Mysteries and Legends of Montana : True Stories of the Unsolved and Unexplained

by Lawrence, Edward

• ISBN13: 9780762741526
• ISBN10: 076274152X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-06-01
• Publisher: TwoDot

Summary

From a haunted prison in Red Lodge to persistent rumours of bigfoot appearances, from whispered descriptions of the "tommyknockers" who help miners in trouble to a famous union organizer found lynched from a bridge in Butte, this selection of fourteen stories from Montana's past explores some of the Treasure State's most compelling mysteries and debunks some of its most famous myths.

Author Biography

Ed Lawrence combines a passion for Montana history and recreation with a veteran writer's feel for vivid language. He lives in Bozeman.

Table of Contents

Preface: An Invitation to a Mystery	p. V
What Happened to Meriwether's Boat?	p. 1
A Mummy and the Little People	p. 15
Did Governor Meagher Go Swimming? Or Was He Drowned?	p. 25
Was Frank Little Murdered by a Cop?	p. 37
Is the Mystery of the Easton Murder Solved?	p. 49
Was Sheriff Henry Plummer a Highway Robber?	p. 55
Is There a Connection Between UFOs and Cattle Mutilations?	p. 67
If Bigfoot Exists, He Needs a Shower	p. 83
Who Named the Crazy Mountains?	p. 93
Meet Flessie, the Monster of Flathead Lake	p. 99
There Are Ghosts in the Butte Archives, Aren't There?	p. 107
Epilogue: A Shaggy Dog Story Produces a Mystery	p. 121
Bibliography	p. 127
Index	p. 133
About the author	p. 137
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Considering the number of sightings of Unidentified, or Unidentifiable Flying Objects, by responsible members of the citizenry, it is difficult to discount the possibility that the space above Big Sky country is filled with more than commercial, recreational, or military aircraft. Could these vehicles have been driven by extraterrestrial hotrodders? Or were helicopters on secret missions manned by government agents checking for sick cattle? Or, did members of a Canadian helicopter team experience gear failure? How about, all of the above?
Historians are still arguing about the guilt of Harry Plummer. Was he an honest sheriff who was wrongfully murdered by an out-of-control band of vigilantes or the leader of a gang of bandits? Most folks bet that he was the latter, some say because they don’t want to consider the alternative. The real mystery is the location of all of the loot the "Innocents" stole.

 

Then there’s the mysterious death of the governor in Fort Benton. Did a sick man fall overboard while answering the call of nature or was he the victim of vigilantes. Or did he commit suicide?

 

Paranormal spirits? It becomes increasingly difficult to argue their existence, especially since Ellen Baumler’s house is occupied by an uninvited guest.

 

Beyond those questions is a mystery that involves a sheep dog named Shep, who also lived in Fort Benton.

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Excerpted from Mysteries and Legends of Montana: True Stories of the Unsolved and Unexplained by Ed Lawrence
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.