Idaho's Vigilantes

Plot

The first twelve chapters of this book were taken from The Early History of Idaho, written in 1913 by William J. McConnell, captain of the Payette Vigilantes, who participated in some of the events that he recorded. The last four chapters of this book were taken from articles written by James S. Reynolds, editor of the Idaho Tri-Weekly Stateman, who was a prominent member of the Boise City Vigilantes. Reynolds was a terror of evildoers, for his paper stood for law and order. He dethroned political bosses and accomplished the removal of incompetent federal officials. When Idaho was overrun by gamblers, thieves, and murderers from 1864 to 1868, Reynolds' personal and editorial power did much to drive them from the country. In 1860 when gold was discovered at Canal Gulch, a tributary of Orofino Creek, thousands of people flocked to what later became known as Idaho. The influx brought with it no government. In order to secure the rights, peace, and safety of the miners, each camp elected its own peace officers. From the beginning, the miners were unprepared for the treachery, theft, and murder that took place. Idaho had no penitentiary until 1872, another factor in favor of the outlaws. With criminals from California and Nevada infiltrating the Idaho camps, the minors' courts were unable to handle the atrocious crimes which were being committed. Vigilante committees had to be organized to deal with the lawbreakers who created a reign of terror. The criminals knew the law could not reach them. The only thing they feared was vigilance committees, which finally came to four different Idaho communities.