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Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 21, 2006 14:14:18 GMT -6
From a website visitor: I am presently doing research for a book dealing with lynchings in the various mining camps and boom towns of California.
One of the subjects who was hung was William Pitt (may also be Pvt. William White) a deserter from Company "F", Second Cavalry, Ft. Ellis, M. T.
Lt. Doane spoke well of Pvt. White in his report following his expedition into the Yellowstone, 1876. There may be a case of misidentification as Pitt reportedly beat a sleeping man to death.
Of course, if a man wanted to lay low, the Daggett - Death Valley run for the borax company would be perfect.
I have to reconcile the Pitt-White subject who was a cold blooded murder vs. the character who went into Yellowstone on a winter expedition and was personally selected by his commander.
Do you folks have any rosters that show units and individuals in Col. Gibbons column from Fort Ellis?
I thank you in advance. |
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Post by markland on Nov 21, 2006 15:54:11 GMT -6
Diane, a partial list can likely be found in the Ft. Ellis Post Returns, Returns From U. S. Military Posts, 1800-1916, microfilm series M617 roll 347 (08/67-12/76) & roll 348 (01/77-11/86). I say partial as the post return should have listed all the men temporarily at the post at the time of the filing of the post return. Any companies normally stationed at Ellis which accompanied the expedition would have to be dug up via NARA textual records. Unfortunately, Leavenworth does not have the Ft. Ellis returns or I could take a peek tomorrow night to see what is contained within them.
What regiment was Pitt/White in? The 22d Inf.?
Billy
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Post by harpskiddie on Nov 21, 2006 18:23:09 GMT -6
Diane:
There was a Pvt. William H. White in F Company, Second Cavalry, commanded by 2nd Lt. Charles F. Roe, in the 1876 campaign. White was at the Little Horn after the Custer Fight with the Gibbon column, and I believe was the subject of a book by Thomas B. Marquis - "Memoirs Of A White Crow Indian."
1st Lt. G.C. Doane was 2IC of G Company, same regiment, and there was a Thomas White in that company as a private.
There is no way that William H. White was lynched in California, but Thomas could have been, I suppose.
Gordie
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Post by Diane Merkel on Nov 21, 2006 19:43:56 GMT -6
Thank you both. The questioner has found that the information he first gave me was incorrect: I had quoted from a book by Lefty Baltarzar about White being a deserter. I have since tracked him, and and he was never a deserter or never hung. Gordie, you answered his last question: Was White at LBH? Thanks very much. Diane |
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Post by prospector4memory on Nov 21, 2006 22:49:17 GMT -6
Greetings to all:
I was the visitor who enquired about White being a deserter. My apologies to all and especially to Mr. White. But as a retired cop, I knew something wasn't right about the story.
One does not go from 'mentioned in dispatches' to a cold blooded murderer. Now to find out who hated White some much as to lie about him!
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Post by markland on Nov 22, 2006 5:46:40 GMT -6
Greetings to all: I was the visitor who enquired about White being a deserter. My apologies to all and especially to Mr. White. But as a retired cop, I knew something wasn't right about the story. One does not go from 'mentioned in dispatches' to a cold blooded murderer. Now to find out who hated White some much as to lie about him! Welcome aboard P4M (I absolutely despise unnecessary typing since I have to do enough to eradicate my mistakes as it is!) Best of wishes, Billy |
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Post by harpskiddie on Nov 22, 2006 10:51:18 GMT -6
Prospector:
As Billy says: Welcome. I hope you stick around for a while - just don't yell at me.
Gordie
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Post by prospector4memory on Nov 22, 2006 11:16:12 GMT -6
LOL too old to yell at anyone.
Off to the library to inter branch loan White's book: "Custer Cavalry & Crows".
Oh it's at Amazon .... for $124.95 .. used!
Anyone know the name Josiah O. Harris?
He was the teamster who was beat to death, thus getting Mr. Pitts hung.
AllI have on him was that he was a teamster for the borax company on the Daggett-Death Valley run.
Thanks
P4m
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Post by prospector4memory on Nov 25, 2006 3:35:35 GMT -6
This story s getting interesting. Both the murder victim and the hangee were both employed by William T. Coleman's Borax Co. Coleman as you know was one of the leaders in the San Francisco Vigilantes, which stretched many a deserving neck.
Guess who shows up 5 days later to do some preach'n at those rowdy Daggett folks: Ellen White, the founder of the 7thDay Adventist Church. Shortly there after, the Capitol Boarding House, a retreat for fine ladies, burns down ;^( !
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Post by prospector4memory on Feb 1, 2007 18:51:45 GMT -6
Greetings to all,
Anyone find the name of "Frank Dennings' on any rosters?
Reportidly arrived at the LBJ 36 hours after the demise of Custer and his units?
Thanks
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Post by Scout on Feb 1, 2007 21:17:05 GMT -6
Arrived 36 hours after the LBH battle? Prospector old chap, where did you hear the Frank Dennings story? I collect such tales. I would say over 100 men claimed to have shown up at the battlefield right after the battle including Calamity Jane...who found her Uncle Cy and buried him with her own hands.
I am intrested in the Dennings story and would like to hear more.
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