Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1902-10-29
A DARING TRAIN ROBBERY
OCCURRED ON NORTHERN PACI.
FIG IN MONTANA.
Engineer O'Neill Was Shot to Death
In a Struggle With Robber That One
Man Ordered Trainmen Around-He
Rified the Mail-Biew up the Ex press
Car-Made His Escape-Big Reward.

Butte, Mont. Oct. 26.-One Of the
most daring train robberies and brutal
murders in the history Of the Northern
Pacific railroad occurred at a lone spot
known rs Mulkey canyon, three and
half miles west Drummond, Mont.
Engineer O'Neill was shot to death,
in struggle with the ruffian. So far
as known, but one man was engaged in
the attempt to rifle the express safe.
That one man seemed to be host in
himself when he killed one, cooped up
whole train crew and an entire trian
load Of passenger, and kept three men
at work obeying orders.
Single handed the desperate captured
two cars, the express messenger, the
electrician of the train and the postal
clerk and went about his task Of rifling
the mails and attempting to blow up
the safe in the express car with as
much GOODNESS and nerve as if engaged
in entertaining company.
1t is believed that the robber boarded
the train at the water tank, which is
about 800 feet west of Bearmouth
where stop was made for water.
Just after the train passed through
Bearmouth station, where no stop is
made, the fireman started to put in fire.
Engineer O'Neill was shot in the alb
domen and killed when he grappled
with the desperado, who had covered
him with two revolvers.
Reports are conflicting as to the num-
ber of men engaged in the robbery.
The fireman, mail clerk and express
messenger say they saw but one man,
who did all the work and all the shoot
ing. The conductor and passengers in
sist there were two men at least en-
gagged in the robbery.
| The robber or robbers made little by
the desperate deed. The charge of dyn-
amite failed to open the safe in the ex-
press car and the postal authorities
state that the contents Of the registered
pack kages amounted to but a small sum.
Had the train going the other way
been selected for the holdup it is be-
lieved it would have been rich in booty,
as that train is accustomed to carry
much of value.
as the fireman turned to gather scoop
of coal, ne was startled to hear yell,
and turning around, found man
standing on the coal, pointing two big
revolvers at his head.
Throw up your hands," shouted
the man, elevating his voice to over
come the roar of the train. "Throw
/ tl,.,,, aud pbay INV orIarc apl unt,
won't get hurt. The man slid down
the coal onto the engine deck and
forced the fireman against the left seat
of thee alb. He covered engieer O'Neill
with one revolver and ordered him TO
throw up his hands.
"You mind what say" said he to
the engineer. "If you don't III blow
your head off,"
The robber turned to the fireman and
com manded: 1.-The first thing you do,
go out and put out that head light, and
be quick about it, and mind you come
back here"
| The fireman lost no time in Obeying
the order, and was returning into the
cab when he heard shot fired and
peered in just in time to see the engi-
neer falling backwards from the gang
way to the ground alongside the en-
gine. Just before he shot he heard o.
Neill say: "Well, If you We got to do
it YOU might as well do it here as any
place else."
Just then steam was shut off and the
brakes applied. and the train came to a
stop in the Mulkey canyon.
The engineer, it seems stepped from
his seat, and in doing 80 overturned
his lantern, which was set below him.
| Immediately he grappled with the
robber and tried to oyerpower him.
The man released himself and, plac-
ing the big revolver almost against the
engineers abdomen, fired. O'Neill
gave a groan and fell to the ground ont
side.
The fireman was frightened and
ipmned from the running board TO the
ground and hid himself until what fol.
lowed was over.
The robber went from the enigne to
the express car, and at that instant
the passengers began poking their heads
out of the car windows.
Immediately followed a fusillade of
shots. which speedily sent the frighten-
ed passengers back into the coaches.
The robber pounded on the door of
1