Mr. X

Mr James Beidler, who preferred to be called simply "X" had little formal education and tried his hand at a variety of trades.  He was first a shoemaker, then briefly a brick maker and finally a Kansas farmer.  Beidler was also a supporter of John Brown, a radical abolitionist.  After Brown was captured and executed for his raid on Harper's Ferry, Beidler left Kansas for Texas where he wandered northward and joined the Montana Gold Rush in 1863.

Not long after coming to Montana, Beidler joining the Montana Vigilantes and became one of the organization's most active members.  Unlike most of the members, Beidler didn't care about concealing his identity, but rather welcomed the attention.  Many legends arose about the "Vigilante X" and Beidler did little to discourage them.  He was the principal hangman for most of the victims and survived several narrow escapes in his pursuit of the criminal element.

After helping rid Montana of crime, Beidler became a stagecoach guard and deputy US Marshall.  Although he was successful in both of these jobs, he was often criticized for misuse of his authority.  Maybe he liked the Vigilante in him a bit too much?

Beidler feel on hard times and became dependent on charity from those who remembered his prior service to the communities.  He died in Helena, Montana in 1890 and his certificate is listed as "Public Benefactor".

Next time...the Vigilante's Victims.

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