The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-10-02
LAST DAY OF GRACE is DRAW.
ING NIGH.
GIVEN UNTIL NEXT SUNDAY
Unless Northern Pacific Complies with
Dynamiters' Demand Hostilities j
Will Be Undertaken.

From the company.s headquarters
at St. Paul comes official confirmation
Of the reports in circulation here for
a number Of weeks that blackmail-
ers have made demand for $4,000
from the company on penalty of hav-
ing it's trains wrecked and it's bridges
destroyed by dynamite. A statement
to that effect has been given to the
press by General Manager Cooper. He
declared, however, that the company
had no intention of yielding to the
demand and will continue it's efforts
to apprehend the fellows making the
threats. At present a total OF $4,000
is offered in the shape Of rewards
for their capture OF this amount
the state of Montana is offering $5,-
600, the railroad s2,5OO and Park coun-
ty $500
That some of the trainmen are TAX
ing the threats of the dynamiters Sc
riously is evidenced by the fact that
many of them are now carrying arms
on their runs. The crew of one of the
passenger trains that left here yes
terday for the west 4carried shotguns
and Winchester rifles, which were
slowed in places where they could be
easily had in case occasion for their
use should arise.
Besides arming the trainmen. the
company is also maintaining a sys-
tenn Of patrols and about every mile
of track between Billings and Missou=
la is under the watch of man arm
ed with rifle and revolver. In addi-
tion to the patrols extra watchmen
are guarding bridges, and every other
precaution possible is exercised to
prevent the mscreants from carrying
out their notice of damage to proper
ty and endangering the lives of pas
sengers.
They Write Letters.
Unless compliance with the de-
mands of the dynamiters is made next
Sunday should see something doing,
for that is the last day of grace given
the company At least so it is stated
| in the last letter sent to the board
or directors.
While it has been known at this
end that threatening letters have
been sent to various officers of the
road, particularly to ]. M. Hanna
ford, second vice. president. Charles
S. Fee, general passenger agent, and
President Mellen, the contents OF
none has been made public here.
4 about. At st. Paul, however, all have
/ been given out and copies have been
/ furnished to the newspapers. Wed.
nesday's ST. Paul Dispatch reprints
i all of the letters, seven in number,
/ and gives a fac-simile of the third
! sent. The reproduction is from a
| Photographic copy of the original.
The first letter is dated July II
| and makes a demand for $4,000
Fifteen days from the date of the
letter are given the company to think
over the matter and give notice OF
it's willingness to pay the money
If it is decided to make payment the
| letter directs that piece Of white
cloth shall be displayed from the
drawhead of the last coach OF eacf
passenger train between st. Paul and
Spokane. After the sigaal has beer
4 displayed d1'ect'cns will be sent as tt
whete the ransom shall be left.
The signal was carried, the mana
gers of the company having planned
to catch the fellows.
/ A second letter acknowledged cog
nizance of the signal and compll
mented the directors on their prompt
ness. Directions were given in thl
as to the denominations and kind Q
money wanted Five thousand dol
lars was to be in gold, equally divide'
in SIS, $40 and 500 pieces;s $1,000 il
SIS bills; $4,000 in $40 bills; $500 il
$40 bills and $4,000 in $50 bills. I
was specifically stipulated that non
. of the currency was to be in new bill
. or to be marked in any manner.
The money was to be taken fro1
Livingston at o'clock of the evenin