Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1901-07-11
BINGHAM HAS
A SENSATION.
An Ex-Convlct Charges Popular
Miner With Arson,
TRIES TO BREAK UP FAMILY
Wanted 20 Institute Proceedings
County Attorney Refuses TO
Issue the Papers,

In 1889 a man was arrested at ogden
by Mr.. Arthur Pratt then deputy
United States marshal, and Sheriff Bel
nap, the charge against him being tram
robbery. The deed was committed at
Thompson Springs a few days before
when the Rio Grande Western train
was stopped and the passengers
robbed of their money and yaluables.
This man was Ed Dayton, alias Nc
Nell alias Fisher and be was assisted
in his work by younger man named
Joe Ney, who stood outside the train
discharging his rife into the cars while
Dayton went through them II had
been their Intention to blow up the
express and mail cars, but fear Of the
early arrival of another train prevent
ed them from doing 80. Before being
arrested Dayton held up gambler at
Ogden and shot in the leg a hackman
who attempted to follow him. on both
these charges Dayton was convicted
and sentenced to serve fifteen years III
the penitentlary Having been given
the benefit OF the copper act. he was
released after serving about nine years
and thefeupon disappeared, although
wanted for stage robbery In Arizona.
Dayton has turned up IN Bingham
as Wallace Mcneil, head tlmDerman
of the Highland Boy mine. Little
would have been thought OF MS former
career. however, because he was NOV
ing in the best Of Bingham society, had
he not branched out in another line OF
sensationalsm. He Is complainant
against VIM. j. Burdette In an accusa-
tlon of arson, alleged to have been COM
mltted in Bingham on March 26, 1898.
McNiell, accompanied by Mrs Burdette'
appeared before the county attorney
and preferred the charge preparatory
TO instiuting proceedings for divorce
between Mr.. and Mrs Burdette. The
couple were married on July 3, 1871, the
bride being but IL years OF age ana the
groom SO. The county attorney deemed
the evidence insufficient TO cause Bur
dette's arrest and now an effort Is be-
ing made to keep Burdeite and Nc
Nell separate TO prevent trouble OF
very serious nature.
Speaking Of Dayton. or MclSiell, who
served his term as Edward *. Fisher
Mr.. Arthur Pratt said today. Fisher
WAS about AZ hard q gu az l nave
ever seen. When RrssssttlsHt Cgden |
took away from him bank coin sack
containing several giant powder caps
and he attempted to kick the bag
against the office desk In order to ex-
Mode them He was absolutely reck-
less and cared nothing about being
blown 10 pieces II he could only have
had the officers with him at the time
The officers were at that time bOklng
for their man down in the Robbers
Roost country, and two men were
brought up from there whom the dis
tlct attorney was about to indict for
robbery. but when Sheriff Belnap and
myself accompanied by Ney, went
down to Courthouse springs and un-
earthed some OF the plumber and the
masks used by the men there was a
change OF opinion as to the guilty par
ties. A short time after the robbery
Fisher and Ney came up on the tram
and rode in a seat Immediately behind
Deputy Marshal Boman Cannon, who
had been at Th0mpson's In an endeaV-
or 70 locate them. There were many
officers out after the DandltS because OF
the rewards offered for their capture the
railroad company Offering $1,000 and
the government $1,000 Mr.. Bancroft.
who was then connected with the Rio
Grande Western, promptly sent check
for 81 900. but the governments $1,000
never appeared because the conviction
OF Fisher was not had in a United
States court.
81 now have Winchester rifle and
small satchel which were given me
by the men, and when | first received
the latter from a clump Of willows near
the Oregon Short Line bridge AT Og-
den It contained several sticks Of giant
powder, two revolvers and two belts OF
cartridges. At the time he robbed that
train Fisher was but q years old,
making him now 49, He Is certainly a
desperate man. and capable Of some
HIGH nranks"