American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-02-25

The following story Of the holding
up of a train at American Falls IL
1883 by cowboys, Is taken from Sun
days Statesman. While II is a good
story II does not give the inside facts
In the case, as will be disclosed when
Judge Oliver and S. G. Winters re-
lease their memory chambers concern
ing the event. Mr.. Winter was pull
man conductor on tina. train aid Judge
Oliver knows OF the arrangements
made to step the train and how and
why II was done:
The story OF the famous music-lov-
ing cowboys trial at MaIad I'm the
early sos and the causes which led
up TO It are told IN Il highly enter
tanning story written by Edward Hell
frich OF Mountainhcmc at the request
Of the editor OF the pioneer depart
ment.
"Jt was late In the summer OF 1883
when the Oregon Short line railroad
reached the towns Of Mountainhome,
Caldwell and Welser, al that time
Nampa and Parma were not in ex-
istence and to reach Boise Il was
necessary TO take the stage from Kuna
a ride Of 16 miles.
"The railroad had been bailt into
Shoshone early In the spring Of the
same year. and tie branch line TO
HALEY, n few months later. and in or
der to get the several towns named,
started, several officials OF the Union
Pacific railroad interested themselves
In the townsites with ex-senator Cald-
we'll, of Kansas and Robert Il. Stra-
horn as the general manager, they
commenced by having the resources OF
this new territory well advertised
through the states tributary to the
Missouri river and soon there was no.
ticed the healthy growth of all the
towns, and the settling OF the choicer
farm lands.
mn. Strahorn was quite enthusiasts
tic owe the future prospects OF the
town OF Caldwell. He made this place
his home, and gave all his energy to-
wards the pushing OF all the towns
forward as fast AZ the resources tri-
butary would respond TO invite new
settlers 10 make the Snake and Boise
river country their future homes.
ut was arranged by the Oregon
Short Line to have an excursion from
Salt Lake and Oregon when the rails
reached Caldwell, aud with Mr.. Stra-
horn In charge OF all the details nee
essary for II the day arrived. leaving
Salt Lake In the morning with a train
well equipped In those days for It's
guests. some rs persons aboard. At
Ogden the towns best brass band was
engaged to accompany the train on
h trip and enliven the many towns
which was passed In Utah and Idaho.
Al each station the band would get on
the platform at the depot and render
several selections. Much praise was
given by the people who CHANGED TO be
present to those In charge and judg-
Ing from the crowds that were present
In every town II was certain that news
was sent by wire ahead OF the trains
arrival.
I'VE arrived In Pocatello one hour
behind the schedule fixed but the days
doings kept the passengers active and
much Interested and everyone ready
for a good dinner at the eating station,
AZ the dining nj had not been heard
OF In the west In those days.
Starting from Pocatello we added
several to the number, among them
was Robert Bli~ckensderfer, superln-
tendent OF the Idaho division, we made
a good run to American Falls. arriving
at 1880 .. IN. There a large crowd had
assembled TO give welcome to the train
particularly the band for hardly had
the train stopped when the call for
music was heard, MIR. Biickensderfer
said no stop OF any time could be given
and the band hesitated to get off the
cars; he ave orders to start but the
engineer declined to 20 ms the red light
lantern had been placed ON him for
orders It soon became known that
the crowd there were cowboys and
their wives. and sweethearts, and had
come a long distance TO hear the band
play, They took the telegraph opera
tor from his chair and made him n
prisoner for a time. consequently we
remained and the band got off the
cars, and music was given the crowd.
After two or three pieces the cowboys
would shoot the corks out OF the beer
bottles aud give a full one to each
member playing with a volley of shots
from their pistols as a salute In return
for the music rendered.