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{{Short description|Symbol associated with the Montana Vigilantes}} |
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'''3-7-77''' is a symbol originally used by the [[Montana Vigilantes]], a 19th century [[vigilance committee]] in [[Virginia City, Montana]], United States. |
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'''3-7-77''' was the symbol used by the [[Montana Vigilantes]] ([[Vigilance Committee]]) in [[Virginia City, Montana]], [[USA]] in the 19th century. People who found the numbers '3-7-77' painted on their [[tent]] or [[log cabin|cabin]] knew that they had better leave the area or expect to be on the receiving end of [[vigilantism]]. |
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==Historic examples== |
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The numbers are used on the shoulder patch of the [[Montana Highway Patrol]], who claim they do not know the original meaning of the symbol, though the Association of Montana Troopers website says "Regardless of its meaning, however, 3-7-77 is emblematic of the first organized law enforcement in Montana. The Montana Highway Patrol, in adopting this early symbol, honors the first men in the Montana Territory who organized for the safety and welfare of the people. For that same reason, the Association of Montana Troopers has carried on that tradition by placing the legendary 3-7-77 on their patch as well. It has been suggested the numbers represent the date the Vigilante Oath was signed in Bannack Montana, the first seat of Justice in the state. You can visit the Masonic Temple in the now ghost town and see the Oath for yourself hanging on the wall. It is dated March 7, 1877. (3-7-77)"<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.montanatrooper.com/3-7-77/|title=Association of Montana Troopers {{!}} 3-7-77 Information|website=www.montanatrooper.com|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref> |
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[[File:Robber's Roost, Madison County, Montana.jpg|thumb|Robber's Roost in [[Madison County, Montana]] is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Montana|National Register of Historic Places]]]] |
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When the numbers "3-7-77" were painted on a tent or cabin, it was a warning that the occupants could face [[vigilantism]] if they did not leave the area. In 1917, union organizer [[Frank Little (unionist)|Frank Little]] was lynched, and a note pinned to his body read, "Others take notice, first and last warning, 3-7-77."<ref>{{cite news |last=Carroll |first=Rory |date=2016-09-21 |title=The mysterious lynching of Frank Little |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/sep/21/mysterious-lynching-of-frank-little-equality-activist |work=Guardian |access-date=2022-05-30}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The symbol |
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==Modern examples== |
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The numbers are used on the shoulder patch of the [[Montana Highway Patrol]]. The Association of Montana Troopers website says the patch: |
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{{Blockquote |text=Is emblematic of the first organized law enforcement in Montana. The Montana Highway Patrol, in adopting this early symbol, honors the first men in the Montana Territory who organized for the safety and welfare of the people.<ref name="AMT">{{Cite web|url=http://www.montanatrooper.com/3-7-77/|title=Association of Montana Troopers {{!}} 3-7-77 Information|website=www.montanatrooper.com|access-date=2016-07-08}}</ref>}} |
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Various theories have been put forth about its meaning, including: |
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| ⚫ | * The numbers represent the dimensions of a grave, 3 feet by 7 feet by 77 inches.<ref>[[Norman Maclean|Maclean, Norman]] (1992). |
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The symbol is the logo of [[Big Sky Brewing Company]] of [[Missoula, Montana]].<ref name="Furshong">{{cite news | last = Furshong | first = Gabriel | date = May 29, 2019 | title = Montana's vigilante obsession obscures the truth | url = https://www.hcn.org/issues/51.11/history-montanas-vigilante-obsession-obscures-the-truth | work = High Country News}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | * Frederick Allen, in his book ''A Decent Orderly [[Lynching]]'', says the number meant the person had to buy a $3 ticket on the next 7:00 a.m. [[stagecoach]] to take the 77-mile trip from [[Helena Montana|Helena]] to [[Butte Montana|Butte]].<ref>Allen, Frederick. ''A Decent Orderly Lynching.'' Norman |
