Hanging Windmill

Back in 1879, folks in Las Vegas, New Mexico found a new use for the windmill in the town plaza.  And why not—the well had gone dry a couple of years earlier.

Vigilantes hanged two accused killers from the structure.  And then the following February, citizens strung up three hardcases accused of killing the city marshal.  That wasn’t enough; bystanders riddled the men with bullets.

That infamous act seems to have been taken the wind out of the town’s sails, so to speak.  They tore the windmill down in April 1880.