Virginia City, Montana

Paris S. Pfouts, first mayor of Virginia City, first Master of the first Masonic Lodge in Montana, and first leader of the Vigilantes, hung at least 20 road agents.

It was a different day. The territories were wild and territorial law enforcement and the courts had very little influence in remote mining camps.

Formal territorial law reached Alder Gulch in late 1864 with the arrival of Territorial Judge Hezekiah L. Hosmer and vigilante activity ceased in the region.

That said, the whole thing sounds a little suspicious to me. You decide.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montana_Vigilantes
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_PlummerRead more