Written by Eric
We are now past the 1000 mile marker.
Today we followed the part of the route of the Vigilante
Trail, a road linking the gold fields of Alder Gulch near Virginia City and
Grasshopper Creek near Bannack. More than 100 persons were killed in "road
agent" robberies of people who were transporting gold discovered in the
gold fields in the fall of 1863. The Vigilance Committee of Alder Gulch was
organized in December 1863, and in the first six weeks of 1864 at least 20 road
agents of the Plummer gang (named for the Sheriff Henry Plummer of Bannack who
was the leader of the road agents who were known as the "Innocents"),
were captured and hanged.
Gold dredging equipment in Aulder Gulch
Left over gravel fields after looking for gold
Our ride was not as dangerous as in 1863, but was still harrowing
sometimes with no shoulders, much traffic, and occasional 18 wheel trucks.
We stopped for lunch in Sheridan which gave us energy to
finish the ride.
There was lots of activity this weekend in Virginia City
including Brothel Days (with a bed race down the main Street), a Victorian
ball, and a Treaty Days gathering of Shoshone, Bannock, and Sheepeater Native
American people.
In the evening we went to a performance of The Brewery
Follies comedy show, which rounded out our exciting day.
Tomorrow we head to Cameron. Life is great!
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