ut in 1837, and, until his departure as a
young man for the West, he was all that might be expected of one brought
up under the chastening influences of a New England home. He received a
good education, and became a polished, affable, and gentlemanly
appearing man. He was about five feet ten, possibly five feet eleven
inches in height, and weighed about one hundred and sixty pounds, being
rather slender in appearance. His face was handsome and his demeanor
always frank and open, although he was quiet and did not often talk
unless accosted. His voice was low and pleasant, and he had no bravado
or swagger about him. His eye was light in color and singularly devoid
of expression. Two features gave him a sinister look--his forehead,
which was low and brutish, and his eye, which was cold and fish-like.
His was a strong, well-keyed nervous organization. He was quick as a cat
when in action, though apparently suave and easy in disposition. He was
a good pistol shot, perhaps the best of all the desperadoes who infested
Idaho and Montana at that time. Not even in his cups did he lose control
of voice and eye and weapon. He was always ready--a cool, quiet,
self-possessed, well-regulated killing machine.

At the date of Plummer's arrival in the mining country, the town of
Lewiston, Idaho, was the emporium of a wide region then embraced under
the name of Idaho Territory; the latter also including Montana at that
time. Where his life had been spent previous to that is not known, but
it is thought that he came over from California. Plummer set up as a
gambler, and this gave him the key to the brotherhood of the bad.
Gamblers usually stick together pretty closely, and institute a sort of
free-masonry of their own; so that Plummer was not long in finding,
among men of his own profession and their associates, a number of others
whom he considered safe to take into his confidence. Every man accepted
by Plummer was a murderer. He would have no weaklings. No one can tell
how many victims his associates had had before they went into his
alliance; but it is sure that novices in man-killing were not desired,
nor any who had not been proved of nerve. Plummer soon had so many men
that he set up a rendezvous at points on all the trails leading out from
Lewiston to such mines as were producing any gold. One robbery followed
another, until the band threw off all restraint and ran the towns as
they liked, paying for what they took when they felt lik