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NEWS & PUBLICITYRocky Mountain International Roundup • History Channel Visits • Montana Film Office • Writer's WeekendJuly 4 parade winner • Denny Dutton • Stephens Hotel Makeover • Great Train Robbery July 4 Parade Prize Winner
The OBHA float took home the first prize in the commercial division for a Locally Built Float. Thanks to everyone! The Great Train Robbery The inaugural run of the Copper King Express Tourist Train, carrying Montana's Governor, US Senator, and numerous other dignitaries was interrupted by renegades from Butte before the train was fairly out of the Anaconda area. With the Anaconda Stack in the background, at least four armed and dangerous robbers, well known to local law enforcement as the Byrnes-Dutton Gang, held the passengers at gunpoint and threatened them (the pretty ones, at least) with kidnapping if they did not surrender their valuables.
Such attacks have become all too common on the Anaconda-to-Butte run, since it is well known that the train is frequented by wealthy associates of local copper kings. The President of the railway vowed to track the culprits down, even if it takes all summer. There are rumors that the rail line plans to hire Joe LaFors, the noted lawman who tracked down Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid on behalf of Mr. E. H. Harriman of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Despite the ever-present threat of such nefarious activities, compliments of Old Butte Historical Adventures, the Copper King Express plans runs every Friday and Saturday through the summer, and many trips are already sold out. Some say that thrill-seekers, drawn by the mere possibility of a train robbery, are among the patrons. Stephens Hotel Gets A Makeover
The Stephens Hotel, one of Old Butte Historical Adventures' primary museums, received a new coat of paint in May 2006, thanks to the financial support of the Butte CPR, Butte-Silver Bow Urban Revitalization Agency, and Mainstreet Uptown Butte. Most of the painting was done by Denny Dutton and Norm DeNeal.
 This effort really dresses up one of Butte's most prominent uptown corners, and one of Uptown Butte's most significant historical buildings. The complex tin-work cornice and turret, dating to 1891, were all painted, including the copper top of the turret; window frames that had been practically bare of paint for decades are now a deep forest green. The stone sills between and below the windows, made from local Butte granite, have also been renovated, and boarded up windows now contain new panes of glass. Montana Standard article You can see the exterior renovations any time, but to experience the interior and hear the story of Miss Willie Lindell, take our West Walking Tour. Rocky Mountain International Roundup March 30-31, 2006 saw about 100 members of Rocky Mountain International, a 4-state regional association of tour managers, hoteliers, and others in the hospitality business assemble in Butte for their convention. Guests at the meeting included about 30 travel professionals from France, Germany, the U.K., Netherlands, and elsewhere - many of them visiting Butte for the first time.
This was a great opportunity to showcase Butte for the people who direct tourists to our area, and will likely bear fruit with increased visitation later this summer.
History Channel Visits
In addition to footage of the Rookwood Speakeasy in Butte, the film includes an interview with Mike Byrnes, partner in Old Butte Historical Adventures. Go to the Rookwood Speakeasy page
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Early reports indicate that the bandits made off with at least $2.17 in change, but one train worker managed to relieve the thief known as Long-Haired Eric of his pocketknife, during a struggle. Besides the ringleaders, Yellowjacket Byrnes and Denny "The Rifle" Dutton, Long-Haired Eric and Duster were among the known gang members in on the raid. 
Old Butte Historical Adventures showed them a grand time, with private tours of the 
In June 2005 Old Butte Historical Adventures was visited by a film crew from the History Channel. They were shooting for a film that aired beginning in October 2005 called 
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