Langford M. "Farmer" Peel was born c.1830. His birthplace is recorded as both Belfast, Ireland and Liverpool, England. He came to America with his parents while still a child. After serving in the U.S. Army, Peel gradually gained a reputation in the American west as a gambler, conman, and gunfighter.
He met his end on July 23, 1867, gunned down on Helena's Main Street by his "business" partner and fellow desperado, English gunman John B. (sometimes C.) Bull (c.1836-1929).
Numerous articles have been written about both Peel and Bull, some of which I have linked to at the bottom of this page. Details about people, dates, and events differ in these articles, as one might expect.
Peel was first buried in the City Cemetery, which was located on what is today the grounds of Central School. The first Central School was built in 1875, adjoing the cemetery. In 1879, most of the bodies in the City Cemetery, including that of Peel, were disinterred and reburied at the Benton Avenue Cemetery. It was at that time that Wilbur Fisk Sanders placed Peel's distinctive wooden grave marker in storage in his home's attic.... |
