Miner, Bill

Known as George W. Edwards.  J.G. of S. Born in 1843 in Kentucky and died Sept. 2, 1914 at Milledgeville State Prison. Started career of stage coach robbery at age 19. Served many years in San Quentin prison for robbing the Del Norte stage in Colorado. Released June 1901, continued robberies used the cry ‘Hands Up’, first to do so. Oregon – switched to train holdup outside of Portland.1903- Crossed border to Canada and changed name to George Edwards. Lived in Nicola Valley and Princeton.  1904 – Held up train at Mission Canada’s first train robbery. Fled to Bellingham and held up G.N. Express near Ballard, Wash. Well known in Princeton companion was William ‘Shorty’ Dunn. Also friends with Louis Colquhoun. May 8, 1906 – Robbed CPR train at Ducks got small amount money. Sentenced to life imprisonment at New Westminster Pen. Escaped and went to States. Robbed a train at White Sulphur, Georgia. Got $60.00. Caught and sentenced 20 years in Milledgeville Prison. Escaped after 7 months. Back to prison shackled with ball and chain. Escaped after 8 months, but was returned and spent a year in prison hospital. Died Sept. 2, 1914. See File ‘Bill Miner’ Play: Ploughman of the Stars, also play put on by Caravan Company in school grounds. Geo. Ryga on file Escaped from New Westminster jail – Sim* October 9, 1907. At a baseball game between the benedicts and the bachelors Bill Miner, our popular ex-townsman officiated as referee and gave satisfaction. Bill Miner was appointed stake holder and got away with the stakes.(?)