Thursday, May 11, 2006

Hill (Hillary) Beachy


Hillary Beachy was born in Lebanon, Ohio 1828, died in Marysville California, May 23, 1875. Married September 1, 1858 to Margaret Ann Early, born in England 1837. Hill was a Mexican war vet, owned the Luna House at Red Bluff 1860, and built the Luna House (hotel) in Lewiston Idaho in 1862. The second floor of the hotel was used as a jail for a short time, it also served as the county court house. The hotel is now gone and a museum is located on the same property, close to the junction of the Clear Water and Snake River.
Hill Beachy is famous for his capture of the murderers of Lloyd Magruder and his four men as they were traveling by pack train through the mountains. Hill pursued the murderers to San Francisco, arrested them and brought them back to Lewiston, where they were tried and hanged. This event played a big part in ending the role of the vigilantes. They would have preferred hanging the murderers without a trial.
Hill was well known for his stage coach route between San Fransico and Boise Idaho, along with many mining towns in Nevada and Idaho. He had four hundred horses and numerous coaches, and wagons that carried mail, freight, etc. As the rail roads entered the country Hill became involved with them as well.
So far I'm unable to place Hill Beachey on the family tree, if anyone has any information let me know.