The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-12
Burlington Train Held Up NeaI
Butte, Mont.
Robbers on Horseback Cove
Grew With Their Guns.
UNCOUPLED ENGINES.
Express Car Blown Up by Ex-
plOsiOn Of Dynamite.
Reports Regarding Amount of
Booty Are Conflicting.

Butte Mont, Feb. 12.-The Burlington
express No 6 .eastbound was held up
shortly after midnight on the Northern
Pacific tracks eight miles east of this
city, near Homestead. by two mounted
men. They covered the sides Of the
train with their guns. uncoupled the
engine, mail and express cars and ran
them ahead of the train about two
miles. The operator at High View says
that he heard two explosions and it is
believed the bandits attempted to blow
the safe to pieces. The trainmen of the
passenger train. after the robbers had
left with the engine and cars, hastened
back toward Butte and met an incom-
ing freight train, the engine of which
was uncoupled to run to Butte and the
alarm given. A sheriff's posse and force
of police have left for the scene on a
special train. The railway officials have
asked the penitentiary officials at Deer
Lodge for their blood hounds
Sheriff Quinn and posse when about a
mile and half out of the city were
met by Division Superintendent Boyle,
who was a passenger on the train held
up. Superintendent Boyle rushed TO the
front of the train when it was stopped
by the robbers but refrainsd from
shooting, fearing he would hit the lain-
men. Every officer in the city has been
called to South Butte and all ap-
prOacheS to the city are carefully gCard-
ed. The sheriff is securing the country
and a fight between the officers and rob-
bers is believed to be imminent. The
robbers fred two charges of dynamite.
blowing the safe to pieces and Wrecklng
the express car. The safe, according to
the railway people. contained nothing of
value. Word has been received that a
special train left Deer Lodge at a. m.
with the bloodhounds.
The train was a double header and
the engines with the mail and express
cars were run about 600 feet ahead Of
the rest of the train.
In a few moments after the train was
stopped there were two explosions of
dynamite which wrecked the express
cars The roof was blown off, bur uu
one was injured.
Reports as to the amount Of booty
secured by the robbers vary. The ex-
press messenger says that the robbers
did not get more than $500 Others say
the plunder viii amount to several
thousand dollars. 1t is also said that
several of the mail pouches were rffed.
A railway mail clerk. whose name
cannot be ascertalned, was shot by the
robbers. It is not thought his wound
is dangerous.
When the express messenger realized
that there was hold up he tossed a
package of money that he held in his
hands upon a rack above his head and
this was probably saved. This fact will
not be definitely known. however. till
an opportunity is given for a search of
the wrecked car.
REWARD OF $4,000.
Helena, Mont, Feb. 12.-The Northern
/ Pacific Railway company has offered a
reward of $1,000 for the arrest and con-
/ viction of the men who are said to have
held up the Burlington express just
/ east of Butte this morning. The COM
pany will pay 5000 reward for the en-
tire gang or $1,000 for each member
| convicted.