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* The number set may have something to do with the date March 7, 1877; the numbers were first used in that decade and first appeared in print later in that decade of the 19th century. The first [[Masonic]] meeting in Bannack, Montana took place March 7, 1877. Many members of this lodge were also the original Vigilantes.<ref>Allen, Frederick, ‘Montana Vigilantes and the Origins of 3-7-77’, Montana: The Magazine of Western History, Vol. 51, No. 1 (2001)</ref> |
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Some floats in the Vigilante Day Parade in [[Helena, Montana]], display the numbers 3-7-77.<ref name="Furshong"/> |
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*The Bannack Masons applied for a charter for a Masonic Lodge in 1863. Later in 1871 Bannack Lodge 16 was chartered and remained open until 1921, when it consolidated with the Dillon Masonic Lodge. In 2000 Bannack Historic Lodge 3-7-77 was organized through the Grand Lodge of Montana. |
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*The same source (the Bannack State Park Guide) also says in 1874 realizing the need for a school, Bannack Masonic Lodge 16 built the combination lodge and school. However, this suggests that the first Masonic meeting in Bannack was well before March 7, 1877. |
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== Origin == |
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Theories regarding the origin and meaning of the symbol include: |
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*The numbers represent the date the Vigilante Oath was signed in [[Bannack, Montana]], the first seat of Justice in the state. This claim is perpetuated by a supposed oath, dated March 7, 1877, that hangs on the wall of the Masonic Lodge 3-7-77 in Bannack.<ref name="AMT"/> |
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| ⚫ | * Frederick Allen, in his book ''A Decent Orderly [[Lynching]]'', says the number meant the person had to buy a $3 ticket on the next 7:00 a.m. [[stagecoach]] to take the 77-mile trip from [[Helena Montana|Helena]] to [[Butte Montana|Butte]].<ref>Allen, Frederick (2004). ''A Decent Orderly Lynching.'' Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. {{ISBN?}}{{page?|date=July 2023}}</ref> |
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* In ''The Wasted Vigil,'' author Nadeem Aslam says the number means you have three hours, seven minutes and seventy-seven seconds to get out or face violence.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Aslam |first=Nadeem |title=The Wasted Vigil |publisher=Faber and Faber |year=2008 |isbn=978-0-571-23880-4 |location=London}}</ref> |
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* The number set may have something to do with the date March 7, 1877. The first documented evidence of use of the symbol in a vigilante scenario occurred in November 1879 in Helena when it was mentioned in a newspaper article. A 1914 dissertation noted that it was simply used as part of a meeting notice.<ref>{{cite journal |title=The Fateful Numbers 3-7-77: A Re-Examination |author=Rex C. Myers |journal=Montana: The Magazine of Western History |volume=24 |number=4 |date=Autumn 1974 |pages=67–70 |publisher=Montana Historical Society |jstor=4517928 }}</ref> The first [[Masonic]] meeting in Bannack, Montana is sometimes said to have taken place on March 7, 1877, but there is no historic evidence for this claim.<ref>Allen, Frederick, "Montana Vigilantes and the Origins of 3-7-77", ''Montana: The Magazine of Western History'', Vol. 51, No. 1 (2001)</ref> The same source (the Bannack State Park Guide) also claims that in 1874, realizing the need for a school, the Bannack Masonic Lodge 16 built a combination lodge building and school. However, this would mean that the first Masonic meeting in Bannack was held well before March 7, 1877. The Bannack Masons actually applied for a charter for a Masonic Lodge in 1863. Bannack Lodge 16 was chartered in 1871, and remained open until 1921, when it consolidated with the Dillon Masonic Lodge. Hence, the date theory does not stand. In 2000 Bannack Historic Lodge 3-7-77 was organized through the Grand Lodge of Montana.{{cn|date=July 2023}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Latest revision as of 20:23, 14 February 2024
3-7-77 is a symbol originally used by the Montana Vigilantes, a 19th century vigilance committee in Virginia City, Montana, United States.
