Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana
By John W. Clampitt in 1891
The American West, a land of vast landscapes and untamed frontiers, often operated beyond the reach of established law. As pioneers pushed westward in the mid-19th century, driven by the promise of gold and opportunity, they encountered a reality where traditional legal structures were slow to take root or simply inadequate to address the immediate challenges of a burgeoning society. This vacuum of authority gave rise to a phenomenon known as vigilantism – the extrajudicial administration of justice by self-appointed citizens. This article, originally penned by John W. Clampitt in 1891, delves into the early days of these movements in California, Idaho, and Montana, examining the circumstances that fostered their emergence and the often-harsh methods they employed.
In the nascent days of the California Gold Rush, the seeds of vigilantism were sown. Clampitt begins his account in November 1850, depicting a small settlement on a San Francisco peninsula. This isolated community, comprised of American hunters and French fishermen, existed in a landscape both geographically and legally remote. Beyond them resided an Irish Captain (though neither Irish nor a captain), a Danish farmer with prized imported cattle. Further inland lay the Cornelia Rancho, a California manor ruled by a native grandee, Senora Cornelia, who claimed dominion over a vast territory. This was a land of stark contrasts: simple settlements, valuable livestock, and a grandee who navigated the rugged terrain in a wagon drawn by oxen and mules.
The initial impetus for vigilante action arose from the pervasive issue of cattle theft. The Irish Captain, entrusted with managing Senora Cornelia’s remaining cattle, organized a community defense pact. However, when Frenchmen captured cattle thieves and handed them over to San Francisco authorities, the thieves were released and retaliated by stealing the Captain’s milk cows. This blatant disregard for justice by the established system fueled a growing sense of frustration and helplessness among the settlers. Convinced that no legal redress was available, the residents of the peninsula convened a second meeting, resolving to form a permanent committee to assume the roles of police and courts-martial. Thus, the first Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana took shape, born out of necessity and a deep-seated desire for security and order. This committee would try suspected criminals and, if found guilty, execute them on the spot.
Clampitt illustrates the swift and often brutal justice meted out by these early vigilantes. Within a week, three men confessing to being Australian convicts were tried, convicted, and hanged. Cattle thieves faced similar retribution, the logic of circumstances often serving as sufficient evidence. The line between justice and injustice blurred as small groups and even individuals took the law into their own hands. One striking example is the discovery of a corpse on the road to San Jose, accompanied by a placard stating, "I shot him because he stole my mule." The author argues that this was not murder but the execution of an unwritten law against cattle thieves, highlighting the perceived legitimacy of such actions in the absence of effective legal recourse.
As the population centers grew, so did the challenges of maintaining order. Thieves and robbers, facing increased pressure in the countryside, gravitated towards larger towns like Sacramento and San Francisco, where popular justice was less swift and sure. However, public opinion generally opposed any infringement upon the authority of civil officials. Sacramento was the first large town to organize a vigilance committee, and its executions drew significant attention from the surrounding areas. The first execution occurred at night on the plaza, illuminated by a large fire and witnessed by a massive crowd. The hangman was a reputable and wealthy citizen, a post of honor that cost him his life two days later when he was shot by desperadoes.
San Francisco, initially hesitant to embrace vigilantism, was ultimately spurred into action by a devastating fire in May 1851. The Alta California and California Herald newspapers advocated for extreme measures, declaring that only hanging would deter the culprits. This sentiment led to the formation of a Committee of Vigilance in early June, comprised of two hundred influential citizens dedicated to maintaining peace, order, and the safety of lives and property. Public notices outlining the committee’s rules and procedures were posted throughout the city. The tolling of the bell at the Monumental Fire Engine house served as the signal for members to assemble, fully armed. The ranks of the Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana swelled as thousands secretly joined the organization.
The committee’s first major action involved the capture and execution of John Jenkins, alias Simpkins, who had robbed a shipping office. Despite the Chief of Police demanding custody of the prisoner, the committee refused, and after deliberation, Jenkins was hanged in Portsmouth Square. A coroner’s jury returned a verdict implicating specific members of the committee, prompting them to publicly reveal the names of all their members. This bold act directly challenged the authority of the civil government, with Judge Campbell of the Court of Sessions charging the Grand Jury that all involved in the execution were guilty of murder. Governor MacDougal condemned the committee’s actions as the "despotic control of a self-constituted association" acting in defiance of the law.
