The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-08-28
Why the Safe on the East Bound
Express Was Not Blown
Wide Open.
All the Coaches Gone Through
and the Passengers
t.... Robbed
Money, Watches and Diam monds the Booty
Sscursd-The Rasoals Wore Noisy
but Very Good Natursd.
Special to The Independent.

have been received of the hold-up last
night of the Northern Pacific east-bound
u )ress (No. ~. The work WAS done by
five masked men at a point near Recd's
Point, a station fifty miles east from Liv-
inRston. The fact of the robbery was tele-
ernphed here from saltwater; late last
night, and soon after midnight Sheriff Con-
row and posse loft by special train for
the scene of the robbery. Engineer John
Brown. who was pulling the train. arrived
from the east this morning, and from him
tho following fac.s were learned: He states
that soon after leaving Grayc!itfo two
masked men were noticed on the engine
tender. and that they Immediately pro-
dnced revolvers and covered both him and
Fireman Wilson, telling them at the time
TO remain seated.
Engineer Brown was told that they OK
peoted him TO stop the train at point
where they would direct. After running
about nine miles white light was noticed
near the track. The robbers told the en-
Rineer to stop directly opposite the light.
which he did. Here three other masked
men made an appearance. The engineer
and fireman were ordered to get down
the express car and the fireman was told to
break in the door. Before this was done
the exp ess messenger opened the door and
was at once covered with q Winchester.
He was told to open the safe but could
only open the outside door. This snraged
the robbers who threatened to blow up
the car. When convinced that the
messenger could not OF en- the inside door
ono of the robbers brought dynamite and
tools to open the safe. One. who appeared
| to be the leader of the party, examined the
door and concluded that they did not have
time to open it.
! The robbers then left the express car and
placing the engineer, fireman and messen-
ger directly In front. covering them all the
time with guns. they proceeded to the rear
of tho train. Here the fireman was told ia
open the door of the sleeper. Meanwhile
two robbers stood on the tracks with guns
leveed on the door. Tho door was found
to be locked. and while the fireman waa
trying to open 1t some train hand or pass-
engsr fired through the door from the In
side. barely missing him. The robbers gave
notice that if the door was not opened i'm
mediate!y they would fire into il.
After few n ors moments delay the car
was opened. The robbers then passed.
through the train and relieved tho passen
| &c of their money and other valuables
While this was going on the widest excite
ment prevailed among the occupants of the
cars. When passenger was reluctant
about giving up his money or valaables I
gun was placed near his head and dis
oha ged. This usually had the desired
effect. In passing through the train the
robbers kept shooting at random through
tho cars. Wien they had gone through al
The coaches they allowed the engineer tc
ente, the engine while they wont sbou
fifty feet in front of the train and firing of
their guns disappeared in the darkness.
The robbers scoured oral hundred dol
lars and a number Of gold watches and
diamonds. Mich more would have beer
taken, but while the robbers we're going
through the express car the passenger
SEQ eted a portion Of their valuables
While doing the job tho robbers were ver,
cool and at times joked with the passen
gers. 1t is thought they are old hands il
the business.
Sheriff Ramsey. of Billings. with poss
OF thirteen. were expected to meet Sherit
Conrow. Sam Jackson. Tom Guidon an.
others who went from hero. Many her
think Gross and Cav. the Castle despera
does, were with the gang, and from Johl
Browns account 1t would appear one of tn
rohbers knew Representative Babcock. o
Billings. When asked for his watch Bah
cook replied that he had none. Tho robbie
told him he knew damn sight better
tint he always carried n watch.
The robbers ordered lunch for four from
the dining car and one or two of the train
men Say there were only four OF them
Others say there were five.