The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-28
OUT TO WRECK
THE NOR. PAC.
Dynamite 0utrages Along the Mon
tana Division Result of
M Big Plot.
Perpetrators Demanded $4,000 of
Company on Pain Of Heavy
Losses.
Company Planned Capture, but It
Failed and Wrecking
Began.
(For earlier particulars, see page ~

The dynamite outrages which have
been perpetrated on the Northern Pacific
in Montana in the past six weeks are q
part Of carefully laid plot to extort
$4,000 from the company in the form Of
a ransom. The company has been on the
track of the perpetrators of the bold plan
and at one time capture was expected.
In the meantime the bandits are caus-
ing the company no end Of trouble by
taking revenge on steel bridges, locomo-
Itiyes and anything else which can be
wrecked.
About Aug. Is officials Of the Northern
Pacific received letters from different
points in Montana demanding the pay
nent Of $4,000 ransom on pain of hav-
ing the road in Montana wrecked. These
letters say that the Northern Pacific
had injured the persons signing and that
$685. 900 was only a small portion Of the
sum which they should receive. The
company was directed to place the money
on a light engine and deliver it at a
certain spot at which red light would
be displayed.
Two mon were to be allowed on the
engine which was to run from Living
ston to Butte at an average rate Of
speed of thirty miles an hour, and If any
suspicious movements were noted no
light would be displayed and the men
would retaliate.
The company was allowed fifteen days
to think it over and If the demand was
granted the company was to signify the
same by tying pieces Of white canvas to
the buffers Of every passenger train
leaving st. Paul and running to Spokane
on Aug. q.
Officials Consider Matter.
The officials took the full time to con-
slider the proposition. but before the date
arrived the bandits suddenly changed
their, plans and set date week ahead,
Sept. 4.
AS an indication that they meant bust
ness, the bandits early In the game blew
up a section of a new steel bridge at
Livingston. -s
The company comm enced preparations
for their capture. fully recognizing the
dangerous character of the men and TAX
ing no chances for the safety Of it's trains
Track patrols were established and bridges
guarded, for it was known that several
hundred pounds of dynamite had been
stolen from powderhouses along the line
in Montana. III
The plans made were somewhat spec
tacular, and this undoubtedly prevented
the capture Of the men.
a Steam Shooter.
An engine was first sent to the
pany shops and fitted with number of
steam cocks so that quantities Of steam
could be discharged at any time and thus
surround the engine in cloud. 1t is sup
posed that the peculiar work done on the
engine first aroused the suspicious of the
bandits who undoubtedly had spies every
where. The tender Of the engine was
altered so that four men could lie fiat un-
der the coal. A second engine and ca
boose was also fitted out. Ten men
armed with rifles were placed on this car,
with bloodhounds.
Plan Has No Result.
This train was to follow the light en-
CINE carrying the bogus money package.
The plan was carried into effect, but with
out results. The light engine made the
In the second train, but during the run
shown.
Another Bridge Blown Up.
Nothing more was heard for a week
or ten days and the officials of the COM
pany commenced to think that probably
the affair was ended But suddenly an
other bridge was blown up, and then an
engine. and finally other letters received
in more ugly tone and raising the money
demand from $4,000 to $4,000. They
promised the company that if the sum
named was paid at once that they need
not fear for their tracks or bridges, but
If not then the Northern Pacific would
be blown to HE'LL
Great damage has been done to property
at Bozeman. Livingston. Sampson Siding,
Butte and Blossburg and the company has
spent great deal of money for patrolling
the track and in other ways.