The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-10-02

to run to exceed ~ miles an nOuFy \
and no more than four men were
to be on the locomotive. The engine
was to run west to Missoula, by way
of Helena, and when red light was
displayed at any point between Liv-
ingston and Missoula, the engine was
to stop and one man to leave it and
deposit the money, in sack, under
the lantern. Two of the four men
specified were to have charge of the
money and the other two we're to be
the engineer and fireman. Notice
was given that any suspicious circum
stances in connection with the delivs
cry of the money would simply necesd
state another trip, as the men maxi
ing the demand would not appeaEl
II the money were paid solemn PRONE
Use was made that the company would
not be further molested.
This letter was not dated, but borA
the mark of the Butte postoffice
The third letter gave directions for
the insertion in the Anaconda Stand
ard of an advertisement announcing
a special rate on account OF the
Washington state fair. That no mis-
take might be made, the blackmailers
considerably furnished the copy" Of
the advertisement.
Letter No. was addressed to Mr.!
Hannaford and denounced his COM
pany for charging higher rate tor
freight to Montana points than is ex-
acted for freight to Manila, and de-
clared him and all associated with
him to be robbers and thieves. No.
5 expressed regret that the senders
could not have been on hand to give
the signal of the red light and ex-
tended the date of payment to Sep
tember g. The same directions as
were contained in the first letter
were given in this and notice was
given that it was useless to watch
bridges, as it s'cut no ice" with them
how much bridges were guarded.
Letter No. 6, also addressed to the
second vice president, notified him
that the writer's of it would stand
for no more monkey work." saying
they had waited two hours over time
| and would do so no more. Unless
the money was paid some of the
L %ro; IN, hn
you do not come to the scratch this
time we will double the ransom on
the 18th of September" continued
| the letter. "Take off the white rags
and put on red one in place OF it, .
was the next line. Instead of start
ing the money from Livingston, as
before ordered, in this letter it was
directed that the start be made from
Butte, the engine to go via Garrison
and Helena. Only three men were
allowed this time, one for guarding
| the money and the other two for
| for running the engine.
All of the letters were in triplicate
and none bore any signature.
Time Expires Sunday.
The seventh and last letter received
by Mr.. Hannaford is as follows:
"Butte Mont.
"Sept. IT, 4
"To the board of Directors.
"Dear Sir. AS you fail to pay the
ransom We now double the Ransom
which is $4,000. all the trouble we
have to go through you people will
pay for it we mean business we will
1 do as stated in the first letters. We
4 will notify the people that they take
I. their own life in hands to .ravel over
your road. if you people had paid
the ransom you would never have
been bothered by us. If you people
make out your mind to pay this ran
som place the same cignal as before
if you are willing to pay this ran
scom on October A leave Butte Mon
on October at 6 PM with ligh
engine, not more than 8 men. go by
the way of Helena mont at rate o.
35 miles on hour you will see rec
light along side the track. put The
ransom along side the light and keel
gone west. The money to be az
follows $4,000 in gold, $4,000 in five
dollar bills, $4,000 in $40 bills, SIS,
900 in $50 bills, and $4,000 in s5'
bills. we want all old bills. If this il
not paid on Octpber 4, we will rais'
the ransom again. this letter to b
returned with the ransom.
yours
(nn SIGNATURE \