Markleeville in Alpine County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Hangmans Bridge Vigilante Justice
1. Hangmans Bridge Vigilante Justice Marker
On December 18, 1872 Ernst Reush, A jealous husband, shot and killed E.H. Erickson, A local saloon owner and Great Saint of Whiskey Pouring, at Erickson's saloon in Silver Mountain City. Reush believed that Erickson had been having an affair with his wife and took matters into his own hands. The gun was not Reush's but had been left in the bar by Charles P. Goff, who was county judge at the time. Not much is known of the altercation, but it can be assumed that whiskey was involved. Soon after the Murder, Reush was arrested and sent to the jail in Markleeville.
In order to spare the financially strapped county the expense of a jury trial, and due to the trouble of finding a jury that was unbiased, the county arranged for Reush to be transported to Mono County for a fair trial. Reush never made it out of Alpine County. On April 17, 1874, local armed vigilantes stopped Reush's escort near this point on the East Fork Carson River and took Reush as their prisoner. They put a noose around his neck and dropped him over the side of a bridge. Vigilante Justice was fast, blind and always willing to fight for a man's right to
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The original bridge that Reush was hanged from is no longer standing. It was located about one mile upstream from this location. However the new bridge that crosses this point in the river is still known today as Hangman's Bridge.
Dedicated on July 26 2014 (6019) Snowshoe Thompson Chapter 1827 Ancient and Honorable Order of E Clampus Vitus
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Bridges & Viaducts • Law Enforcement • Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 18, 1872.
Location. 38° 41.388′ N, 119° 45.934′ W. Marker is in Markleeville, California, in Alpine County. It can be reached from Alpine State Highway. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Markleeville CA 96120, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Sierra Nevada. It is also in the American Mountain West. Globally, it is in North America, the Pacific Rim, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Jacob Markley (approx. Ύ mile away); Alpine County Courthouse (approx. 0.8 miles away); Markleeville General Store (approx. 0.8 miles away); Alpine Hotel (approx. 0.9 miles away); The Hurdy House (approx. 0.9 miles away); Webster School (approx. 0.9 miles away); Hangman's Bridge & Vigilante Justice (approx. one mile away); The Lost Whiskey of Raymond (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Markleeville.
More about this marker. Note that the marker may or may not be at this location. It was at one point on display in all its glory, then killed and buried, and now has arisen from the tomb. Note that whiskey may be involved. For more clarity, consult the marker of the same name listed below as a related marker.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2025. This page has been viewed 73 times since then and 35 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on September 24, 2025. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
