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across the state. Th e numbers were added to the patch Patrol, in adopting this early symbol, honors the fi rst
in 1956 and added a fi nal gloss of respectability to men in the Montana Territory who organized for the
the actions of the original law enforcement group. safety and welfare of the people. For that same reason,
Promoted to chief administrator that year, Alex the Association of Montana Troopers has carried on
Stephenson personally designed the new insignia as a that tradition by placing the legendary 3-7-77 on their
tribute to law and order. “We chose the symbol,” he patch as well.
explained later, “to keep alive the memory of this fi rst
people’s police force.”

Th is mysterious combination of numbers has
captured the imagination of students of early Montana
law enforcement ever since the old-timers who knew
its signifi cance refused to reveal it. Th e original
Vigilantes took an oath of secrecy which was strictly
observed through the death of the very last one of
them. Th ere are many explanations that have been
explored over the years, and while their true meaning
remains a mystery, one thing is clear. Th ose numbers
struck fear into the hearts of those who found them
tacked upon their doors.

Th ank You - members of the Montana Highway
Th e most widely accepted theory today is that the
numbers represent the dimensions of a grave: 3 feet Patrol, for all you do in keeping our highways and
wide, 7 feet deep, and 77 inches (6 feet 5 inches) long. citizens safe.
Th e idea behind this is that if the “Road Agent” did not
leave town within a given amount of time (3 hours, 7 We are proud of our Masonic brothers, who are part
minutes, 77 seconds), they would fi nd themselves in of the Montana Highway Patrol.
such a grave.
Special thanks to the Montana Highway Patrol
and the Association of Montana Troopers for source
Another theory is that the numbers represent certain
persons in the group from their earlier days in the material for this article, Montana Historical Society
mining camps of California. Most of the Vigilantes and, the Grand Lodge of Montana archives.
came from California and followed the gold from
there to Montana. Many of the Montana miners had
belonged to vigilante organizations in California
where only numbers were used. Th is theory indicates
that three prominent California vigilantes (3, 7, and
77) came to Montana and off ered their expertise. Th is
same theory applies to Colorado as well.

A third theory explains that the numbers signify the
vocations of persons involved in the organization: 3
lawyers, 7 merchants, and 77 miners.

Perhaps one of the most well-known theories is that
the Vigilantes were formed by the Masonic order. In
this theory, 3 represents the number present at the
fi rst Masonic meeting in Montana, 7 the quorum,
and 77 signifi ed the number of Masons present at the
fi rst activity in the Territory, the funeral of Brother
William Bell (Bell was the 77th Mason present).

Each theory is credible. Regardless of its meaning,
however, 3-7-77 is emblematic of the fi rst organized
law enforcement in Montana. Th e Montana Highway
Montana Freemason Page 13 March/April 2021 Volume 97 No. 2