Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-20
THE N. P. TRAIN ROBBERY.
A Very Carelessly Performed Job-Did the
Robbers Know What the Safe Com
tained Before They Went for 1t ?

A IN w AAAE tAC 08Ao NNA
tanned Before They Went for 1t
1t was never supposed by residents d
Montana when reading of train robberiesin
Arkansas and Texas that Montana would
ever be the scene Of one. Since the days
when stage coaches were halted and their
passengers made to stand and deliver, it
was believed that Montana was free Of the
infection OF highway robbers. But a sud-
den and unpleasant awakening was expe-
rienced on Sunday evening when the pas
bound Northern Pacific brought the de-
tails Of q robbery OF the train near
Cnster. a station east OF Billings. That
it was not a thoroughly business like train
robbery was apparent from the length OF
time the robbers took in their task and
the perfunetory way they went through the
passengers. A son and daughter of Colonel
Napton were in the Pullman, coming home
from school. Young Lanier Napton was
preparing to retire to his berth, it being
about IL o'clock, when the train came + 8
~standstill in a gorge through which it had
been going at moderate speed. He soon
learned what was the matter. Robbers
had
HALTED THE ENGINEER
and the intention was to rob the passen-
gers. In the darkness he could perceive
the dim outlines of two men on horseback
on either side OF the train, while a man on
the rear platform warned everyone to
remain within. A great many shots were
nred TO scare the passengers and every one
got as near the floor as he could. Most of
the ladies had retired. Every one in the
sleeper began to secrete his or her yalua-
bles. They had plenty of time, as it was
hour before a robber wearing q blue
handkerchief for a mask and roughly
dressed appeared al the door and went |
through the passengers in q half apologize
way. No one gave up a 1.-THE of what he /
had and the
ROBBIE MADE NO EFFORT
find more, search berths or rob ladies. |
Wateherwere refused and only money was
and mighty little OF that. The
object of the robbers appeared to be the
capture of the express cars y~aluables and
sven here they were sa tisfied with a small
safe and did o compel the unlocking of
The large one. They carried off the small
sale, however. They were fully an hour
a half at their work. They did not
tut the telegraph wires and they acted
With a high toned liberality and chivalric
for females hat would have done
,redit to Claude Duyal or Dick Turpin. As
IN example OF how easily they allowed
TO BE pos pom
nay be mentioned the Instance OF Mr..
Iames McGregor. of Anaconda, who a re-
urning with his bride from the wedding
rip. AS soon as he learned what was up
10 at once gave his money, about $3.50, to
lis wife, telling her to coil it up in her hair,
Which she quickly did, and throwing a
hawl over her head, awaited the coming of
robbers. MOI did they lave long to
1ait before the order to ''hand out your
,alnables'' come. He then threw them his
urse, which contained about SIS. The
money was taken out and the purse re-
Another gentleman stuck about
500 under the carpet and forked
yer a v. Altogether it was a mysterious
ind OF robbery and the men who took
art in it were either the merest tyros at
he business or had very good reason for I
that the little express safe con-
aimed enough to repay them for their
without more than going through
be form OF train robbery.