107 pp. plus unused leaves at back. Handwritten in brown ink on lined paper. 18.5x15 cm (7¼x5¾”), quarter leather and marbled boards, with "Journal J.R. Hodge, Roosevelt, M.T." written in ink vertically on the leather over front cover.
Rare and highly significant original diary from the latter gold rush days in Montana, with gripping accounts of desperados, thievery and vigilante action, as well as the day-to-day operations of the mine, socializing in nearby Helena, and a trial in which the writer and his father were brought up on charges for murder when they killed a man in defense of their home and mine. J. Russell Hodge, a young man in his 20’s, came to Montana from his home in Boston with his father, to manage a gold mining operation somewhere near Virginia City. The mining camp was named “Roosevelt,” presumably after a gentleman of that name who lived in Boston or New York and was a principal in the ownership of the mine. His nearly daily entries during the first month or so give good detail on the actual operation of the mine and mill, as well as social activities. At the end of January, 1867, however, the entries are interrupted for over a month, for on Wednesday, January 30th, “In the morning about 8 o’clock father and I went out to protect our wood and were both shot by a desperado, father in the breast and I through the wrist. After we were shot we both returned the fire giving two mortal wounds… The news spread fast – our house was soon crowded with men… A surgeon soon arrived and after dressing father’s wound attended to me… while under the influence of chloroform Drs. Glick and Maupin took off my hand… In about a week we heard accounts of the bitter feeling existing against us in town. A guard was set up in order to pacify the public. Some was at work endeavoring to induce the Vigilantes to settle the affair… The sheriff thought there was danger. We had all our guns and revolvers put in order for use, and spoke to two of our men asking them to be in readiness…”
About four weeks later, he notes, they were “somewhat interested in the movements of the Grand Jury who convene next Monday and will investigate our case to see whether an indictment shall be brought against us. We hardly think this will happen but even if it should we have no fears as to the result of the trial…” On March 2, 1867, Hodge “had a visit from Messrs. [Nathaniel Pitt] Langford, Saunders, Fisk, and Judge Hosmer... Examined some of our men to seen what they could swear to in regards to the shooting affray. “ On March 13: “Last Friday (Mch 8) we heard that we were both indicted for murder in the first degree, and would be tried next June. It is a terrible thing for us and if we were not innocent of the charge I can hardly tell the effect it would have on us.. We are somewhat fearful that false testimony may have an effect at the trial… Our lawyer and friends in town think we have no reason to be discouraged by this indictment. ‘It will satisfy those who are clamourous for your blood' writes Mr. Tutt. And we shall be more likely to get off wholly free than if the indictment had been for a smaller offence, and false testimony then might convict us…” Daily entries continue, with a few gaps, often with musings and details of the coming trial, also his semi-incarceration under guard, and his father’s more real incarceration, partly for his own safety: “…The authorities are desirous of being as lenient as possible and it is rather for father’s safety that he is taken down. The Vigilantes are getting excited and there is no telling what they may do. We think after he has been confined a few days his health will begin to suffer and the judge will release him on bail…” On April 22, he writes of mining and business activities, “Commenced retorting the first thing. We found several inches of snow on the ground in the morning, and it snowed hard a good part of the day. Finished two retorts in the morning and got the gold ready for packing. This last run proved to be the best we every made. Reckoning at $16 per oz. it was $3423.60. Felt greatly elated at it…’ On May 6, 1867, after a gap in writing, he relates that “we are getting reports of Indians every day and a number of men are leaving Helena to fight them. To-day three of our men have stopped work to go to the Gallatin Valley. Two more have quit from other causes so that we are rather shorthanded at present. On the 4th of this month Whitlatch's men all struck for higher wages which were refused so they all stopped work…” The months pass, and in December, the trial begins, “Saturday morning there was a great crowd in court including a number of ladies, and the prosecution was opened by John Shober district attorney… Then Col. May followed with a drunken ranting consisting chiefly in defending himself against some remarks made by Col. Sanders. He closed a little before 8 p.m. and then the Judge gave his charge to the jury- a charge which was pronounced by those versed in law, to be a very fine one…” The next day, “The sheriff came in and said the jury had decided. We immediately went to the court room, and in a few minutes the verdict ‘not guilty’ set us all in a happy confusion…” Other details of the trial are given, of mining activities, the weather, social outings, and much more. A truly remarkable diary. Provenance: This diary was obtained in 1952 by John H. Bolton, likely acquired from Robert Hitchman. It has descended in the Bolton family until this offering.