Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-26
HORSE rl1nvHs
The West Tennessee Notorious
Characters Arrested-An Exposure
Operations I'm Kentucky--start.
ling Developments.

VI thC past WV Jcotos Va AeshcA si'SS
the close of the war, there has been
band of as despicable villains organized
and differed in West Tennessee and
Southwestern Kentucky for the purpose
Of robbing as ever we're brought together
in the times of Murrell. The Upton
Record of the 23d says:
Some month or two ago, citizen Of
this county, Mr.. j. l.. Ralph, who lives
near Randolph, lost very foe mule; he
i'm mediately suspected that the mule had
been taken by Ben. Stations and the
notorious Tom Clements. These two
men had been for long time operating
in connection with the clan in Upton,
and great many horses and mules have
been taken by them they were frequently
seen 10 the county, but never arrested.
A few weeks ago they disappeared from
the county, and Mr.. Ralph, by circum-
stance, learned that they were in Moscow,
KY, and that his mule had been sold on
the Tennessee river, either in Tennessee
or on the Kentucky line. Two weeks
ago. accompanied by Mr.. Dave Dickey,
Of Randolph, he went to Moscow, or
rather in the neighborhood of the tswn,
and by sending in spies he learned that
the headquarters of the whole gang was
at that place. A brother of Ben. Stall
lions kept the hotel, and another brother
of his kept livery stable where stolen
property was received. Mr.. Dickey in
formed the citizens Of the country Of the
character of these fellows, and they i'm
mediately gave him every assistance
in their power to aid him 10 the
arrest Of the horse-thieves. On the
night of Friday, the 9th inst, Mr.. Dickey,
accompanied by some twenty-five men,
surrounded the house 1.-THE hotel) occu-
pied as the headquarters of the gang,
and succeeded in capturing Clements.
Stations, when they arrested Clements,
leaped from window into the middle Of
the street among the men who attempted
his arrest. At least twenty shots were
fred at him, but he escaped, though he
was supposed to be badly wounded, for
when passing house several miles from
town citizen heard him groaning as he
ran, and asked him what was the matter.
He said he was badly wounded. Stall
lions probably reached the home Of come
of the clan, and is now concealed by
them. In the confusion and darkness
the others who were In the hotelescaped.
Clements was taken to Hickman, KY,
and lodged in Jail. On the way he in
formed Mr.. Ralph that his mule was in
the possession of man living near Fort
Donelson. Mr.. Dickey, accompanied by
a young man of Moscow, went to the
house of the man who Clements said had
the mule, and recovered it. He also
found four horses belonging to citizens
living near Union City, Tenn,
The night after clements was placed in
Jail at Hickman, an armed band of forty
men, disguised, went to the Jail and de-
manded Clements. Thejailer being over
powered gave him up, and the makers
took him off and kept him couple Of
hours. Their intention was either to
have hung him or make him divulge the
names and places of habitation Of the
clan. He evidently satisfied them or
they would not have brought him back
alive.
Clements seems to have plenty of
money, for be paid an attorney 10 Hick'
man four hundred dollars to have him
taken out of Jail on writ of habeas cor
piIs, upon which he was released; but Mr..
Ralph swore out another warrant, and
Judge Davis remanded him to Jail for
sixty days to await requisition from the
Governor of Tennessee. The citizens Of
Moscow were very much excited over the
matter, and are doing all in their power
to bring these fellows 10 speedy trial be-
fore the courts the country. Mr.. Dickey
informs US that on the morning after
the arrest of Clements and stampede OF
the other members of the gang from the
hotel in Moscow, nine citizens who had
not been heretofore suspected of affil.
liating with the gang disappeared; among
them were the two brothers of Stations,
the hotel aud livsry-stable keeper. Glenn
ents also gave Mr.. Dckey the names Of
several members of the gang in this
county who have heretofore passed an
suspected OF any such CONNECTION
close watch, however, has been placed
upon their movements, and they will not
escape. Clements also Informed Mr..
Dickey that the gang numbered over two
hundred members, and many of them
would never be suspected as hoFsesthieyes
and counterteiters.
We trust that now q wedge has been
driven in, the whole of these sooundrels
may be brought to speedy trial.
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