George Lovell, who claimed to have been the Captain of the Miners' Guard at the trial of George Ives, says that Wm. Clark (not the Senator) was God's avenger in beginning to bring the road agents to trial, as De Vault was his friend and he was bound to see that justice was done. Lovell says that Hon. Chas. Bagg opened the first day, but was not much of a lawyer. He took the testimony of Long John for the people the first thing. He further says: "On the following morning there appeared on the scene a young man by the name of Wilbur F. Sanders, who volunteered his services for the prosecution." The counsel for the defendant soon found that they had a man to deal with who understood law. The evening that Sanders arrived in Virginia from Bannack the friends of the murderers immediately sought him out and tried to engage him for the defense, offering him any amount he might suggest. He declined and said he would act for the people. They threatened him bodily harm, and he replied:
"You have not got money enough to buy me, nor guns enough to intimidate me."
Lovell says: "We also found, to the great surprise of many honorable men, that Henry Plummer, who was the Sheriff of Beaverhead County, was also Chief and Captain of this band of robbers."
The news struck consternation to the souls of all. We then saw that we had indeed a work to do. Plummer was well liked. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and possessing education and address sufficient to give him a welcome in the best society. He had been selected by a large majority to that high responsible office.
He was at the time the chief executive officer of what is now the Territory of Montana.
Thus you see it was no idle play for us to determine on his arrest and execution, but there were men found equal to the occasion. Among them was found one to stand prominently by the course of justice, survive or fall. That man was W. F. Sanders, slim and slight in form, but inspired by a courage and determination to do his duty, that the severe storm of one of Montana's most terrible days did not daunt; he mounted his horse and rode seventy miles to again assist in bringing the great and popular chief to justice.
Fourth of July, 1864.
The people of Virginia had decided to celebrate and had raised enough money with which to buy a flag pole. On the morning of the Fourth the pole was ready and the ropes were run through the pulley blocks and ready to be manned. The framer of the pole was there and ready to give the word of command. If I am not mistaken it was Col. Knox, late Probate Judge of Silver Bow County. The grounds were filled with men with threatening looks and dark and scowling appearance. They had assembled there to prevent the pole from going up. The Union men who had assembled seemed to dread the muttered threats of those rebels. It seemed doubtful whether we would succeed or not. There was seen a slight form to spring upon a box and tell the boys to grab the ropes and raise the pole, that the glorious old flag might again proudly wave over us. He said to the men: "There is nothing to fear from these scowling wretches; as for me, I have ceased to fear men who have run fifteen hundred miles to get out of danger!"
He had spoken but a few moments in this strong, energetic manner when crowds rushed to the ropes and everyone seemed willing to take a hand. They were fired by the enthusiasm which was so largely possessed by the speaker. They seemed like men electrified into new life. Those threatening men slowly filed away. There was no further interference with the raising of the flag. That speaker was Wilbur F. Sanders. Without his efforts the flag would not have been raised that day. He on that occasion, as on many others, carried his life in his hand, and braved the element of derision and dissension as he had against the strong organized band of robbers. He was on the side of justice, liberty and truth.