“George Ives was one of them,” said Plummer.
“Yes,” responded Southmayd, “and the others were ‘Whiskey Bill’ and Bob Zachary; and I’ll live to see them hanged before three weeks.”
Southmayd did not know that Plummer’s accusation was made for the purpose of detecting his knowledge of the robbers. Bissell, who had overheard Southmayd’s revelation to Plummer, said to him soon after,
“Leroy, your life isn’t worth a cent.”
George Crisman, who was standing by, added,
“They’ll kill you sure.”
Business detained Southmayd in Bannack the succeeding three days. During that time he never met Plummer, who left him immediately after they held the conversation above narrated.
Two days afterwards, while on his way to Virginia City, Caldwell, the driver, met with “Whiskey Bill” at the Cold Spring ranche.
“Did you hear of the robbery, Bill, on my trip out?” he inquired.
“Sure, I did, Tom,” replied Bill. “Do you know any of the fellows who committed it?”