Paul Ray
Family researcher Judy Wallman has discovered that the great-great uncle of America's most powerful Congressman was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.
Both Judy and Senator Harry Reid share Remus Reid as a common ancestor.
The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in Montana territory: On the back of the picture obtained by Judy, from southern California, during her probe was this inscription: "Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times.Caught by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889."
So Judy recently e-mailed Reid for information about their great-great uncle. Believe it or not, the Senate leader's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for her genealogy research:
"Remus Reid was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he devoted several years of his life to government service, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency.
In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."
Now that's how it's done, Folks!
Thomas L. Blair is a sociologist and political blogger on the Chronicleworld 'for creative renewal in Black Britain and Afro-Europe'. His work is honoured in the British Library's archive of "social, historic and culturally significant web-based material from the UK domain". He won top prize in the blogging competition on The-Latest.
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