Page:Oregon, her history, her great men, her literature.djvu/181



zens of the mining camp chose three judges, who in turn selected a jury of twelve men, a sheriff, and two attorneys — one for each side of the case. After three days' trial the jury returned a verdict of "Murder in the first degree.** Execution was deferred three days more in order that opportunity might be given to correct errors, if any. At the expiration of the three days the condemned man paid the death penalty by hanging. Other mining camps and communities adopted a similar method of dealing with criminals.

Vigilance Committee At this time in Walla Walla, a Law and Order League was organized and there was an organization known as the U. F. F. U s that paraded the streets of Walla Walla and did other etmous things, but whose purpose remains a mystery to this day. Also a Vigilance Committee became active throughout the country on both sides of the border line between Oregon an||d Washington. Among the many mute evidences of their work is an aged cottonwood tree and a time worn grave within the city limits of Walla Walla. From r limb of this tree there was hanged in 1865 a negro known as "Slim Jim" for the alleged offense of aiding pris* oners to escape from jail. News that the rougher element had threatened the authorities, at Lewiston, while endeavoring to bring to trial the murderers of a man named Lloyd Magruder, lent greater activity to the Vigilance Committee in its operations throughout the Walla Walla and Eastern Oregon country; so that Death began to stare crime in the face, and wrong-doing decreased accordingly. Fre- HANGMAN'S TREE IN WALLA WAIiLA

Dotted Udu indtefttt limb

used by vigilaitt«t» but whieh has dlBappetnd. Sketdied 1918. 1