The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-20
SHOT BY A MINER.
Defending His Claim to
the Last.
TRAGEDY OF THE HILLS.
Railroad superintendent Newell
Meets His Death.
HE DARED A DESPERATE MAN.
Before He Could Move to Defend
Himself He Had Met tlis
Doom.
HE DARED A DESPERATE MAN.

DENVER, Dec. ia special to the
News from Cripple Creek, Colo, says:
Richard Newell Jr., chief engineer and
superintendent of the Midland Terminal
Railroad, was shot and Instantly killed at
4:55 this afternoon by w. A. Van Houten.
a quarter of mile east of Anaconda
City. Newell was on the work train TO
which was attached his private car, and
was coming from Grassy to Independence
when he gave a signal to the engineer to
stop at cabin situated on the right of
way and within six feet OF the track. He
jumped off his rar and with paper in his
hand entered the cabin, which was occu-
pied by Van Houten and a partner. A
minute later the trainmen saw Newell
back out of the cabin followed by Van
Houten. holding Winchester. Evidently
the men had some words within doors as
Newell said as soon as he gained tie ou.-
side:
You are dirty coward; put your gun
down and come out and fight like man."
Quick as flash the rifle was raised, the
trigger pulled and the ball entered Newell's
left side, two inches below the left nipple
and came out of the right side. Newell
turned and ran about twenty feet with his
arms clasped together and fell forward.
Pat McCawel. the bridge-building super
lntendent, who was on the train, rushed
forward, and with the assistance of others,
carried the wounded man into the car. He
expired within few minutes without say
ing word. When McCawell rushed to
the assistance Of Newell, the murderer
raised his rife again and aimed at Mecca
well, but did not shoot. The private car
slowly started toward Victor, and doctor
was summoned, but Newell was dead long
before Victor was reached.
Deputy Sheriff Hollingshead and one OF
the Victor town council boarded the train
and it was quickly run back to the scene
of the tragedy. The officers went to the
cabin and placed Van Houten and his
partner under arrest. Neither OF the men
made any attempt to escape although
they had ample time and made no resls-
lance when asked to surrender. Van
Houten had changed his clothes and was
apparently waiting in his cabin expecting
arrest. He was identified by McCawell
and the other trainmen and did not seem
to be excited over the affair. The train
containing the body of Newell and the two
prisoners proceeded to Gillett and waited
there for the regular passenger train which
leaves Gillett about 8 o'clock.
When the news of the killing of Newell
became known in town there was great
excitement. While waiting at Gillett the
car containing Van Houten was guarded
by officers, as there was considerable talk
among the railroad men OF lynchiDg
the murderer, and the officers were de-
termined to resist any such action If
attempted. The tragedy is the result OF a
dispute between the owners Of the Black
Wonder mining claim and the railroad
company as to the amount of damages to
be paid the owners OF the ground which
the company had taken for right of way.
1t is supposed that the paper which
Newell held in his hand when he entered
the cabin was al order on the occupants
to vacate. Mr.. Newell was graduate of
the Massachusetts School of Technology
class of '82.