Bill Miner - 1842-1913
Bill Miner earned the moniker of The Gentleman Bandit, as he was reportedly incredibly polite during his robberies, including apologizing for the inconvenience of being robbed. As a hold-up artist, which is a term for train robber, he is credited with the first use of the phrase Hands Up during a hold up. Bill Miners greatest Canadian exploits include a 1904 train robbery outside Merritt at the age of 60, and a 1905 train robbery outside of Kamloops, BC. He would rob this train again in 1906, anticipating a shipment of gold headed to San Fransisco for earthquake relief; however, the gang robbed the wrong train and earned just $15.50. While escaping from the Kamloops robbery, the gang was pursued by four First Nations trackers - Alex Ignace, Eli La Roux, Michel Le Camp, and Philip Toma - who assisted Constable William Fernie and the Royal Northwest Mounted Police. After five days of tracking, the robbers were apprehended near Douglas Lake. Bill Miner was convicted and sent to New Westminster Penitentiary, where he escaped a few months later, and fled to the US to finish his outlaw career.