The conflict between the vigilantes and the established authorities escalated further when the committee tried Samuel Whittaker and Robert McKenzie for burglary, robbery, and arson. After a judge issued a writ ordering the sheriff to bring the prisoners before the court, the sheriff managed to sneak them out of the committee’s custody. However, the committee swiftly retaliated, storming the jail, recapturing the prisoners, and hanging them from the windows of their headquarters in front of a cheering crowd of 15,000 people. This act of defiance solidified the committee’s authority and demonstrated their willingness to challenge the legal system directly.
Clampitt also recounts the tragic case of a Spanish woman named Dolores, a Monte dealer in Downieville. Driven by a sudden, unexplained rage, she murdered a young Kentuckian miner who had stumbled into her tent. The miners, overcome with grief and anger, immediately seized Dolores and, after a hasty trial by the town’s Vigilance Committee, hanged her from the Yuba River Bridge. This case highlights the swift and often merciless justice dispensed by the vigilantes, even in cases where the circumstances surrounding the crime were unclear. This account offers an insight into the Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana, showcasing the complexity of their motives and actions.
Moving north, Clampitt shifts his focus to the emerging territories of Idaho and Montana, where the lure of gold once again drew prospectors and outlaws alike. The discovery of gold in the Columbia River watershed sparked a massive migration, leading to the establishment of mining camps and the inevitable influx of criminals. The lack of established law enforcement in these remote areas created an environment ripe for lawlessness. The Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana would find their northern counterparts.
In December 1862, a fierce storm trapped a group of miners, including the writer Joaquin Miller, as they attempted to travel through the mountains with a large amount of gold dust. They were being followed by a notorious band of robbers led by Dave English and Nelson Scott. As the storm intensified, the miners and robbers found themselves in a desperate situation, facing freezing temperatures and the threat of being lost in the blizzard. English, a powerful and imposing figure, took command, guiding the group through the storm and ultimately saving their lives by ordering them to kill their horses and huddle together for warmth. Despite his criminal nature, English displayed remarkable courage and leadership in the face of adversity.
Months later, English, Scott, and another member of their gang were arrested for highway robbery. A Vigilance Committee was formed by members of the Idaho Express Company, who condemned the robbers to death. English, displaying the same courage he had shown during the storm, demanded to be hanged first, allowing Scott time to pray. The vigilantes, impressed by his bravery, hesitated but ultimately carried out the executions.
Clampitt then turns his attention to Montana, describing its transformation from a wild and lawless territory to a thriving state. The discovery of gold at Alder Gulch attracted a massive influx of people, including a large number of criminals. These outlaws quickly organized themselves into a secret society, terrorizing the region with robberies and murders. The Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana were formed to combat the violence.
Among the most notorious figures in Montana was Henry Plummer, a charismatic and ruthless outlaw who managed to become sheriff of Beaver County. Plummer used his position to protect his gang and terrorize the honest citizens of the territory. However, his reign of terror was brought to an end by the Vigilantes, who seized him and executed him along with two of his deputies.
The Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana took on the roles of law enforcement, judges, and executioners. While their methods were often harsh and extrajudicial, they were seen as necessary to restore order and protect the lives and property of the honest citizens. Clampitt emphasizes that the vigilantes were careful to ensure that they only executed those who were proven guilty of serious crimes.
The story of William Hunter’s capture further illustrates the dedication and determination of the vigilantes. Hunter, a member of Plummer’s gang, managed to evade capture after the execution of other gang members. Four vigilantes volunteered to pursue him, braving treacherous conditions and extreme weather to bring him to justice. After a grueling journey, they captured Hunter and, after a brief trial, executed him.
Clampitt’s account of the vigilantes in California, Idaho, and Montana provides a fascinating glimpse into a turbulent period in American history. While their actions were often controversial and morally ambiguous, they were driven by a genuine desire to create order and security in the absence of effective legal institutions. The Vigilantes of California, Idaho, & Montana ultimately played a significant role in shaping the social and political landscape of the American West.