, 1872-11-05
BANDlTT[ IN ILLINOIS.

BANDlTTI IN ILLINOIS.
A Gang of Cnttle-Thieves in the Rock
Eiyer Valley-Their Or5aEs1asfons
History, and Dispersion.
From, tue Rockford [IN) Journal, Oct. 2.
For some time past rumors have been 1lle
concerning mysterious band of Unknown men
who were engaged in plundering the farmers ~
this section Of country Of grain, horses, anu u,
chiefly cattle. Occasionally some one would pe
arrested for one or the other Of these offences,
but would ALWAYS be released, friends Of the
criminal promptly coming forward 10 prove na
dkbi.
Within the last few months theft has followed
theft throughout this county, and the adjoining
one of Boone. Enraged by repeaIeal re l, iosses, aaa
boring counties laid the fow facts known to them
before our skilful Sheriff, Major Flynn, and his
able assistant, AIr. Nash. These gentlemen went
quietly to work, following up the slender clue
afforded them, and alter neariy non.n Rassent
branch of q powerfully organized bandlttl,
whose VARIOUS societies and gangs, ell under the
leadership Of some unknown head, extend, 1t is
believed. from here to Omaha. Hearing Of
A1essrs, FIylu and Nash's eminent SUCCESS, our
reporter called on these gentlemen last Wednes~
ilaY, and from them elected the following start
Tho organization Of the band Of thieves who
have infested this and Boone Counties, was ef-
fected something over o year ago. Their first
theft Of which We have any knowledge was the
stealing Of 6 large quantity Of rye from tie farm
of Mr.. Proctor, near Cherry Valley. Other thefts
followed in quick succession, and these finally
eliminated in the arrest Of one Of the gang for
Mackey, of Cherry Valley, bnt by the help Of his
confedarates proved an dli1i, and was conse-
quently released. Soon after, Burdett Patten
was indicted Tor theft, but before the trial
could take place, the principal witnesses, either
ntdatsd by threats OF beng 1H ontn themselves 9hs
making it impossible to convict the ,pris-
eues:ss enss h'?szee n dsfHg t9s aSa tSe prne
pal members OF the band, r. G. Ladd,,
Oliver Beckington, Mark Beckington, Albert
Rowley, Brown, and many Of the lesser lights
met at the house Of R. G. Ladd, 8 rich farmer,
living near New Milford, to consult in regard to
their future line of proceedings. After some
what excited discussion, it was resolved, almost
unanimously, that the 1nembers Of the gang
should, in the future, attend to cattle stealing,
as being the most lucratlye and safe form OF
The frst exploit which they are known to have
committed was that OF running off seven head
of young cattle, the property of John McAvoy, y
were taken to Boone County, and there sold fot
SIS; $40 in cash and s65 note.
Some days after this, Brown, Rowley, Ladd,
and one OF Ladd's SONS, stole from. the pasture
Of Stiles Wilcox Twenty-Five head of cattle. The
same night (Which was dark and stormy, Brown
and Rowley, provided by Beckington with $500
in money and bottle Of whiBkey, drove the ami
! mails to the farm Of Beckington, situated in the
southeast part OF Boone County. THIS occurred
about the 7th OF September last. Some three
| weeks after, Messrs. Knight and Miller, owners
OF the cattle, missed them from the pasture, and
made diligent search for them, but without
| SUCCESS. Atlast man named Roach, a acattle-nunt-
er by profession, came forward and offered to
tell them where their cattle we're, in considera'
| tion of receiving S75 in money. Ihe oner was
accepted, and they were directed to the farm OF
BecEington, where they found portion Of the
stock, On application, the BecEngtons 1m1ne.
| diately gave up the stock, but claimed to have
| purchased them Of two men who were driving
them toward Sycamore, for S231. Messrs. Knight
| 4, Miller took their cattle home, but being
satisfied that the explanation given them
was much 20 too thin," they placed the whole
affair in the hands OF Major Flynn and Mr,
Nash, who suspected the persons named above
doings. The first move was to arrest A. Row
ley, whom they found hidden in hen
roost on his fathers farm: On being
captured he "wiltel," and offered -, te
give the Sheriff S100 to be let of. This
failing, he volunteered to turn States evidence
in fact to do anything to avoid the necessity
Of going to jail: He WAS brotlght before Justice
Buell., and the Beckingtons brought forward te
identify him. This they would not 90, ana ne
gah at aEss 5sea bail "eaain BscRnFton ToE
Ladd and Ladd's son. Becdng
ton was captured, but Ladd il
| still at large, although tie police are conhden
of his arrest. Another OF the gang-Brown bJ
name-sent word that he would give himself up
| if he might be allowed to turn States evidence
| On consulting the proper authorities, Major
| Flynn saw fit to grant this request, and Browt
| was brought to Rockford. He is now at large
on So, 600 bail, ~
At this point the matter rests at present, ant
if it should go no further, A1essrs Flynn ant
| Nash deserve the thanks OF all persons fo1
| their energy and nerve in breaking up this pow
| erful and well organized gang.
The Rockford Register, in an article on the
same subject, Says that the man who turned
! State's evidence stated that the band Wal
formed in Chicago several years ago, and thai
they pledged themselves to spread over the en-
tire West, making as many accomplices as pos
sible, having their headquarters in Chicago.