The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1902-10-31
A DARING TRAIN ROBBERY
OCCURRED ON NORTHERN PACI-
FIG IN MONTANA.
Engineer O'Nei1l Was Shot to Death
in a Struggle With Robber That One
Man Ordered Trainmen Around-He
Rified the Mai1-Blew up the Express
Car-Made His Escape-Big Reward.

murders IN the history OF Une Northern
Pacific railroad occurred at a lone spot
known as 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 a host in
himself when he killed one, cooped up
a 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 300 feet west of Bearmouth
where a 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 abb
domen and killed when he grappled
with the desperate, who had covered
him with two revolvers.
Reports are conflicting as to the num-
Der 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
packages amounted to but 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.
The train had left Bearmouth, anC
as the fireman turned to gather a SCOOP
of coal, he was startled to hear a yell
and turning around, found a MAJ
standing on the coal, pointing two bis
revolvers at his head.
"Throw up your hands," shouted
the man, elevating his voice to over
come the roar of the train. "Throv
, them up and obey my orders and yoI
, won't get hurt. The man slid dow
the coal onto the engine deck ant
: forced the fireman against the left sea
| of thee alb. He covered engieer O'Neil
J with one revolver and ordered him +
2 throw up his hands.
"You mind what 1 say" said he t
, the engineer. eff you don't I'll bloV
: your head off.
q The robber turned to the fireman an
o commanded: 1.-THE first thing you dc
! go out and put out that head light, an
! be quick about it, and mind you com
back here.
,. The fireman lost no time in obeyin
the order, and was returning into tn
cab when he heard a shot fired an
peered in just in time to see the eng
8 neer falling backwards from the gang
4 way to the ground alongside the Ell
+ CINE. just before ne shot ne heard .
Neill say: "Well, If you've got to d
II yOu do VIGIL w IL lICIC dS all
place else. "
Just then steam was shut off and tn
9 brakes applied, and the train came to
. stop in the Mulkey canyon.
The engineer, it seems stepped frol
r his seat, and in doing so overturne
3 his lantern, which was set below hin
> Immediately he grappled with tt
e rOhher and tried to OVerDOVer him
The man released himself and, pla,
n ing the big revolver almost against IL
l. engineers abdomen, fired. O'Nei
h gave a groan and fell to the ground OF
It side.
l. The fireman was frightened an
jumped from the running board to Il
ground and hid himself until what 70
lowed was over.
n The robber went from the enigne
2 the express car, and at that instal
a the passengers began poking their hea,
ID out of the car windows.
IT Immediately followed fusillade
n shots, which speedily sent the frighte
at ed passengers back into the coaches.
id The robber pounded on the door
4. the express car and demanded that
" be opened. The two men inside open,
the door to find themselves facing tv
big guns. Both were ordered out
the car and marched back to the engin
IT where they were ordered to get in al
RS start the engine. Both claimed
n know nothing about starting up and L
@. robber tried himself to start it, b
% failed The two men were forced ba,