In early 1864 in southwestern Montana a group of law-abiding citizens, responding to the increasing lawlessness plaguing the gold-mining towns in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, formed a vigilante society and hanged 21 accused criminals.<ref> Frederick Allen, ''A Decent Orderly Lynching: The Montana Vigilantes'' (2004)</ref> | In early 1864 in southwestern Montana a group of law-abiding citizens, responding to the increasing lawlessness plaguing the gold-mining towns in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, formed a vigilante society and hanged 21 accused criminals.<ref> Frederick Allen, ''A Decent Orderly Lynching: The Montana Vigilantes'' (2004)</ref> |