P a g e 5 G h o s t T o w n s a n d H i s t o r y o f M o n t a n a N e w s l e t t e r An old miner, while prospecting at the foot of Washington gulch, was surprised to discover that he had struck not gold but coal. He was immediately offered $4 a bushel for it by a blacksmith. Although Blackfoot miners were as a general rule an easy going lot, not given to judging each other too readily, their code of justice demanded quick punishment for anyone proven guilty of two crimes, the first being murder, the second sluice robbing. Sluice robbing came second in importance to murder only and small mercy was shown anyone guilty of such a crime. The first robbery occurred in 1861 when the miners of McDonald and Co. on Carpenters bar, having their suspicions aroused by finding the riffles out of one of their sluice boxes on their return from an evening meal, set a trap for the culprit. The following evening at the usual hour, the water was turned off and the men left the claim apparently to partake of their evening meal, carrying their lights with them so as not to arouse suspicion. They secreted themselves, however, and soon noticed a man stealthily approaching the boxes which he hurriedly examined, until he reached the upper riffle. When he had taken up the riffle, leaving no doubt as to his thieving intentions, McDonald took aim and fired, after which he called out “stand still.” The robber disregarded the warning and fled. That same evening Dr. Glick was aroused from his sleep to dress the gunshot wounds of a man who informed the doctor that if he wished to keep his good health it was advisable for him not to mention the visit. It was thought that the wounded man had been accompanied by friends who waited outside. He was never again seen in Blackfoot territory. The Dodson murder case received widespread publicity and excited the miners to a frenzy. No stone was left unturned until the murderers were caught and had given their lives as forfeit for the one they had so callously taken. The murdered man was a victim of his own sons, who having been just released from prison through the pleading of their father, shot and killed him for the gold dust which they thought he had hidden. To balance their hard work Blackfoot citizens required some form of amusement and it was often originated on the spur of the moment. The miners natural gambling instincts often created much of their fun. Even a dog fight was not passed up, but instead would draw a sizeable crowd with bets ranging from $1 to $300. The California Minstrels found Blackfoot City a promising place and played to good audiences; not because of any particular ability on their part but because Its residents welcomed any outside entertainment. On July 4, 1865, a congenial fellow with the name of Hugh Happy, his patriotism fired by the Fourth of July celebration and several drinks of firewater, was dismayed when he was unable to see a single flag floating anywhere and went around to find the reason for it. PUTS ON PARADE He was informed that the town did not boast a flag. It was noon by the time he ended his pilgrimage at which time he bought material and within an hour's time the Stars and Stripes floated proudly in the breeze. Not content with merely decorating the town, Mr. Happy also secured a spring wagon which he decorated magnificently. He had four horses attached to it and mounted the seat with the
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