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Montana Territorial Prison

Prison opened July 2, 1871 in Deer Lodge, Montana Territory.[1]

In 1867, the Montana Territory chose Deer Lodge for the site of their territorial prison. The first prisoners were incarcerated on July 2, 1871.[1]

Ghost Rider: On July 2, 1871, Shane was one of the first prisoners incarcerated in the Montana Territorial Prison, for mail theft during a train robbery in Wyoming Territory,[3] in which he also stole $60,000 of Wells Fargo treasure. Shane's wife, Mary, had the stolen loot and moved to White Rock, Texas to hide out until his sentence was served. A few weeks after entering the prison, Shane met fellow inmate Felton. On learning of Shane's stolen loot, he convinced Shane to break out of prison with him and they began formulating their plans of escape. In 1872, Felton killed a prison guard and they made good their escape.[4]