The vigilantes of Montana; or, Popular justice in the Rocky mountains; being a correct and impartial narrative of the chase, trial, capture, and execution of Henry Plummer's road agent band, together with accounts of the lives and crimes of many of the ro

It was not until the summer of 1864 that the first leading char-
acter in Montana journalism appeared on the stage in that role.
On August 27th of that year, one John Buchanan published the
first number of the first newspaper printed in the Territory. It
was called the Montana Post. Mr. Buchanan's connection with
the Post was very brief. It may be said to have ended with the
first issue, for the second number bore the imprint of D. W. Tilton
& Co.. publishers and proprietors, though the services of its
founder were retained in the editoi'ial department for a few weeks
thereafter. The management of its columns was intrusted to
Prof. Thomas Josiah Dimsdale, whom the reading people of the
state doubtless know more familiarly as the author of "The Vigi-
lantes of Montana."

Professor Dimsdale was an English gentleman of fine scholarly
attainments, having received his preliminary education in the pre-
paratory school of Rugby, made famous by Hughes' well known
novel, '"Tom Brown of Rugby". He was born near Thirlsby in
north of England, 'ancr°^came of a family noted as being among
the leading iron-masters, engineers and contractors of public
works in that part of the country. Thomas J. was not of robust
physique and as he himself expressed it was the "runt of the
family," so his parents designed him for the Church and he
was sent to Oxford to complete his education for the ministry.
But financial disaster came to the family because of the failure
of a scheme to utilize the sewage of the city of London in the
reclamation of barren lands and he was compelled to give up uni-
versity work in his sophomore year. He then emigrated to Canada,
locating at Millbrook, Ontario, where he experienced many vicis-
situdes of fortune. On the discovery of gold in the Rocky Moun-
tains he joined the throng of adventurers travelling hitherward.

In the winter of 1863-64, being unable to work in the mines,
he sought to make a livelihood in Virginia City by teaching, and
as there were no schools yet established, and people were willing
to pay liberally (enormously it would be called in these days,
$2.00 per week) for tuition, he succeeded fairly well in his voca-
tion.

When the Territory of Montana was created in the spring of
1864. the professor attracted the attention of Governor Sidney
Edgerton, and that official tendered him the office of territorial

superintendent of public instruction, which he accepted. While
filling this position, the Montana Post was established, and
Messrs. Tilton and Dittes, recognizing the ability of the professor,
installed him as editor-in-chief, and he filled both these positions
v,dth satisfaction to all concerned, until a short time before his
death, which occured two years later.