"Historical Law & Order Notes..."

1841: First white settlement established, St. Mary's Mission, Bitterroot Valley.

1858: Gold Discovered.

1863: April, Henry Plummer, outlaw gang leader, elected sheriff of all gold camps south-east of Bitterroot Mountains.

1863: June, 29, D.H. Dillingham first lawman killed in line of duty; assassinated by Plummer gang.

1863: December, 102 known killed and over a quarter of million in gold stolen by outlaws. Outraged citizens form Vigilante committee; within five weeks 21 outlaws hung (including Henry Plummer), countless others banished from territory.

1864: May 26, Montana Territory created under the Abraham Lincoln Administration.

1865 U.S. Marshal's office established in Helena.

1866: First U.S. Military Post, Camp Cooke, created on Judith River.

1871: U.S. Territorial Prison opens in Deer Lodge under direction of U.S. Marshal.

1873: Beginning of the Royal Canadien Mounted Police, to "destroy illegal whiskey trade and lawlessness" caused by the "Whoop-Up Trail" running from Fort Benton into the Candadien Northwest Territories.

1876: Sioux Indians defeat Col. George Custer and 7th Cavalry at Little Big Horn River.

1884: Vigilantes ride again, after cattle rustlers.

1885: Montana Department of Livestock instituted.

1889: November 8, Montana becomes 41st state of the United States; 16 original counties organized and 16 sheriffs appointed.

1890's: Harvey Logan, alias Kid Curry, the "Desperado from the Little Rockies," begins outlaw career robbing trains in northern plains.

1901: Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks began.

1921: Ruth Garfield becomes first female sheriff after husband Jesse was shot and killed in line of duty in Golden Valley County.

1935: Montana Highway Patrol established.

1959: Montana Law Enforcement Academy created.

1985: July 14, Montana Law Enforcement Officers Memorial dedicated on site of original Territorial Prison.

1989: May 5, Governor Stan Stephens signs statewide proclaimation establishing May 15 as Montana Peace Officers Memorial Day, and its week as Montana Peace Officers Week.

1989: May 15, first annual Montana Peace Officers Memorial Day ceremonies conducted at Officers Memorial site; new Montana Law Enforcement Museum opens to public.