Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-03-12
Tho War on DesporadOss in Missouri.

WARREYBURG, Mo-, March g. - The
grand high priest of desperadoes, Bill
Stevens, has met his just dues, and it is
reported, was killed this morning at day
light, by some horsemen who had sur
rounded him aud called on him to ex'
plain certain threats made while in town
the day after the hanging Of Sanders.
This man Stevens has been the terror OF
the county and State, he being the head
| of all villainy and crime, and woe was it
TO any person who dare thwart him in
his views. One of his sons was killed
at political meeting last fall-a chip OF
of the same block. Another Of his sons,
n well known horse and cattle thief, who
has by his acts made himself liable to ar
rest, and by his daring has always es-
capped, has several times been shot at by
the sheriff and his posse, but, Dick Tur.
pin like, escaped. This son is blamed
for being connected with the gang that
murdered Mr.. Switzer, and was waited
upon, but succeeded in escaping along
with his pal, Morg. Andrews, across the
river
Polk Adams and John Starkey, both
members of the same gang, were waited
upon by the committee, at the house OF
Adams father, on Friday night, but they
succeeded in escaping by running the
gauntlet through two hundred horsemen,
who were armed to the teeth, and had
surrounded the house. Adams is re-
ported wounded in the arm, and both he
and Starkey are now in Kansas or Ne
braska, hid away among their friends.
All these men are well known to every
person who has owned a good horse or
OK for the past two years. So the work
goes bravely on, and ere the leaves come
out by the warmth of Mays sun, John
son and Western Missouri will be as safe
place for the peaceable immigrant as
any sf the Eastern States. A strong
effort is being made by these vagabonds
to cry out rebels and rebel persecution,
but this game is played out, and the
committee are legion, and are known to
be from all parties, having only one issue
nvolved-eternal determination to all
murderers, thieves and desperadoes.
ST. JOSEPH, March 5.-A band of des.
peradoes, under the notorious bush
whackers Jim White and Bill Chiles,
attempted to rob the bank in Savannah,
Andr1w county, on Saturday afternoon.
There we're six of their number in this
bold attempt 1t robbery. They rode into
the centre of the town about two o'clock
in the afternoon, dismounted not far
from the bank building, and leaving
their horses in the charge of one Of their
party, proceeded directly to the bank.
Four of them entered at the front, while
one took position by the window as
sentinel. Judge McLain and his son
were in the bank The robbers presented
their revolvers and demanded the money
on hand.
Judge McLain, comprehending the
situation, snatched revolver from
drawer and fired upon but missed them
They, then fred upon him across the
counter, one shot taking effect in the
side of the Judge, and, glancing around
rib, came out at the back. The firing
attracted attention and crowd com
mencing to assemble, the robbers re-
treated, taking no money, and hastily
mou nting their horses rode out of town
as speedily as possible. A party started
in pursuit, and overtaking them, several
shots were exchanged, but the pursuing
party was not sufficiently armed to take
them Before reinforcements could be
had they made good their escape.
Information from Judge McLain to-day |
is favorable. The wound is very ugly |
and painful, but external White and |
Edmonson were recognized, and the !
general impression is, that they were of
the same band who robbed the Liberty |
bank last summer, and who are robbing
and numbering in the counties along the
river, from Lexington to the Iowa line.