Legend of 601 Vigilance

It all started when…

The primary purpose of a Vigilance Committee was to maintain law and order and administer summary justice where governmental law enforcement was inadequate.

In the year 1871, the "601s", a name which was borrowed by a similar Vigilance Committee which originated in San Francisco, was formed in Virginia City. This Virginia City Vigilance Committee, which was  was composed of honest, determined citizens, including bankers, storekeepers, miners, stockbrokers, and other citizens of all backgrounds,  decided to take the law into their own hands and combat lawlessness in Virginia City.

Rather than issuing a warrant to undesirables, the group issued their own calling card, a handwritten note, with only the numbers "601" written on it, which were served by masked members of the 601s and were official notices for these persons to leave town. If such persons had not left town within 24 hours, they were severely dealt with by the members.

While it is known that since it's creation, a whistle, bell, or siren, has sounded at exactly 12 o'clock noon in Virginia City (back in the day of the 601s of the 1870s to the 1880s - it was the  church bell that rang). If the bells were heard at any other time, it was the community alarm for the 601 members to gather and for the citizens and local law enforcement to vacate the streets. It was also notice for the desperadoes of the time, regardless of their crime, that it was time to depart.  Those failing to do so, despite the apparent warning, would quickly find themselves facing forced removal from the community, either by horse, by foot, by train, by wagon, or by casket.

Although folklore has it that "601" means Six Feet Under, Zero Tolerance, and One Rope, the number probably more accurately reflects the 601 original members of the San Francisco Vigilance Committee.  Regardless, the sight of the numbers "601" posted on a door, presented to an undesirable, or pinned to a dead body, meant that justice was about to be or had been served. As the organization was secret, little remains of their history, their real members, or the true meaning of "601", accept that their legend grew throughout Nevada, California, and the rest of the West, and crime dropped significantly during a time when it was needed.

Much like similar groups throughout history, such as Robin Hood, Pancho Villa, the Knights Templar, and the Minute Men, who were given credit for activities on a grander scale then they actually accomplished, the 601s were credited with numerous summary executions and beatings. However, one of most sensational executions that the Virginia City 601s did accomplish, was that of Arthur Perkins from the rafters of Piper's Opera House.  Captured by the 601s for shooting down a man in cold blood at the bar of the International Hotel, Arthur was summarily identified by witnesses and convicted of murder.  Needless to say, as word got around, Virginia City became a safe community and received guests from around the word, including Thomas Edison, Samuel Clemens, and Ulysses S. Grant when he was President of the United States. Eventually, the need for the 601s dissipated and they were disbanded.