American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-02-25
How Music Loving Idaho Cowboys
Held Up the u. S. Mail at American Falls

Our superintendent was much put
out over the delay in starting but could
not help himself and the boys said they
did not think It was right TO try to
pass by American Falls with no music
while all the other towns on the road
had been honored. They had heard Of
this early in the forenoon and rode
many miles to tell others to get on
their horses and be at the station that
evening and see the great train with a
brass band.
ION the trip were four ladies', Mrs.
II. Il Strahorn, Mrs. W. n. Shilling,
Miss Clara Helfrich Of Ogden and her
friend, Mrs. Mary Manning, Of Grass
Valley. Cal. They were in the Pull
man (this being the first Pullman to
enter CALDWELL, the real car Of the
train, and while this excitement was
rather strong for their nerves they
were given assurances no harm would
result from II.
"The excursionists enjoyed the first
hours delay there, but as time nearing
the midnight hour was coming, we
thought possibly It was the plan Of
these fellows TO take music and all
over TO the dance hall and keep US out
all night. We pleaded TO release the
operator that ne may get I'm touch with
the train dispatcher In Pocatello for
orders. They yielded at last and the
train orders came at IL o'clock. Pass
ing the station our train was saluted
by volley after volley of shots. The
ladies In the Pullman had the doors
locked, all the curtains drawn, and
they were sitting on the car floor, not
going to take any chances OF stray bull
lets coming in.
THE band boys Of Shoshone knew
this train had the Ogden band and had
arranged for a big dance and supper in
their honor expecting we would arrive
not later than II o'clock. They we're
advised after our train got away from
American Falls that II could not arrive
until 2 n m. They did not mince words
as to what would happen to the COW
boys II they had them there, for this
delay, but they kept their dance going
until our train arrived. Forming the
band In the lead we marched (the la
dies were In bed not knowing of this
little event In the early hours of the
morning) to the dance hall and had a
royal time until five o'clock a. m. OF
course the crowd was about worn out
from the days program.
Leaving Shoshone at nearly six
o'clock and several hours behind the
schedule, all the speed the engineer
dared to make was given. Our only
stop was In Mountainhome; here all
kind OF JUNIORS Of what happened at
American Falls were In circulation,
but the band played n few pieces 10
those who had turned out 30 early In
the morning and were generously
thanked for the music given.
I'VE arrived in Caldwell about IL
o'clock and quite hungry. had had no
breakfast, but the generous welcome
extended, made us forget about eating
until the loon hour had come. In
the Afternoon the first sale OF the town
lots we're held and spirited bidding
was done by those present. A large
crowd had come from all the surround
ing country for miles, giving the new
town a city look. The entire day was
one OF variety doings and greatly en-
joyed by all the visitors.
About one month later the cowboys
were arrested by United States Mar
shall. Fred T. Dubois for stopping the
United States mail train ut American
Falls. About ten of them we're taken
over to Malad for II hearing before the
United States commissioner. After two
days of taking evidence, they were
bound over to the United States dis
triot court for trial, The writer was
invited to be n witness for the govern
ment, but my explanation of how I
excused, AS ] could not say the cow
boys intended any harm. Early the
next spring the trial was held at Malad
and the entire week was taken In the
case, so many witnesses for the de-
Tense and ended In all parties arrested
being discharged.
Again II was my privilege to be on
the train coming from Ogden to Sho-
shone the day that the cowboys, their
wives and sweethearts returned from
the Malad trial 10 Arimo station, to
get on the train for American Falls.
Hardly had they been seated when the
newsboy announced that he had sew
eral copies OF the New York police
Gazette giving a full account and pic