Express Train Dynamited Near Bearmouth

The June 17, 1904 Philipsburg Mail carried the following article: “The east bound North Coast Limited train was held up last night about two miles east of Bearmouth. The express car was dynamited and the safe blown open and a large amount of money was taken. Posse’s from Missoula, Drummond, Philipsburg and Deer Lodge, with bloodhounds, are in hot pursuit of the robbers who were headed toward Rock Creek, in a southwesterly direction from the scene of the holdup. News of their capture may be received at any moment. The first news of the train robbery was received here by agent G.S. Johnson from the N.P. detective at Billings, requesting him to notify the sheriff that No.2, “North Coast Limited” eastbound, had been held up at a point one and a half miles east of Bearmouth, the express car blown up and a large amount of money taken, and to be on the lookout for suspicious looking characters. Sheriff McDonald and Undersheriff O.F. Featherman left for the hills where they expect to meet the posses in pursuit. Later news received is to the effect that the penitentiary bloodhounds, which were taken to the scene from Deer Lodge by special train had scented the highwaymen to where their horses had been tied, a point about three miles south from the scene of the robbery, and that at this point the dogs have lost the scent. The tracks of the horses were found leading off in a southwesterly direction towards Rock Creek… The holdup occurred at practically the same place where the “North Coast Limited” train was held up on October 24, 1902, and engineer Dan O’Neal was killed. The holdup of two years ago was on the night from Thursday to Friday, same as the one last night, and the same train. No booty was secured at that time on account of the robbers running short of dynamite. The amount secured last night is unknown, but it is reported to be large. It is not known how many robbers participated in the holdup, but there were at least two. 

Conductor C.L. Brickell reports an incident at Flint several evenings ago that looks somewhat as if train robbers had been contemplating a raid on the local branch train. Tuesday night, John H. Miller and Henry Bush, who live at Flint, reported to the train crew that two bad-looking men had been hanging around there during the evening, and they suspected then to be train robbers. Miller and Bush seemed to be pretty much frightened, but the train crew did not take the matter seriously. The train was several hours late that night, but it reached Philipsburg without any attempt at hold-up having been made. Wednesday evening the train was on time and Flint was passed while it was yet daylight. The suspicious men were again seen, this time by the train crew, and they no longer doubted that the men were there for a purpose. About one and a half miles this side of Flint two horses were seen tied in the brush, which no doubt belonged to the men seen near the station. It is believed that they were surveying the situation. Conductor Brickell reported the incident to Supervisor Palmer and the crew received instructions to be on guard. The men seen at Flint are probably the same men who held up the train at Bearmouth last night. It is believed that they are familiar with the country and are in the rugged mountains.” 

On July 29, 1904 the Mail carried the announcement that a press release from Spokane, Washington stated George F. Hammond, “one of the bandits who dynamited a Northern Pacific passenger train on the night of June 16” had made a full confession to Sheriff Doust of Spokane county and to the railroad officials. 

The August 12, 1904 Mail, carried the story that John Christie age 22 was the holdup partner and was arrested at his wife’s parents home in Hope N.D. the prior week and was now in the jail in Philipsburg. He was brought before Judge Connolly on Monday and arraigned on charges of grand larceny and having stolen property in his possession. His bail was fixed at $15,000. Christie “couldn’t stand prosperity” was the reason the detectives that arrested him gave for him getting caught. His trial was to take place in September and his confession collaborated the confession of Hammond. They had taken $65,000 in diamonds, plus money. 

The June 9, 1905 Mail carried the notice that the State of Montana vs George Hammond, Grand Larceny trial was set for June 22 at 9:20 a.m. Research has not revealed the outcome of either trial.