The final "necktie party" at Helena's hanging tree, April 30, 1870. The guests of honor were Arthur L. Compton and Joseph Wilson, who had earlier that day been adjudged guilty (by a crowd of about 1500 citizens gathered at the courthouse) of the robbery and attempted murder of one George Leonard. Not all who swung from the tree got so formal a hearing.
Hangings would occasionally occur at night, the body being discovered on the tree by the general public in the morning. The corpse usually had a sign hung on it, stating the nature of the person's crime. After 1870, the Helena courts presumably took a more active role in prosecuting criminals.
The consensus among local historians is that the tree was located in the block defined by Davis St. on the west, Hillsdale St. on the north, Blake St. on the east, and Highland St. on the south. A good case has also been made that the tree was located somewhat closer to Davis St. (Dry Gulch)
Hanged from the tree were:
1865: John Keene (murder); Jake Seachriest (robbery); Tommy Cooke (picking pockets); Con Kirby (crime unknown); George Sanders (robbery).
1866: James Daniels (murder); John “Frenchy” Crouchet (robbery).
1870: Arthur L. Compton (robbery and attempted murder); Joseph Wilson (robbery and attempted murder); Ah Chow (murder).
Note: Conflicting hanging dates for several of these persons have been published over the years.
Small souvenir pieces of the tree are in the collection of the Montana Historical Society in Helena.
There is a legendary "hanging tree" located in Clancy, MT, just south of Helena, but there is no evidence that any were ever hanged from it.
Photo courtesy of the Helena/Lewis & Clark County Heritage Tourism Council, from the Les Jorud photography collection.
For more about the Hanging Tree, please take the link in the comments below...
A colorized 1910 view of the Helena Cab Co., which was on the northeast corner of Park and Edwards.
This Moorish Revival livery stable and garage was built in 1907 by Joseph Murray and Jacob Fischer, both notables in the Helena livery business.
It was an up-to-date facility, advertising a horsey-odor-free experience for customers, along with other modern conveniences such as a separate waiting room for women.
From the start, plans were in place to dedicate part of the facility to the repair and servicing of automobiles, which was ultimately its function over the decades.
This building was last known as the Porter Garage, and was demolished in 1968, at the start of Helena's Urban Renewal projects.
Elements of the Moorish Revival design of the building are certainly reminiscent of the 1921 Helena Civic Center, but I'm unsure if the same architect was involved.
The illustration is from the souvenir booklet of the 26th Annual Encampment of the Montana Grand Army of the Republic ...
A then-and-now view of Neill Avenue, highlighting Eck's Toys and Hobbies in 1974. Eck's was a happy destination for many Helena kids and hobbyists.
Norm and Elaine Eck originally opened the shop at 15 Placer St. in October of 1959. It was moved to the Neill Ave. location, a former garage, in October of 1963. Eck sold the business to Joe and Arlene King in 1974.
Vintage photo courtesy of Janet Eck Bloom.
The earthquake-shattered 1890 Montana National Guard Arsenal, 1029 (now numbered 1025) N. Warren St. The rear of the building was also badly damaged.
Guard equipment continued to be stored in the wrecked Arsenal until it was finally demolished in the spring of 1939. The lot remained vacant until at least 1955.
For more about the Arsenal, please take the link in the comments below...
