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The Value of Spin
(Found in a local free paper)
Judy Wallman, a professional genealogical researcher, discovered that Hilary Clinton’s great-great uncle, Remus Rodham, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889.

The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of this picture is this inscription:

‘Remus Rodham: 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’

Julie e-mailed Hilary Clinton for information about her great-great uncle. Hilary’s staff sent back the following biographical sketch.

‘Remus Rodham was a famous cowboy in 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 honour, when the platform on which he was standing collapsed’