The Vigilantes of Montana: 1864 Revisited

Statement of Myth 1

The myth of Plummer's experiences as an outlaw chief in the Lewiston area goes like this [From Langford, 1:78-83]:

In the spring of 1861, among the daily arrivals at Lewiston, was a man of gentlemanly bearing and dignified deportment, accompanied by a lady, to all appearance his wife. He took quarters at the best hotel in town. Before the close of the second day after his arrival his character as a gambler was fully understood, and in less than a fortnight his abandonment of his female companion betrayed the illicit connection which had existed between them.... Soon, alas! she became one of the lowest inmates of a frontier brothel.... Every gambler or rough infesting the camp, either voluntarily or by threats was induced to unite in the enterprise; and thus originated the band of desperadoes which, for the succeeding two years by their fearful atrocities, spread such terror through the northern mines. Plummer was their acknowledged leader.... He selected two points of rendezvous as bases for their operations. These were called "shebangs." They were enclosed by mountains, whose rugged fastnesses were available for refuge in case of an attack.

The account concludes with the death of one member of the notorious gang, Cherokee Bob, who was shot in Florence for his part in Plummer's seduction of red-haired Cynthia, the woman brought as his wife to the Luna House on his arrival in Lewiston. So goes the myth that has been passed down as history.

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