Does thinking you understand what another says mean you hear what they mean?

He who wishes to deceive will never fail to find willing dupes

 

Niccolo Machiavelli

 

The Legend of Shamus Dodman

 

Shamus Dodman, the great-great-great uncle of a famous late 20^th century politician, was hanged for horse theft and train robbery in Montana in 1889.

 

The inscription on the back of the pre-hanging photograph of Shamus,

an image in which he was surrounded by law enforcement personnel,

read;

 

Shamus Dodman, 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.

 

To cast a more positive light on Shamus’ biography for his great, great, great nephew, political and image consultants reinterpreted his past as follows:

 

Shamus Dodman, a famous cowboy and businessman in the Montana Territory, grew his empire through intimate dealings with the Montana railroad and acquisition and trading in equestrian assets.  

 

In 1883, he devoted several years of his life to serve government facilities, taking leave in 1887 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, Shamus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed.