Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly volume 11.djvu/186

172 into action while his gun was yet describing a preliminary flourish, the bullet striking the ceiling over his opponent's head. He had not time for another trial, for Williams, using less formality, timed himself with greater economy and his bullet found its way straight to the heart of the desperado.

In the spring of 1865 Mr. Stockman went to Virginia City, Montana, which was then aquiver with excitement over rich gold strikes. There he engaged in hauling freight, his occupation taking him, frequently to Bozeman and Helena, and he came to know well the greater part of the leading men of the country.

Like Florence, this new section was infested with "road agents" and all-around bad men. Their depredations grew in enormity until the peaceful miner, the quiet farmer, the merchant, or any one who' might be suspected of having gold about him, was in danger of being robbed, and much the easiest method of committing the robbery seemed to be that of at once murdering the victim. The number of bodies of men found throughout the country, whose demise was due to the "road agents," reached way beyond a hundred. Henry Plummer, the sheriff whose criminal history has been often told, had not yet reached his undoing. Stockman knew him at Florence. As sheriff his operations were unique. His official position was the key which opened up to him and his gang the secrets of the express companies, the miners and the business men alike.

A man by the name of Brown conducted a store, and by his honesty and close attention to business had attained fair success. He determined to go to San Francisco and buy new goods with which to replenish his stock and for that purpose planned to carry with him fifty pounds of gold. He had decided to leave Virginia City quietly at night, and as to his intentions had told no one. While at his store making preparations to depart in the evening of the night on which he was to leave, Sheriff Plummer entered. Having confidence in the sheriff, he thought it wise to apprise him of his intended trip,