Altimus wed Annie Friedhoff. A son born to Mr and Mrs Chester Fisher. Mrs Annie Miller Thompson moves into former home. Merle Miller family also moving from Georgeville. Mr and Mrs Walter Keskie buy new touring car. Herman Lichtenfels injures arm falling from fence at festival.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Thomas Kelly
Evelyn
Latrobe
Jay Bowser
Samuel Rugh
Eugene
Ore
A. B. Rugh
Blacklick
C. W. Sutton
Rugh
Gertrude Alcorn
Indiana
Ree Methodist Church
James Riddell
Dewey Riddell
Emma Wisher
Johnstown
John Swanbure
Pittsburgh
John Steffey
Blaine Ressler
Cramer
Mack Cottage
A. D. Bowser
Charles Walbeck
Ebensburg
Joseph Moody
Frain
Avonmore
Robert Lewis
Daniel R. Foust
Greensburg
Charles Altimus
Town
Annie Friedhoff
Lilly
Chester Fisher
Annie Miller Thompson
Merle Miller
Georgeville
Walter Keskie
Herman Lichtenfels
Local Social Notes From Rochester Mille Towns
Several residents report visits and travels including Mrs Ord Weaver and Mrs Cam den Bain at Blairsville and Olive Zeigier of Indiana visiting her parents in Gibson. Local families such as Elder, Hurd, Warner, Ray, and Spicher gather for visitors and trips while Glenn Smith recovers from appendicitis in Indiana hospital and Parker farm changes hands.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Ord ‘Weaver
Camden Bain
Blairsville
Olive Zeigier
Indiana
David Gibson
Homer Hurd
Hila, Hurd
Also Mentioned on This Page
Washington Township
Rochester Mille
Ambrose
Glenn Smith
Indiana Hospital
Barney Spicher
Sara Jane
Cleveland
M. T. Hamilton
Wdna
Kathleen
Bird Lightcap
Quay McMillen
Dixonville
L. S. Walls
Blair Uber
Hunice
Betty Jane
Wm. Spider
Cherry Tree Sunny
John Walker
Creekside
A. A. Brady
Parker Farm
Clyde McMillen
New Jensington
New York
New Fall
Clavar
Oys’ Department
Ation
This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!