Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-10-21
CATCH ONE
DYNAMITER
Isaac GraveIle Believed to be One Of
the Ring Leaders Chased Down
by Officers.
PRISONER is AN Ex-coNvIcT
Released From the Penitentiary Last
JuIy-Makes an Attempt to Con-
eeaI His Identity.

Helena, Oct. 1S.-Isaac Graville,
believed by Superintendent Daniel
Boyle and Chief of Detective McFet-
ridge to be the ringleader of the gang
of criminals who have been dynamit-
ing the Northern Pacific tracks, is
locked up in the county Jail, having
been delivered there this evening by
Captain Keown and the Northern Pa
cifc people. Gravelle is an ex.con-
vict who was released from the peni-
tentiary in July. AS a result Of his
capture the men who have been work
ing on the dynamite cases were to-
night feeling in better spirits than
they have for weeks.
The story of the arrest of Gravelle
is an interesting one. Saturday even
ing Superintendent Boyle had reason
TO believe that an attempt would be
made to dynamite the track west of
Helena. He prepared for the con-
tingency by putting every watchman
on his mettle and Increasing the
force. Between and s o'clock as
the watchman on a section near
Blossberg was patrolling his beat he
came across a man digging under one
of the rails. On the approach of the
watchman the man ran and the
watchman fired twice at him but with
out effect. In a minute or two the
watchman heard the hoof beats of a
horse, but ii was so dark he could not
see anything.
This occurrence was Immediately re-
ported to Superintendent Doyle, Cap
tain Keown. Frank Latta and Bert
Reynolds, all of Bozeman, who had
been out in the hills and along the
line of the road west of Helena since
last Monday were at Blossberg and
Mr.. Boyle asked them to take the
trail at daylight of the wan who dug
the hole at Blossberg. Just as soon
as it was light enough to see Capt.
Keown and Latta Reynolds went to
the scene of the attempted dynamite
outrage. They found the man had
dug a hole under the rail about a
foot deep. Lying beside the hole was
a long spike, with the end barbed on
both sides. Beside the track were
the tracks of a horse. A careful ex.
animation showed the horse was I'M
shod and that the two front hoofs
were almost square on the end. In
addition to the horse tracks were the
impress of boot, with the one worn
on the right foot turned in. The trail
was followed to q railroad corduroy
bridge, where the man had tied his
horse.
Satisfied they had the trail a start
was made over the hills. Hour after
hour the trail was followed. Some.
times it would be lost for mile or
SO and then 1t would be picked, the
peculiar mark left by the unshod
horse being surely followed. At one
point the man had dismounted and
walked and there was the impress OF
the boot Just as it was at the bridge
and the track. Finally the trail led
to Priests pass. There II was fol-
lowed more easily.
Shortly after noon the hunters saw
a cabin. Latta rode on a little emil
nence, and called out: There is our
man."
At the same instant that Latta saw
Gravelle the latter saw the hunter.
He jumped on his horse, which was
saddled, and made a break to get
away. Keown and Latta. seeing he
was trying to get away, made circle
to head him off. and the man was
run into a ravine. The man was arm
ed with a rife, revolver and knife.
On the front of his saddle was his
rifle. Just as he reached for 1t keown
commanded. Hands up"
Have you warrant?' asked Ora
velle.
For reply Keown slipped a cart
ridge in the magazine of his rifle,
while Latta made motion as though
TO draw his revolver. Seeing 1t was
no time to hesitate Gravelle threw up
his hands.
He wanted to know what he was
wanted for and then he was asked his
name. He said II was J. A. Plum
mer and that he owned ranch near
Helena and lived here.
After Gravelle had been disarmed
an examination was made OF MS
horses. A black horse. completely
tagged out, proved to be the animal
the men had been tracking. II was
unshod and the tell-tale front hoofs
were identical with the tracks which
the men had been following for hours.
There were three other horses In addi-
ton close by the cabin.
Gravelle would not talk about him.
self or his doings Of the day but an
examination of horse that was sad
died showed that it was ready Tor
a long trip. Gravelle had evidently
reached the cabin about two hours
before Keown. He had eaten some
thing. shaved and then he had pro-
ceeded to pack his clothing, some eat
ables and bedding on new horse
having evidently determined to make
a change in his camp. He was just
about ready to start with pack ami
NAL when the posse arrived.
Gravelle was put on a fresh horse
and with his belongings was brought
10 town. arriving here about 1880
o'clock
On the way in he would not talk
about himself. He was asked If he
had ever been at Townsend, and at
first said he had been. but afterward
he denied It. One thing he persisted
in and that was he was not Gravelle'