Butte semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1886-1890, 1889-10-09
BOLD PLOT FRUSTRATED.
An Attempt to Rob an Express
Train or the Montana.
Central.
Made Several Months Ago-The
Fact Now Published the
First Time.

w OODflLLL, N1Ohe
ial correspondence OF the Miner.-]Ihe
hades OF evening had begun to gather when
started for home one day last June. 1
lad been engaged in driving a tunnel Tor
he Fredericksburg Mining company to
he east of Meaderville and just above
where the Montana Central railway winds
along the side Of the great mountain into
which 1 was tunneling. The ground had
threatened to cave and it was late when 1
succeeded in catching it up. A dense cloud
Of smoke hung over the valley and l could
objects only a short distance.
My way home was to follow the railroad
through the Woodville tunnel and thence
to Woodville. I hurried along, showing
that my wife would be uneasy, and l also
wished to beat the 7:3O express train
through the long tunnel which lay in my
way.
When 1 approached the west end of the
tunnel, I iancied / heard some one talking.
but as I could see no one ] attributed my
Impressions to imagination and hurried
into the dark shades OF the tunnel. I had
gone only a few yards when something
caused me to look up. I saw q heavy
object descending upon my head, l felt q
heavy shock and knew no more. I had
been struck on the head with a sand.bag
il the hands OF a road agent, I learned
The next 1 knew 1 was
lying on the floor of a dugout near the west
end of the tunnel, which the contractors
had used for storing powder and other
supplies while constructing the railroad.
Half a dozen fierce looking men stood
me armed with short shot-guns
and revolvers. They were talking e~xcitedly
of what they were evidently there for
wrecking the express, mail and passenger
train when it reached that point. Their
chief, a tall handsome man with dark
hair, and large brown eyes, was giving
directions and I could gather that just as
the train approached they were to throw a
huge stone on the track which would hurl
the engine and coaches over the heavy en-
During the. confusion and be-.
lore help could come they would rob the
express and mail car, as we'll as the pas
As Hay there thinking OF this horrible plot
I ~involuntarily shuddered. / had intended
for them to think me still unconscious, but
this attracted attention and one OF the
raised a club and vas about to
brain me when the chief dealt him a blow
that would have felled I'D OK. The outlaw
sprang to his feet and demanded my life:
--.l l. 49, - -o1 TO- ~-r--
that if l was allowed to live every man of
q month. Nevertheless you shall
not harm a hair on his head; 1 knew him
ffteea years ago." said the CHIEF. 60"
said the chief, stand to your post and do
not move a hand until I give the word"
They were to heave the rock upon the
at his signal. When the men had
gone I could get a full view OF the man who
had known me for fifteen years. Yes, there
in the dim light I recognized my college
mate, Jack Rollins! Could it be possible
that he was the chief OF hat desperate
band of outlaws?
Ny thoughts flew back to the college
stood on the banks OF the grand Mis-
souri. Jack ana "ffS'Ts were ren c1ass ar d,a a and
many a prank we played on the game
legged old professor who taught us chemis-
try and Latin. We were rivals at one time
|or a young lady's hand, Mollie Orr. lack
her with all OF his passionate SOM.
he fancied she favored my attentions
could not brook a rival and our friend.
hip disappeared. Things grew from had
20 worse until one morning we met on an
to settle the matter. Jack would
lear to nothing else, and, as l fancied nv
ell the better man, l made no objections.
The champion was to have the girl, pro.
'lded Mollie was willing. In 81 ort. 7 came |
ut second best and gave Jack no further |
rouble about Mollie. But a few weeks |
ater she went home on a vacation and |
ioped with her fathers hired hand. From
ne time we heard of this Jack took no
lrther interest in the school. In a short
ime he left, and 1 had understood. came
Vest.
In a few moments after the men had left |
be DUCT ut l heard the loud whistle. OF on.
me No. IL at the east end OF the tunnel. |
8 she came laundering on with her nrec.
JUS freight OF humanity, an intense desire
save those innocent people from the aw.
late which Jack Rollins was about to
oeak came over me. I carried in NV hin
ocket a small but trusty revolver, This
ley had neglected to take; in fact I do not
link their chief had allowed me searched
ollins stepped to the door to give the sip.
In an instant my revolver was at his
nipple. Not a word or you die."I al
ost Kissed; ''hands up!" He raised his
ands and stood there, pale and tremblinp
great train swept by unmolested and
tile did its passengers dream of the fate {
ey so narrowly escaped. After a few
oments consultation Jack agreed to NOT I
olest me nor allow his men to do so. and 1
omised that they would commit no de-.
edation in this part of Montana il a
,uld not give them away.
have just learned OF his death. He was
led In a desperate battle with the Cana
In police OF the Northwest territorv .
ere his name has long been a terror.
'ad agent, counterfeiter, thief, murderer,
confessed to me that for more than ten
he had bee" the leader of a. band ~
flaws. Attracted by the golden tales of L
tie he came on a visit. Becoming sbort Il
funds he planned the wreckipg Of the h.
in which, but for me would have been - ~
occess. When l knew him he was a man M
many sterling qualities and people uni pr
sally esteemed him. ~;
1OrgoG TO ask the name of the robber r,
a known me seven years. Jack ex- -
ned that the object in capturing me pc
TO prevent my giving the alarm when in
train was wrecked. At parting he hi
my hand with his old lime warmth -.
ncied saw a tear in his eye when he Gu
his men started down the hill in the ne 7
ctlon OF Butte. l watched them until a.
smoke and gathering darkness shut nr'
n ont from view, when 1 turned and ia
ICED into the black night which had mss
ady fallen in the long tunnel through NV
n | must pass. ID!
will add that the name oil Jack uel
was not the right name OF NV 70
'ge comrade nor yet the name by which
known to his murderous ASSOC.
's. His friends and relatives are living
would be panied to have exposed to ,u
that family skeleton which lay secure IN
many years in the closet screened bv
&c. G. E. KINMAN. =