VIGILANTES Of MONTANA Triumph Of Law & Order ~ 1950ed

The Vigilantes
Of Montana
Or Popular Justice In The Rocky Mountains Being A Correct And Impartial Narrative Of The Chase, Capture, Trial And Execution Of Henry Plummer's Road Agent Band, Together With Accounts Of The Lives And Crimes Of Many Of The Robbers And Desperadoes, The Whole Being Interspersed With Sketches Of Life In The Mining Camps Of The "Far West"

by
Thomas J. Dimsdale

.

Published by McKee Printing Company, copyright Butte MT 1950 Edition. Having 269 pages, illustrated with vintage photographs. Bound in illustrated 5.25 by 7.75 inch stiff paper covers, showing minor exterior wear and soiling, otherwise binding still internally strong, contents clean, and overall in good condition..

(text taken from preface...)

The object of the writer in presenting this narrative to the public is twofold. His intention is, in the first place, to furnish a correct history of an organization administering justice without the sanction of constitutional law; and secondly, to prove not only the necessity for their action, but the equity of their proceedings.

Having an intimate acquaintance with parties cognizant of the facts related, and feeling certain of the literal truths of the statements contained in this history, he offers it to the people of the United States, with the belief that its perusal will greatly modify the views of those even who are most prejudiced against the summary retribution of mountain law, and with the conviction that all honest and impartial men will be willing to admit both the wisdom of the course pursued and the salutary effect of the rule of the Vigilantes in the Territory of Montana.

It is also hoped that the history of the celebrated body, the very mention of whose name sounded as a death-knell in the ears of the murderers and road agents, will be edifying and instructive to the general reader. The incidents related are neither trivial in themselves, nor unimportant in their results; and, while rivaling fiction in interest, are unvarnished accounts of transactions, whose fidelity can be vouched by thousands.

As a literary production, the author commits it to the examination of the critical without a sigh. If any of these author-slayers are inclined to be more severe in their judgment than he is himself, he trusts they will receive the reward to which their justice entitles them; and if they should pass it by he cannot but think they will exercise a sound discretion and avoid much useless labor. With all its imperfections, here it is.

THOS. J. DIMSDALE
...