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¤ On Black ¤ Gather 'round friends, an Old West story with you I will share: Skinner's Saloon was built in 1862 by Cyrus Skinner down at Yankee Flats. In 1863 the saloon was moved to it's [sic] present location. Nice people did not wanter into Skinner's. This was where the most dangerous, meanest, and ruthless men in the territory congregated. It was not safe to walk down the streets of Bannack and Virgina City after dark, and even sometimes in the daylight. Shooting and killing was a normal standard here. The demise of Road Agent George Carhart happened in this very building. One evening when George Banfield and miner Dick Sapp were playing poker, Banfield's love of winning got the best of him and he was discovered cheating. Both men emptied pistols at each other inside this saloon, missing every shot. At first the only effect of their impromptu fray seemed the shooting of "Toodles" a small local dog. While lamenting the loss of the community dog, it was discovered that George Carhart was shot in the stomach. He died a short time later in extreme agony. So much shooting and violence occurred daily in this saloon that the barber in the corner wouldn't miss a stroke with a straight edge razor when then bullets starting flying. In 1869, after the Road Agent's reign had ended, this building became a mercantile and remained so for nearly 60 years. While destined for the gallows in Montana Territory in early 1862, Herny Plummer ran into his old cell mates, Cyrus Skinner, Club Foot George Lane and Bill Bunton. They finally ended up in Bannack where Cyrus Skinner built this saloon in the location known as "Yankee Flats". After moving the saloon to this location, Cyrus Skinner was not only the saloon keeper, but a Road Agent who was a fence and a spy for Plummer's gang. This saloon was the "headquarters" of the Road Agents. Skinner left Bannack late in 1863 and went to Hellgate (Missoula). He was sought out by the Vigilantes and hanged Jan. 25, 1864. Though true name or alias is disputed, Amos Henry Plummer is an enigma in the Old West. In 1862, Henry Plummer resided in Nevada City, CA where he served as local baker and city marshal. Five years later, he was charged with second degree murder after shooting the husband of a woman he was involved with. Plummer was sentenced 10 years in San Quentin. It was there that he met Cyrus Skinner, who was doing time for grand larceny. Because of a supposedly "fatal illness", Plummer served only 6 months before returning to California. Plummer was in and out of law enforcement for a couple years following, during which time he nearly killed one man and did kill William Riley at a house of ill repute on Oct. 27, 1861. He was incarcerated, but escaped by literally running out the door. He hid with friends in Carson City and then went to Idaho. Plummer again became a wanted man after killing Patrick Ford. Plummer met up with his old friends and ended up in Bannack, where he was appointed Sheriff. He lived a public life of virtue and generosity, marrying Electa Bryan, and even providing the first traditional Thanksgiving dinner in Bannack in 1863. After 3 months of marriage, Electa left for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where her parents lived. Henry Plummer was the leader of the Road Agents, also known as the "Innocents". Their password to identify each other was "I am innocent". The Road Agents had spies and snitches in many businesses and gold camps of southwest Montana. When they got word of a gold shipment or a stagecoach passenger carrying large sums of money, they promptly relayed the information to gang leaders. Such wealth seldom reached it's [sic] destination. Plummer and his deputies infiltrated every decent group and endeavor in the mining camps--except the Masons. Plummer's gang consisted of about 25 of the meanest roughs in the territory, and reportedly killed 112 prospectors between here and Virgina City during an 8 month period in 1863. They stole millions of dollars worth of gold, which is still believed to be hidden in these Hills..... [sic] The majority of people in the camps were hard working, good people who grew increasingly weary at the growing violence and open disdain for law and order. After the robbery and senseless brutal killing of Dutchman Nicholas Tiebalt, Road Agent George Ives was tried by a miner's court in Nevada City. On Dec 21, 1863, the first Vigilante action was taken when they hanged George Ives by the neck. Organizing quickly, the Vigilantes went to work. In an early scouting party they met Red Yeager, carrying with him correspondence from Road Agent George Brown to the Deer Lodge band. After capture and questioning, Yeager named Plummer as chief of the band. Both Brown and Yeager were hanged from a cottonwood tree along the Ruby River. Things were getting hot for the Road Agents. The Vigilantes knew they were going to run and acted quickly. Late in the evening of Jan 9, 1864, Vigilantes from Alder Gulch arrived in Bannack with news from the Virgina City company and their request for cooperation. The next day, three groups of Vigilantes individually apprehended Henry Plummer and his two deputies, Ned Ray and Buck Stinson. The three companies met at the gallows built by Plummer himself at dusk. While his partners were hanging to die, Plummer begged for his life then stated that he was "too wicked to die". [sic] His last wish was granted, and he was given a "good drop". At the age of 27, Amos Henry Plummer died at the Bannack Gallows on Jan 10, 1864. -Transposed from the story boards off the wall of Skinner's Saloon. paulomernik.com