Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1942-07-31

acter of most of the men who came
to town, warned Magruder to be on
his guard, as there was large GRIM
inal element both in Lewiston and
Virginia City.
Magruder, thinking there was no
necessity for greater precaution than
usual, started east at the time desig-
mated, in August, 1868. Three desper-
ADDE'S, having watched his going,
gathered together a few more men,
and set out in pursuit of the train.
The latter travelled slowly: not making
over Is miles a day, and the bandits
managed to catch up with it In a
short time.
Needing more help with his animals
while crossing the mountains and un-
suspicious of the three, Magruder was
glad to have them, and their compan-
ions join the party. Everything passed
off well until Virginia City was
reached. Here most of the companions
of the desperadoes left the train for
the Mines or for other work, but the
three remained in the camp, and took
a great interest in the sale of the
goods. Much gold was being taken in,
which they meant to have.
They offered to return to Lewiston
with Magruder, and he, being in need
of and expecting to hire extra men,
gladly engaged them. 1t was then Oc-
tober, time when the snow might
lie deep in the Bitter Root mountains
which they must cross on their home
ward way. Two young men from Mis-
souri,, each having about $4,000, like
wise joined the party, making nine
men in all. A trapper named Page,
who was of the original party, was of
this number.
Watching their opportunity, and
with the connivance of Page, the un-
suspecting Magruder and his compan-
ions, with the exception of the three
murderers and Page, whom they ter
rified into aiding them, were killed
when at safe distance from Virginia
City, and their money taken. Most Of
the mules were driven into canyon
and there slaughtered.
The murderers wished to reach
Portland without again visiting Lew
iston. They planned to go around 1t,
but could not cross the Clearwater
on account of the floating ice. Beachy,
hearing that four disguised men had
come into town at night and left in
the morning, felt confident that Ma
gruder had met with foul play. Be-
lieving this, he decided to follow up
the men and arrest them, as Governor
Wallace had provided him with letters
of requiSition on the governors of
Oregon, Washington and California
for the criminals. He was pursuaded
to wait a few days in order to have
more proof that his friend had been
murdered. A saddle and horse recog-
nized as having belonged to Magruder
having been run across while he tar
ried, Beachy now feeling sure that
his suspicious concerning his friend
were verified, went to Portland, tax
ing with him Tom Pike.
At Portland he learned that the
four sought had been there, and
seemed to have plenty Of money, but
that they had taken the boat for
San Francisco. Beachy sent Pike by
the ocean route, while he himself took
the stage route. He reached San Fran
cisco ahead of Pike, and found the
men for whom he was in search al
ready apprehended by the police, to
whom he had telegraphed from Sac
ramento.
Pike, arriving shortly afterwards,
they together brought the desperadoes
to Lewiston. Page had made a full
confession, and the public feeling
against them was so strong 1t would
have led to their being lynched, had
not Beachy opposed such action, q
he had promised the prisoners they