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The Gentleman Bandit of the North: A Bill Miner Story

 

Bill Miner after his arrest
Bill Miner - Prison photo - Library and Archives Canada. (2019, September 16)

The Gentleman Bandit Arrives in Canada

The rugged landscape of British Columbia in the early 1900s was a land of opportunity, not just for pioneers and prospectors, but for a man with a particular set of skills and a long history with the law. Enter Ezra Allen Miner, better known as Bill Miner, an American outlaw seeking a fresh start and new ventures. Approaching his sixties, with decades of experience in stagecoach and train robberies in the U.S., Miner crossed into Canada looking like any other mild-mannered man named George Edwards. But his quiet demeanor masked the cunning mind of a master criminal.

Miner, known as the "Gentleman Bandit" for his polite nature and his supposed invention of the phrase "Hands up!", was a relic of the Old West. After serving over thirty years in San Quentin, he found the world had changed. The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), a powerful symbol of Canadian progress, became his new focus. To Miner, it was the perfect target.

Canada's First Train Robbery: The Mission Heist

In the late summer of 1904, Bill Miner and his gang, including Jake "Cowboy" Terry and "Shorty" Dunn, planned their first Canadian operation with meticulous care. On the evening of September 10th, near Mission Junction, British Columbia, they successfully stopped the CPR's Transcontinental Express.

True to Miner's reputation, the robbery was executed with surprising courtesy. The gang calmly uncoupled the express car and made off with an estimated $7,000 in gold and currency, a significant haul at the time. They vanished into the Canadian wilderness, leaving the train crew unharmed and cementing Bill Miner's legendary status in Canadian history.

The Notorious Ducks Robbery and Capture

For two years, Miner lived peacefully as George Edwards, a respected figure in the Princeton area. However, the allure of another big score was too strong to resist. In May 1906, Miner and his crew targeted another CPR train, this time near Ducks, east of Kamloops.

This second Canadian train robbery did not go as planned. In what became a famously bungled heist, they targeted the wrong car and escaped with only $15 and a bottle of liver pills. This comical error led to a massive manhunt, the largest in British Columbia history. The legendary "Grey Fox," as Miner was also known, was finally cornered near Douglas Lake. After a brief standoff, the aging outlaw surrendered.

From Criminal to Folk Hero: The Trial of Bill Miner

The trial of Bill Miner in Kamloops was a media sensation. Instead of being vilified, Miner's polite manners and the fact that his crimes targeted the unpopular CPR made him a folk hero in the eyes of many Canadians. Crowds gathered to cheer for the "Gentleman Bandit," admiring his audacity and charm.

Despite his newfound popularity, Miner was convicted and sentenced to 25 years in the provincial penitentiary in New Westminster. It seemed the long and storied career of the Gentleman Bandit had finally come to an end.

The Mysterious Escape of the Gentleman Bandit

Bill Miner's story in Canada, however, had one more dramatic chapter. In August 1907, just over a year into his sentence, Miner executed a daring escape from a prison work crew. He and several other inmates seemingly vanished without a trace, much to the embarrassment of the authorities and the delight of the public.

Bill Miner was never seen again in Canada. He slipped back into the United States, leaving behind a legend that continues to be a fascinating part of Canadian history. His time in British Columbia, marked by both daring success and comical failure, cemented his place as one of North America's most intriguing outlaws.

Bill Miner wanted poster
credit - Library and Archives Canada. (2019, September 16)


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