Jacob Neilson
A Yukon Gold dredge near the mouth of Bonanza was blown up with dynamite on February 22, 1912. C.A. Thomas, the resident manager, and Joe Boyle, the manager of the Canadian-Klondyke Mining Co., each received a threatening letter about thirty hours later. These letters were written on a typewriter found to be of a type recently purchased by Jacob Neilson. Neilson volunteered his services to Thomas as a detective and, after consulting with Superintendent Moodie of the NWMP, Thomas engaged him. Neilson was watched and then arrested on 20 March for dynamiting the dredge. On 25 July the jury brought in a verdict of guilty with a recommendation for mercy. Justice Macaulay sentenced Neilson to twenty years hard labour. During August, Neilson started to act strangely and on 3 September was declared insane by Acting Assistant Surgeon J.O. Lachapelle. In September, Neilson was escorted to the Kingston penitentiary.1)