The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1902-10-25
Northern Pacific Passenger Ex.
press Robbed Near Drum.
mond, Montana.
ENGINEER SHOT AND KILLED
Neryy R0bber Forces Messengers
to Open Safe, but Secures
Little Booty for All
His Trouble.

BUTTE, Oct. 2I.--One of the most
daring train robberies in the history Of
the Northern Pacific railroad occurred
early this morning three and one-half
miles west Of Drummond, Montana.
AS far as known but one man was en-
gagged In the robbery. That one man
seemed to be host in himself for he
killed one, cooped up the whole train
crew and a trainload OF passe ngers,
and kept three men at work obeying
orders.
Engineer Dan oneill was shot
and killed when he grappled with the
desparado, who had covered him with
two revolvers.
The robber made little by the des-
perate deed. A charge of dynamite
failed to open the safe in the express
car and the postal authorities state
that the amount In the registered
packages was small.
The train had left Bearmouth, and
as the fireman turned to gather a
scoopfull Of coal he was startled to
see a man standing on the coal, point
ing two revolvers at his head.
Throw UP your hands!" shouted the
man. elevating his voice to overcome
the roar of the train. Throw up
your hands and obey my orders and
you wont get hurt"
Then the robber commanded: GO
and put out that headlight. and mind
you come back here"
The fireman lost no time in obeying
the order and was returning to the cab
when he heard shot and peered in
just in time to see Engineer Oneill
falling backward out of the gangway
to the ground.
Just then steam was shut off and the
brakes applied and the train came to
a stop in MuIkey canyon.
Engineer Oneill. it seems. grappled
with the robber and tried to overpower
him. The fireman Jumped to the
ground and hid himself until what fol-
owed was over.
The robber went from the engine to
he express car, and when the passen-
gers began poRing their heads out of
he car windows there followed a fusi-
ade of shots. which speedily sent the
passengers back to the
caches.
The robber pounded on the door of
he express car, threatening to blow it
pen. The two men inside opened the .
oor to find themselves facing two re-
divers. The robber tried to blow
pen the big safe with light charge
( dynamite, This failed, and is
ticks of dynamite were placed in the
ext charge. The outer door of the
afe was blown open and another
harge of 10 sticks was used. This
harge blew the express car to pieces.
Clerk c. w. Otis refused to open the
,ail car door until threatened with
ynanite. Once In the mail car the
,bber went to work on the registered
lail pouches, which he forced the
lail clerk to open. The packages
ere handed to him, and with the ut
lost coolness the fellow took seat
nd opened the first package and then :
nother, using his gun to break them.
urlug all the time he was with the :
'isolers he kept a running talk and
ked with the crew over his poor sue !
IS in getting any valuable plunder. I
e expressed his regrets at having 4
,en forced to kill the engineer, whom 4
/, characterized as foolish for trying /;
resist. The robber declared: 3
IT there is anybody who wants to 4
low who 1 am, tell 'em I'm the fell !;
" who held up the Southern Pacific Z
t at Portland last fall" Z
The robber is described as small II