While getting coffee in a Wisdom MT convienence store  a couple days ago we meant an older guy Who was sitting at a small table. It kind of looked like he spent most of his mornings there. He goes by the name of “Badger Bob “. He’s a lifelong resident of the area and a local historian. He told us all about the gold rushes that happened in the area and life in that part of Montana.  He explained the unique inventions they made to stack hay and travel in during the wintertime. Airplanes with skis and no wings (these were there “snowmobiles) He told us about “Beaverslide” haynmachines where they could stack hay for the winter that would be wind proof. He even told us about the vigilantes who lived in the area because there was no real law enforcement in the early days.   They would write 3 7 77 on a sign by your house.  That meant you had 24 hours to leave or you would  find yourself in a grave that was 3 feet wide 7 feet long and 77 inches deep.   

Yesterday as we rode between Dillon MT and Virginia City MT we we’re in that exact place where those vigilante events occured. Turns out there was a huge gold rush with tens of thousands of miners digging and lots of lawlessness, stealing and murder. A group of citizens got together and cleaned up the towns.   In a short time, 20 people were captured, put on “trial” and hung by the vigilantes. This was in response to over 100 murders and thefts that it happened in the 6 months before by a gang called the “innocents”. Supposedly, the gang was led by the local “sheriff “. It worked, because after that vigilante spree, including the hanging of the “Sherrif”, everything settle down and thr crime stopped. 

It was crazy as I rode up the valley and read the signs where historical markers were placed.   I could see the remnants of the gold mines and the ghost town that was left.  The stores we heard as a kid about the wild west were really true. Shortly after the vigalente actions real law enforcement and a legal system arrived…. Plus the gold ran out and most of the 10,000 people chasing treasure moved away to find gold elsewhere.  If you have a chance spend time in Nevada City and Virginia City MT.  Awesome ghost town, abandoned railroad, and history.  

Personally, I took two lessons. Greed is a terrible thing.  All the gold mining really messed up the beautiful valley.  Huge piles of rocks and gravel are left because they wanted all the gold.  The environment was really trashed and still scared after 140 years.  The second is the terrible cost of sin on humans.  All the crimes were focused on money and power.  Interesting but sad history that demonstrates the terrible cost of greed.  You can read more about these towns and what happened if you search “Virginia City Vigilantes”

Another lesson is more riding related. Try harder NOT to put a big climb (had to cross Ennis Mountain Pass) after you have already ridden 55 miles. It was a tough 3 mile climb!! However the view on the way down was awesome. Our trip from Dillon to Ennis MT was an interesting ride! Day 20 we rode from Ennis to West Yellowstone MT. The gateway to Yellowstone NP