Double Hanging, Bed Races, and Victorian Ball, Saturday, 6/21/14 and Sunday, 6/22/14

Saturday, June 21, 2014

Wow—what a day!  The weather was beautiful in the seventies today.  It was our day off and we used it to good advantage as we went to a double hanging, a bed race, and a Victorian ball.   

After a leisurely morning, we went and checked on all the inn mates who were working to remind them when to report to the bed race.  At Nevada City we took time to walk around and visit with some of the historical interpreters as we don’t get to do that when we are working.  We met an artist who spoke to us as if we were living in 1863.  He was sketching a portrait on a small piece of paper and had a few others on display that he had done.  He said that for a pinch of gold he would make a sketch of us to send to some loved ones back home.  He informed us that he could also be hired to paint the signs on buildings and occasionally would paint an advertisement on a rock along the trail.   

At 1:00 p.m. we went to a dance lesson so we would have some idea what to expect at the ball tonight.  The lesson was fun, and we discovered that not too many people had any idea what they were doing so we were right at home. 

As soon as the lesson was over, we raced back to Nevada City as the hanging started at 2:30 p.m.  The vigilante committee has been trying to clean up the territory as it is rife with robbers and killers due to the gold rush.  The tourists formed three posses and followed a leader as we hunted down two of the criminals.  Once the gang members were found they were tied up and questioned as to their wayward activities.  Though they proclaimed their innocence, the vigilantes found them guilty and immediately carried out a double hanging.  Our inn mate, Daniel, was called upon to pull the stool out from under their legs.   

We mentioned earlier about the symbol 3-7-77 that was used by the vigilantes.  That was clarified a little better today.  If that number was painted on your dwelling, you had 3 hours, 7 minutes, and 77 seconds to get out of town or you would be hanged.  (That was to give the benefit of the doubt to anyone the vigilantes thought might be involved in criminal activities.)  It also meant that if you didn’t leave, you would be buried in a grave that was 3 feet wide, 7 feet long, and 77 inches deep.  Still today, the Montana Highway Patrol cars have the symbol 3-7-77 painted on them.   

Today was “brothel day” in Virginia City and it was sponsored by the Bale of Hay saloon.  The two women owners of the saloon were dressed as women of the evening and this morning they brought in a guest speaker who gave a lecture about prostitution in early gold mining towns.  They often sponsor such quirky events, and the finale of today’s event was a bed race.   The inn mates formed a team we called “The Bonanza Inn Mates,” and we all wore striped jailbird shirts that we purchased online.  They were actually made by prisoners in the Montana prison system.   

There were six teams in all to compete in the races, and the Sheriff’s department was there to block off all traffic in the street.   We competed in the first heat against the Ukrainian team, and we won that heat because the Ukrainian’s bed fell apart.  The rules state there are no do overs, so the bed was put back together and the next two teams raced.  When the bed fell apart the second time, the sponsors decided to time each team and award the prize to the team with the fastest time.  Our team of five consisted of Cindy in the bed being pushed by Daniel, Connor, Jaimi and Andrew. (Andrew does not live in the Bonanza Inn, but he is a co-worker and was an honorary inn mate because the others could not get off work for the race.)  Sadly, we did not win as we were three seconds behind the winning team, but we did finish with a bang.  Our sign fell out the bottom of the bed and tripped up Daniel who fell in the street.  Then Connor followed suit and fell in the street from exhaustion.    The winners were the Virginia City Players.  They are all skinny actors, and they had a skinny girl laid up in the bed dressed as a strumpet.   

We may not have won the race, but we were a hit and several reporters were there to cover all of today’s events.  The reporter from the Billings Gazette (the largest paper in the state) said our picture and names will be in the paper next Sunday and that the article will also be in the online version.  Cindy also spoke to a reporter from an unknown publication and the National Geographic Traveler Magazine. 

After the race we rushed home to get ready for the Victorian ball.  Our period clothes were provided by Janet, the ball organizer.  All proceeds from the ball go towards restoring/preserving the buildings in Virginia City.  There were about 100 people in attendance, and at 6:30 the orchestra started playing outside and we all lined up and promenaded two by two through town.  We strolled down the boardwalk on one side of the street and then up the other side.  The tourists in town ooohed and aaahed.  Some of the ladies’ dresses were really beautiful and elaborate.   

Upon entering the ballroom (a/k/a the community center) the dance master proceeded to instruct everyone on the steps of whatever dance he decided to call.  It seemed very similar to square dancing.  We did quadrilles, English country dances, and several reels including the Virginia reel.  There were a few waltzes during the evening, but we are not good dancers and mostly stumbled around for those.  There is a gallery going all around the second floor of the community center and several spectators gathered to watch the proceedings.   Also present were the same reporters who covered the bed races and they took lots of pictures.  Coverage of the ball is to be in some future edition of National Geographic Traveler magazine, but we will have to let you know when we find out the details.   

There was a nine piece orchestra that provided all the music for the ball and they were very talented.  One member was a twelve year old girl who just recently took first place in the national junior fiddler’s competition.  She performed the piece for us that won her that title.  It probably wasn’t so much the fiddling that clinched it for her but the fact that she danced and hula-hooped during the whole performance.  She was quite impressive. 

We left the ball at 11:15 p.m. and walked the short two block distance home to the Bonanza Inn.  It was a great day!

Sunday, June 22, 2014 

The weather turned foul again today with cold, rain, and hail, and poor Chuck had to work outside at the gold panning operation.  He had lots of customers, but at least Duel was there to take care of the brunt of the panning instructions and answer questions correctly.   

Cindy worked at the Virginia City depot and had a steady stream of tourists, but there was no excitement for her to report.   We did find out that yesterday was the single biggest revenue day ever for the Montana Heritage Commission and we have been promised a reward for our team efforts.