The history of vigilante justice and the Montana Vigilantes began in 1863 in what was at the time a remote part of eastern Idaho Territory. Vigilante activities continued, although somewhat sporadically, through the Montana Territorial period until the territory became the state of Montana on November 8, 1889. Vigilantism arose because territorial law enforcement and the courts had very little power in the remote mining camps during the territorial period.
Bannack, Montana (2005)
1907 Painting by John W. Norton of Henry Plummer's gang holding up and robbing a stagecoach
1870 vigilante execution of Arthur Compton and Joseph Wilson in Helena, Montana]
Lynching of Compton and Wilson 1870
Helena is the capital city of the U.S. state of Montana and the seat of Lewis and Clark County.
Image: Helena Montana 2006
Image: Helena Cathedral 1
Image: Montana State Capitol by T. Elizabeth
Image: Montana Original Governors Mansion