Historic examples[edit]
When the numbers "3-7-77" were painted on a tent or cabin, it was a warning that the occupants could face vigilantism if they did not leave the area. In 1917, union organizer Frank Little was lynched, and a note pinned to his body read, "Others take notice, first and last warning, 3-7-77."[1]
Modern examples[edit]
The numbers are used on the shoulder patch of the Montana Highway Patrol. The Association of Montana Troopers website says the patch:
Is emblematic of the first organized law enforcement in Montana. The Montana Highway Patrol, in adopting this early symbol, honors the first men in the Montana Territory who organized for the safety and welfare of the people.[2]
The symbol appears on the flight suits of pilots of the Montana Air National Guard,[3] and the flight patch of the Montana Army National Guard Medevac unit 1189th GSAB – Vigilantes.[citation needed]
The symbol is the logo of Big Sky Brewing Company of Missoula, Montana.[3]
Some floats in the Vigilante Day Parade in Helena, Montana, display the numbers 3-7-77.[3]
Origin[edit]
Theories regarding the origin and meaning of the symbol include:
- The numbers represent the date the Vigilante Oath was signed in Bannack, Montana, the first seat of Justice in the state. This claim is perpetuated by a supposed oath, dated March 7, 1877, that hangs on the wall of the Masonic Lodge 3-7-77 in Bannack.[2]
- The numbers represent the dimensions of a grave, 3 feet by 7 feet by 77 inches.[4]
- Frederick Allen, in his book A Decent Orderly Lynching, says the number meant the person had to buy a $3 ticket on the next 7:00 a.m. stagecoach to take the 77-mile trip from Helena to Butte.[5]
- In The Wasted Vigil, author Nadeem Aslam says the number means you have three hours, seven minutes and seventy-seven seconds to get out or face violence.[6]
- The number set may have something to do with the date March 7, 1877. The first documented evidence of use of the symbol in a vigilante scenario occurred in November 1879 in Helena when it was mentioned in a newspaper article. A 1914 dissertation noted that it was simply used as part of a meeting notice.[7] The first Masonic meeting in Bannack, Montana is sometimes said to have taken place on March 7, 1877, but there is no historic evidence for this claim.[8] The same source (the Bannack State Park Guide) also claims that in 1874, realizing the need for a school, the Bannack Masonic Lodge 16 built a combination lodge building and school. However, this would mean that the first Masonic meeting in Bannack was held well before March 7, 1877. The Bannack Masons actually applied for a charter for a Masonic Lodge in 1863. Bannack Lodge 16 was chartered in 1871, and remained open until 1921, when it consolidated with the Dillon Masonic Lodge. Hence, the date theory does not stand. In 2000 Bannack Historic Lodge 3-7-77 was organized through the Grand Lodge of Montana.[citation needed]
References[edit]
- ^ Carroll, Rory (September 21, 2016). "The mysterious lynching of Frank Little". Guardian. Retrieved May 30, 2022.
- ^ a b "Association of Montana Troopers | 3-7-77 Information". www.montanatrooper.com. Retrieved July 8, 2016.
- ^ a b c Furshong, Gabriel (May 29, 2019). "Montana's vigilante obsession obscures the truth". High Country News.
- ^ Maclean, Norman (1992). A River Runs Through It and Other Stories. New York: Pocket Books (Simon & Schuster). p. 33. ISBN 0671776975.
- ^ Allen, Frederick (2004). A Decent Orderly Lynching. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press. [ISBN missing][page needed]
- ^ Aslam, Nadeem (2008). The Wasted Vigil. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-23880-4.
- ^ Rex C. Myers (Autumn 1974). "The Fateful Numbers 3-7-77: A Re-Examination". Montana: The Magazine of Western History. 24 (4). Montana Historical Society: 67–70. JSTOR 4517928.
- ^ Allen, Frederick, "Montana Vigilantes and the Origins of 3-7-77", Montana: The Magazine of Western History, Vol. 51, No. 1 (2001)
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