The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1902-10-24

the order and was returning into the cab
when he heard shot fired and pcered
in just in time to see the engineer falling
backwards out of the gangway to the
ground alongside Of the engine.
Just before the shot, he had heard
ONeill say, well if you've got to do it,
you might as well do it here as any place."
Just then steam was shut off and the
brakes applied and the train came to a
stop in the Muley Canyon.
Engineer O'Neil it seems stepped from
his seat and in doing so overturned his
lantern which was set below him. I'M
mediately he grappled with the robber and
tried to overpower him.
The man coolly released himself and
placing the big revolver almost against
the engineers abdomen, fired. O'Neill
gave a groan and fell to the ground out
side.
The fireman was frightened and jumped
from the running board to the ground and
hid himself until what followed was over.
To the train crew afterwards he ex-
planned that he knew the robber would
order him to cut off the engine and run
it away and he kept out Of sight in order
to prevent this.
Fusilade Of Shots.
The robber went from the engine to the
express car and at that instant the passen-
gers began poking their heads out OF the
fusilade OF shots, which speedily sent the
frightened passengers back into the
coaches.
At this stage, it is reported by one of
the passengers, Conductor Jack Quinn
jumped out and opened fire on the robber,
who returned the shots, and Quinn re-
turned to the passenger coach in the be.
lief that there were several men engaged in
holding up the train.
Express Messenger Mckinley and
Electrician Kelly, who had charge Of the
electric plant of the train, were in the
express and baggage car. c. w. Otis was
in the mail car
All three men felt the train stop and
heard the shots fired. They realized at
once what was happening and Immediately
locked all of the doors of both cars Postal
Clerk Otis kept quiet in the mail car, but
could plainly hear everything said.
The robber pounded on the door of the
express car and demanded that it be
opened. When no attention was paid he
threatened to blow it open. This brought
the two men inside to time and they
opened the door to find themselves facing
two big guns
Both men were ordered out of the car
and marched back to the engine where
they were ordered to get in and start the
engine Both claimed to know nothing
about starting up and the robber tried
himself to start, but failed.
Employed Dynamite.
The two men were then forced back Of
the tender and ordered to uncoupe the
engine from the train. The air was cut
off, but they were unable to move the
Miller couplers.
They were ordered back to the express
car, where the robber tried to blow open
the big safe with a light charge of dyna-
mite, This failed and IS sticks of dyna-
mite were placed in the next charge.
The outer door of the safe was blown
open and another charge of IS sticks of
dynamite was used in an attempt to force
the inner doors.
This charge blew the express car to
pieces. The roof was blown off and one
end OF the car was practically demolished.
The conclusion put out the lights in the
mail car at the forward end and the Jar
was felt all through the train. No one
was injured in the explosion, although
both Kelly and Mckinley were forced to
touch off the charges while the robbcr
stood guard
At the third attempt the robber gave up
trying to open the safe and turned his at
tention to the mail car.
Attacked the Mail.
Clerk Otis refused to open the door
until threatened with dynamite. He