Rough & Messy Justice: A Train Heist, Murder & Misdeeds

by W. Keith Regular

Rough & Messy Justice vividly portrays Alberta's Crowsnest Pass of 1920, a rugged Rocky Mountain region shaped by its mining economy and diverse culture. An armed CPR train robbery spirals into a deadly shootout at the Bellevue Café, where police clash with Russian outlaws fresh from Montana’s mines. A surviving bandit escapes, triggering a relentless manhunt. When captured, his trial becomes a spectacle marred by overt racism in the press, law enforcement cover-ups, and a judge and jury riddled with bias. With a weak defence lawyer, unreliable witnesses, and critical legal missteps, the proceedings lead to a tragic execution. This gripping true crime account exposes systemic corruption, racial prejudice, and the fatal flaws in Canada’s early justice system. By confronting these injustices, Rough & Messy Justice challenges assumptions about fairness and equality under the law, offering an exploration of historical crime and consequence.

PLEASE When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Lorelei · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a lot of fun as someone who lives close to and knows the Crowsnest Pass and Southern Alberta well. It's the same Wild West hijinx stories on a loop but fascinating nonetheless.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting look at criminals in Alberta in the 1920s. I enjoyed learning a bit about mining, prohibition, racism and xenophobia during this time, in these familiar locations.