Connecticut western news., 1873-09-26
The Western Train Robbers.

A correspondent gives an account of the antecedents of the robbers of the Western railroad trains, saying: The criminal record of the gang dates back as far as 1861, and although they have done little but murder and pillage, no one of them has ever been taken. Un- doubtedly, the desperate most to be feared is Arthur P. Mccoy. He is about thirty-fve years of age, 8 giant in statue, and as brave as 8 lion. He followed the occupation of 8 painter in St. Louis, but on the breaking out of the rebellion, joined his fortunes with some irregular command, and thence
 forward was known as 8 desperate of the most bloodthirsty type. He became spy and bushwhacker, but was never known to be wounded. He. has had a hand in every bank robbery of conse- quence that has occurred in Missouri, and has also worked in Kentucky and other Southern States. Mccoy has earned the reputation of being the deadliest pistol shot in America on horseback, and is 8 stranger to fear. At Gallatin, Mo-, while being pursued by some citizens whom he had robbed, his wonderful marksmanship saved him hempen necktie. While his horse was at full speed, Mccoy shot citizen in the forehead who was sixty yards to his right, and, turning, fired over his left shoulder and put ball through the brain of an unfortunate Vigilante who was taking aim at him with shotgun from behind tree fully no paces dis tant. Both men fell dead in their tracks. HIS home is in Howard Coun- ty, and after the Iowa adventure he was traced there, and his shanty surrounded by nine men. Mccoy was watching the pursuing party from behind 8 log, and at daylight he made his hiding place known, covered the leader of the ex- petition with his deadly Derringer, and made the entire crowd about face and march by single file away from the spot. It was supposed that he would join the balance of the gang at the home of the Youngers, in St. Clair County, but the surmise was incorrect, as although he may have been in the vicinity, no traces were found of him. The James boys, Jesse and Frank, are the clever mem bers of the mob, and to them is always assigned the responsibility of planning the robberies. They also do their share of the fighting when necessary, are ex' cellent shots, superb horsemen, and tc use the expression of my informant
 are as 'good grit as ever drew triggers or handled knives. During the war the James boys belonged to Quantrell's command, and since it's close they have done nothing but rob, making banks and railroad trains specially. They and their relatives live in Ray County
 but the boys have spent the greater | of 1oot fnyxy fo
 cite County. In addition to the other robberies, they were connected with the rad on the Lexington Bank as far back as 1865. After the attack on the Cam
 eron Bank, they retreated to an impreg
 nable position in the Sni Hills, sixtee1 or eighteen miles southwest of Lexing
 ton, where they built themselves { cabin, and fortified it so strongly, tha
 although 8 number of persons knev their whereabouts, and were aware o4 the large reward offered for their cap
 ture, no attempts at arrest were made
 The brothers are about thirty-two years of age, light haired, and comparatively slim built. Of the Yourgers' record but little is known, beyond the fac
 that they reside near Johnson City, il St. Clair County. They are three il numDef, ana two or them served W1Gl the Jameses under the command O
 Quantrell, during the war, so that they too, received thorough education il guerrilla tactics. They have been noted desperadoes since they were big enougl to handle gun, and, like the balance !, of their associates, are crack shots witl either rife or pistol. They have beer known for years as notoriously bad men } and were outlawed by Gov. Fletche
 for refusing to surrender and take tn , requisite oath at the close of the war Since that time they have been accused of several murders, and numerous rob berries have been attributed to them"