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'''Henry Plummer''' (1832–1864) served as sherrif of [[Bannack, Montana]] from [[May 24]], 1863 until [[January 10]], 1864, when he was hanged by a lynch mob. Some believe him to have been the head of a gang that was responsible for nearly a hundred deaths; he was hanged along with twenty-two others for their presumed crimes. |
'''Henry Plummer''' (1832–1864) served as sherrif of [[Bannack, Montana]] from [[May 24]], 1863 until [[January 10]], 1864, when he was hanged by a lynch mob. Some believe him to have been the head of a gang that was responsible for nearly a hundred deaths; he was hanged along with twenty-two others for their presumed crimes. |
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He was born William Henry Handy Plumer the last of six children in [[Addison, Maine]] to a family that had settled in Maine in 1764, when it was still a part of the Massachusetts Bay colony (he changed the spelling of his surname after moving West). His father died while Henry was in his teens. In 1852, age 19, he headed west to the gold fields of [[California]]. |
He was born William Henry Handy Plumer the last of six children in [[Addison, Maine]] to a family that had settled in Maine in 1764, when it was still a part of the Massachusetts Bay colony (he changed the spelling of his surname after moving West). His father died while Henry was in his teens. In 1852, age 19, he headed west to the gold fields of [[California]]. His mining venture went well: within two years he owned a mine, a ranch and a bakery in [[Nevada City, California|Nevada City]]. In 1856 he was elected sheriff and city manager and it was proposed that he should run for state representative as a Democrat. However, the party was divided, and without its full support, he lost. |
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Then, on [[September 26]], 1857, Plummer shot and killed John Vedder; he had been having an affair with Vedder's wife. In the resulting trial, Plumer was sentenced to ten years in [[San Quentin]]. However, |
To this point, most accounts of Plummer's life agree. There is also general agreement that he was handsome, well-spoke and intelligen. Then, on [[September 26]], 1857, Plummer shot and killed John Vedder; he had been having an affair with Vedder's wife. In the resulting trial, Plumer was sentenced to ten years in [[San Quentin]]. However, in August, 1859, his many supporters convinced the governor to grant him a pardon based on his excellent character and civic performance; however, the pardon was based on his health; he was suffering from tuberculosis. However, in 1861 Plummer attempted to carry out a citizen's arrest of William Riley, who had escaped from San Quentin; in the attempt, Riley was killed. Plummer turned himself in to the police, who accepted that the killing was justified, but fearing that his prison record would prevent a fair recommended that he leave the area: Plummer headed to [[Washington Territory]] where gold had been discovered. |
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Revision as of 23:31, 25 May 2005
Henry Plummer (1832–1864) served as sherrif of Bannack, Montana from May 24, 1863 until January 10, 1864, when he was hanged by a lynch mob. Some believe him to have been the head of a gang that was responsible for nearly a hundred deaths; he was hanged along with twenty-two others for their presumed crimes.
He was born William Henry Handy Plumer the last of six children in Addison, Maine to a family that had settled in Maine in 1764, when it was still a part of the Massachusetts Bay colony (he changed the spelling of his surname after moving West). His father died while Henry was in his teens. In 1852, age 19, he headed west to the gold fields of California. His mining venture went well: within two years he owned a mine, a ranch and a bakery in Nevada City. In 1856 he was elected sheriff and city manager and it was proposed that he should run for state representative as a Democrat. However, the party was divided, and without its full support, he lost.
To this point, most accounts of Plummer's life agree. There is also general agreement that he was handsome, well-spoke and intelligen. Then, on September 26, 1857, Plummer shot and killed John Vedder; he had been having an affair with Vedder's wife. In the resulting trial, Plumer was sentenced to ten years in San Quentin. However, in August, 1859, his many supporters convinced the governor to grant him a pardon based on his excellent character and civic performance; however, the pardon was based on his health; he was suffering from tuberculosis. However, in 1861 Plummer attempted to carry out a citizen's arrest of William Riley, who had escaped from San Quentin; in the attempt, Riley was killed. Plummer turned himself in to the police, who accepted that the killing was justified, but fearing that his prison record would prevent a fair recommended that he leave the area: Plummer headed to Washington Territory where gold had been discovered.
Editing in progress
The last man hanged may have done nothing more than express an opinion that several of those previously hanged had been innocent.