A study in political spin

 

Judy Wallman, a  professional genealogy researcher here in southern

California, was doing some personal work on her own family tree. She

discovered that Harry Reid's great-great  uncle, Remus Reid, was hanged

for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.  Both Judy and

Harry Reid share this common ancestor.

 

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows in

Montana territory.

 

On the back of the picture Judy obtained during her research is this

inscription: 'Remus Reid, horse thief, sent to Montana Territorial

Prison 1885, escaped 1887, robbed the Montana Flyer six times.  Caught

by Pinkerton detectives, convicted and hanged in 1889.'

 

So Judy recently e-mailed Harry Reid for information about

their great-great uncle.

 

Believe it or not, Harry Reid's staff sent back the following biographical sketch for

her genealogy research:

 

'Remus Reid was a  famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business

empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and

intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1883, he

devoted several years of his  life to government service, finally taking

leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a

key player in a vital  investigation run by the  renowned Pinkerton

Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic

function held in his  honor when the platform upon which he was standing

collapsed.'

Spin works time and again when there's no-one like MonkeySee or Anderson Cooper to dig deep and find out the real truth or ungild the lily.