Political Spin? Believe It Or Not

Judy Wallman is a genealogy researcher in California. While she was doing work on her own family tree, she discovered that Congressman Harry Reid's great-great uncle, Remus Reid, was, in 1889, hanged for horse stealing and armed robbery in Montana.

This was important to Judy because both she and Harry Reid shared this common ancestor.

Upon finding this photograph and turning it over, she read the following:

"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."

Quite intrigued over so obviously important a find, Judy wrote to Congressman Reid's office, asking if Mr. Reid was aware of so infamous a forebear.

Here is the reply she received.

"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."