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10: Road to Salt Lake September 1863
Based on the diary of Francis Thompson we can say for sure that Electa left Bannack by stage for Salt Lake City on September 2, 1863, with Henry riding along side until at least the Snake River. We also have a quote from Francis Thompson as to why Electa left.Mrs. Plummer told me that Mr. Plummer was away from home so much attending to his duties as sheriff that she with his consent had concluded to go to her home in Iowa, and he was to meet her there in the fall. The second day after my arrival she took the overland stage for Salt Lake on her way east.But most authors (including Art Pauley) have felt there was more to it than that, without any hard evidence as to what it might be. Since Electa herself never discussed her life with Henry, we have nothing to go on except some guesses, usually written many years later. But we do have good documentation on the meeting at the Eagle Rock (Idaho Falls) ferry crossing of the Snake River between the Plummers heading south and the Edgerton-Sanders party heading north. This meeting was fateful for Henry, and hence for Electa. In exactly 126 days Henry would be dead—strangled by a mob of vigilantes egged on and lead by Wilbur Sanders with the connivance of Sidney Edgerton. We do know that Henry sent money to Electa, but no letter remains to shed light on the details of the separation. Francis Thompson had Electa's address since he claims to have forwarded a considerable sum of money to her after Henry's execution. If you are interested in the later life of Electa, you can visit the Epilogue to Hanging the Sheriff. (Use your browser navigation buttons to return.) |
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