Helena weekly herald., 1888-09-13
ASSAULT ON A TRAIN.
Con Kelly and Sam Vaughn Arrested
for Attacking M. A. Meyen-
dorff on the Turner's
ExctrsiOn

Under Sheriff Lindsay, of Jefferson
county, came in from Boulder last night
with warrants for the arrest of Con Kelly
and Sam Vaughn, of Helena, on the charge
of assault, the two men having been in
dicted on that count by the grand jury for
Jefferson county now in session. The
papers were served last night and this
morning Messrs. Kelly and Vaughn accom-
panied the officer to Boulder. This oc-
currence is the sequel to an event that
transpired last Sunday on the
Montana Central excursion train
that was carrying the Helena Turn Verein
back from their picnic at Butte. The ac-
count given us is as follows: Several
non-members of this society, took advant-
age of the excursion to make a Wis to
Butte and among the number were Messrs.
M. A. Meyendorf, II. II. Dayis, G. r. Met
ten, L. S. Wells, Tom Sharpe, w. ]. Fuchs
and Behrens. The train did not leave
Butte until 10 o'clock and. as the start had
been made from Helena early in the morn
ing, the above party tried to snatch little
sleep. This was rather difficult, as a hi
lariOus party in the forward end of the car
kept up quite a racket drinking, singing,
talking loud and rafting pair of Ofcymbals
they had obtained from the band. At last
patience ceased to be virtue and
MIR. Davis asked them if they would not
keep quiet. Whereupon one Of the noisy
party jumped uD and came at Davis, ask
ing if be want d to fight As he advanced
in belligerent attitude, Mey endorff who
was sitting in front of Davis, jumped up
and intertered to prevent Davis from being
eft ho hol1 IND
proved to be Sam Vaughn, of Helena, then
retired and peace reigned for few mo-
ments. Con. Kelly, who was one of the
party with Vaughn, soon after got up and
walked to the rear of the car, passing
MeyendOrff without saying anything. He
soon returned, however, and, on reaching
the seat where Meyend was
endeavoring to take nap, without warn
ing struck that gentleman two heavy
blows in the face. Meyendorff jumped up
to defend himself from this unexpected on
slaught, but Kelly bad regained his COM
panions and jeeringly dared him to come
on. Seeing that the men were somewhat
under the influence of liquor, Meyendorff,
on the advice of his friends, desisted from
retaliating and resumed his seat. Presently
Sam Vaughn, whom Meyendorff bad
repulsed in the first attack on Davis, came
up, apparently in cOnciliatOry mood.
Meyendortf allowed him to approach with
out rising from his seat, thinking he was
about to apologize. He was sadly mistaken
for Vaughn bent over his seat and asked
him if he (Meyendorff) had struck him.
Meyendortf replied that he had not, but
the words were scarcely out of his
mouth before Vaughn let fly with his fist
and struck him two hard blows in the face.
Meyendorff and his friends then surround
ed Vaughn and fight seemed imminent,
but Vaughn was pushed away and no fur
ther blows wer given.
On the first outbreak the conductor and
brakeman had been notified of the attack
by Meyendorff and asked to put the dis
orderly party off the train. The brake
man, however, had been seen drinking
with Vaughn and party and the conductor
evidently sympathized with them, for all
the satisfaction Meyendorff got was the
reply, Il know my duty"
Last Tuesday Mr.. Meyendorff went
to Boulder and laid the case
before the grand jury. The result
was an indictment for assault and the ar
rest of Messrs. Kelly and Vaughn as above
noted. Manager Shelby, of the Montana
Central, was notified of the occurrence and
at once had the conductor and brakeman
of the train discharged for neglect of duty.
Hereafter, he says, he will put the redoubt-
able Col. Mclaughlin on as conductor for
excursions. Then order will be preserved
Mr.. Meyendorff was laid up one day
with his injuries, but is now out again
slightly dlsfgured but still in the ring"
as he saws