The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-12-20

| Denver, Colo, Dec. ia special to
the News from Cripple Creek. Colo.
says:
Richard Newell, jr., chief engineez
and superintendent of the Midland
Terminal railroad, was shot and in
stantly killed at 4:55 this afternoon bv
w. A. Van Houten, one-quarter of a
mile east Of Anaconda City. Newell
was on the work train to which was
attached his private car and was COM
ing from Grassy to Independence
Wnen he gave a signal to the engineer
| 10 stop at a cabin situated on the right
Of-Way and within six feet of the track.
| He jumped off his car and, with a.
paper in his hand, entered the cabin,
which was occupied by Van Houten
| and a, partner. A minute later the
trainmen saw Newell back out of the
cabin followed by Van Houten, holding
a Winchester. Evidently the men had
some words within doors, as Newell
said as soon as he gained the outside:
You are a dirty coward. Put your
gun down and come out and fight like
a man."
Quick as flash The rifle was raised,
the trigger pulled and the ball entered
| Newel1s left side, two inches below
the left nipple and came out of the
right side. Newell turned and ran about
| 20 feet with his arms clasped together
and fell forward. Pat NIcCawell, the
bridge and building superintendent,
who was on the train, rushed forward
and with the assistance Of others car
ried the wounded man into his car.
He expired within a few minutes, with
out saying a word. When McCawelI
rushed to the assistance of Newell, the
murderer raised his rifle again and
aimed at NcCawell, but did not shoot.
The private car slowly started toward
Victor, and a doctor was summoned,
but Newell was dead long before Victor
was reached. Deputy Sheriff Hollings- 4
head and one of the Victor town coIr114
Gil boarded the train. and IL was quick-l
ly 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
mad ample time, and made no resist
ance when asked to surrender. Van
Houten had changed his clothes and
was apparently awaiting in his cabin
expecting arrest. He was identified by
McCaweH and the other trainmen, and
did not seem to be excited over the af-
fair. The train containing the body Of
Newell and the two prisoners proceeded
to Gillett and waited there for the reg
ular passenger train which leaves Gill
lett about O'Clock.
When the news of the killing Of New
Ell became known in town there was
great excitement. While waiting at
Gillett, the car containing Van HOutOn
was guarded by officers, as there was
considerable talk among the railroad
men of lynching the murderer, and the
officers were determined to resist any
such action If attempted.
The tragedy is the result Of dispute
between the owners Of the BlaclSi
Wonder mining claim and the ralroadA
company as 10 the amount OF damages
to be paid the owners Of the ground
which the company had taken for a
right of way.
1t is supposed that the paper which
Newell held in his hand when ne enY
tered the cabin was an order on thf
occupants to vacate- Friends Of VAN
Houten say that Newell had a wordy
quarrel with Van Houten several days
ago and threatened his life if he gave
him any more trouble. Van HoUten has
lived in Cripple Creek for the past year
or so and heretofore bore q good rep1-
tation R. Newell jr., was associated
with H Collbran, and early advocated
the construction of the Midland Ter
ninal. A few weeks ago he buried ms
wife, and he leaves two young children
to mourn his tragic death. He was a
graduate of the Massachusetts School
of Technology, class Of 81.