Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1845-1851, 1846-02-14

The execution IF tie Longs at Rock Island, W j
be remembe red by readers, for its progress and
catastrophe were remarkable 1t will also lie icInem-
be red that one of the pitts made strong accusations
against a Mr. Eonney. who has been active IN break
ing up tie organized gang of outlaws vA'oh lh'est
the Western States and now wr "Eu lie Las pee"
arrested on scme all, gaiior 81 crime put lie was
promptly released on BAL. This circumstance has
called forth tho following letter, which lie publishes
IN an prnos paper, whose editor says lie las letters
,..ufying 10 Lis good character from many highly
respectable gentlemen; and gives startling state
ment of the extent If crme-and s'ime of the deep
est hue:
SIR = pe~ain me through the columns Of your
panax give the public brief sketch of the Organl
cation and extent OF the gang OF thleyes'and robbers
who have so much ANNOYED the peace and happiness
of thousands, and been successful III evading the
LAW, and tlwartng the ends of Justice. This extern
gang. numbering several hundred Iner>persed
through society," occupying almost all stations III life,
from the pulpit to the broihel, and filling many i'm
portant Official stations They eagued together
BY secret Oaths to protect and defend each other at
the risk of their lives. and IT their uniform CUSTOM
when detected In crime, TO evade punishment by their
well known practice of proving alibi, some
other equally successful perjury and of resortlng 10
the same expedient, to infct punishment and bring
ruin upon any " no may dare to bring justice
any member OF the gang. In order to acquire
knowledge of this gang, and bring to justice such of
their numbers could ferret out have resorted to
schemes and stratagems of most daring and hazard
Gus nature which han enabled me to trace them into
their most secret retreats. So successful have been
nv efforts that since the 18th of May last have
been instrumental In the arrest OF ten OF the most
desperate men IN the gang five of whom have al
ready paid the penalty of their crimes upon the gal
lows. One now under sentence Of death. Three
confined In Rock Island jail awaiting their trial, on
charge of murder. And one Fox escaped from the
custody Of his keepers at Indianapolis.
have also acquired a knowl ledge OF the extent OF
the gang with the names and places of residence of
large number of their principal leaders and station
keepers. This unparalleled success has terror strick
en- them to the very centre. They are aware that
their future safety not consistent with my life and
liberty. consequently every method resorted to for
nv destruction, that the miserable wreches capa
bic of IesortIng to- For the purpose OF accomplishing
their base designs, and securing their future safety.
tney NTH time resorted 10 base and papatle
perjury; in which they have now for the first time
been temporarily successful. l am not, however, IN
the least dlsheartened, disposed TO abandon the
great object have in view, the final overthrow of
this fearful organized bandittl have waged eternal
warfare against the whole Confederate gang, and
nothing but the deadly bullet or the assassins dagger
shall stay my hand, until every member of the gang
is forced TO seek honest employment, be driven
the dungeon the scafold.
am not disposed TO repne at my present embar-
raised situation. Ii is but the fortune of
against formidable band. / anticipated more
than have yet realized. Have not my services al
ready been Of value 20 tie country tan my life
If so am content com. what will.
| ever deem It the duty Of any citizen when emer
repcy REQUIRE It, To- >acr.Ice life, liberty. and Iapp
neoe, for tie promotion OF Tie pubic good. Wher
lie whole country wa. horror stricken by the u,
daring rohberies, and midnight murder, Of thes'
blood stained assassis-wben Il fa.her and his ION
in-law we're intualany butch red IN Lee county Iowa
and the murdesers escaped uudI>cCvered-vien liz
demons fed undlsc. ver'd and unPur d from tia
scene of carnage Rock Island, with their hand
crius ned IN the best Ito If tie State wa
prompted bv of duty To sacrifice, IT necessary
INV oxn life 10 from tie deadly gasp of thos
lell sh fends tie innocent who about To fal
victims 10 the deadly foe well bring lI>tc
the guilty wrccIse, who had committed the horrl
deeds In this lave the sltI-flctiOn IF knowing,
have done nv duty and
Had declined taking any part In ferretng out an
bringing TO lu~tice tl.e-e demons IN ght Law
been in tie quiet pursui; If my nestle a,ocaiion
Of liz. unless perhaps might have lien Ii e ' c.lr
of ihes. daring murderer> + had teen suspected Z
having hundred dollirs my pocket Much NOR
can vet be done 10 break up ard II>trganlze as we
az brinp 20 lust &c the rernairsd Of is .ang WI
not tie public unite I'll the auOritl, N the accom-
plishment of tbs important work. and erety resol
safety to tie per and property Of all :
find notice in the Joucnai Of Jan. LIST. Stain
that came TO hi> city last week without knowlede
of this Indictment. and promptly taken into Gu
tody by the United States Marshal This statement
incorrect. Icame to Springfield with full knowlcde
Of the Indictment and of the the from which
emanated, and requested Gov. Ford TO give me inr
ducton to the Marshal, which he did. | intend
meet the vile wretches In whatever form they IN;
present themselves. and defend myself against the
attacks to the best Of my ability. and if | fall Il
victim Of their revenge, they will be only carryiI
their threats into execution, and than
anticipated before aimed the fatal blow.
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 3d. 1916 E. BONNEY