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The Sidney Herald
Sidney, Richland County, Montana
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In winter 1863-64, Sidney Edgerton transported gold nuggets from Montana's Bannack and Virginia City to Washington, hiding some in overcoats, to persuade Congress to create the Montana Territory in 1864.
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MONTANA GOLD DAZZLED CONGRESSMEN
Gold nuggets from Bannack and Virginia City were used to convince Congressmen of 1864 that a Montana Territory should be created. To get the nuggets to Washington from the far west was a difficult and dangerous mission.
Named to head this undertaking was Sidney Edgerton, chief justice of Idaho and first governor of Montana. Edgerton was assigned the job at a public meeting of citizens of Virginia City and Bannack. He undertook the trip to the nation's capital in the winter of 1863-64.
The Edgerton party travelled by pack horses to Salt Lake City. From Salt Lake City they went by stage and railroad. The severe winter weather may have discouraged highwaymen, for the party reached Washington without incident.
However, members of the party were taking no chances. Some nuggets were carried in valises but others were sewn into the quilted linings of their overcoats. They reasoned that if road agents robbed them, the thieves would think the nuggets in the valises were all they carried and they would be able to get the "quilted" nuggets through to convince Congressmen of the territory's wealth.
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Location
Bannack And Virginia City, Montana; Salt Lake City; Washington
Event Date
Winter Of 1863 64
Story Details
Sidney Edgerton led a party carrying gold nuggets from Bannack and Virginia City to Washington in the winter of 1863-64 to convince Congressmen in 1864 to create a Montana Territory. The group traveled by pack horses to Salt Lake City, then by stage and railroad, hiding some nuggets in overcoat linings to avoid detection by potential robbers.