The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-09-19
THE IOWA TRAIN-ROBBEas.
Wonderful Marksmanship OF Their
Leader---Their Bank Raids and Is
capes--A MurderOus Gang.

I " OnueFAuA nAEANAuhnsaAD OA AncLE
Leader---Their Bank Raids and Is
capes---A MurderOus Gang.
Since the return of the Lafayette
County Tigilants to this city, after
their unsuccessful chase into South
western Missouri, in pursuit Of the
lows train-robbers, many rumors
nave been aflost in regard to the
whereabouts of the latter. Certain
parties in this city are said to be cog
nizant of the movements of the des-
peradoes, and when all arrangements
are perfected q bold dash will be
made for their arrest. Much dissat-
isfaction is expressed at the manner
in which the Youngers and James
boys eluded the Vigilants st johnson
City, snd it is the general opinion
hist some one has blundered.
The leader of the Vigilants is
man OF iron nerve and undenlsble
pluck, but lacks the requisite head
work necessary to the capture Of this
c atty and experienced lot Of bush
whackers as the Iowa thieves un-
doubtedly are. The criminal record
OF the gang dates ss far back as 1861,
and although they have done nothing
but murder and pillsge since that time
not single member Of the band has
been taken, from which it will be seen
that extraordinary efforts will have
10 be used to bring them to justice.
Before the desired end can be attain
ed, some strategic leader, versed in
every phase Of guerrilla warfare, will
have TO be placed at the head OF a
well>srmed and equipped bsnd OF
men, everv one OF whom must be Ell
dowed with the best fighting qualities
and, above all, patience, perseverance
and pluck.
The neighborhood in which the
robbers are liable to secrete them
selves is as difficult Of access as the
lava beds of California. The despe.
radOes know every inch Of the ground,
every cave, and every stream. Your
correspondent succeeded to-day in
CLEANING few facts in regard to the
personal history OF the robbers from
persons who from necessity and not
from choice, had become acquainted
with them at oTe time or another
Undoubtedly the most noted despera-
do in all Missouri, and the man most
to be feared, is Arthur p. Mccoy. He
Is about So years of age, q giant in
stature, and as brave as lion. Pre-
vious to the war he followed the occu-
patton of a painter in St. LOUIS, bus,
on the breaking out OF the rebellion
Joined his fortunes with some irregu-
lar command in the Confederate in
terest, and theneeiorWard was known
IS q desperate of the most blood
thirsty type. He became spy and
bushwhacker, but seemed to bear
charmed life, as he was never even
known to wounded. He has had a
hand in every bank robbery of eonse-
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 a stranger to
fear. At GallstiD, in this State, while
being pursued by citizens whom he had
robbed, his wonderful craftsmanship
saved him hempen neck tie. While
his horse was at full speed, Mccoy
shot q citizen in the forehead who was
sixty yards to his right, and turning,
fred over his left shoulder, and put
ball through the brain Of an uniOrtu-
nate Vigilant who was taking aim at
him with shotgun from behind q
tree fully 1I0 PAGES distant. Both
men fell dead in their tracks, His
home is in Howard County. and after
the Iowa adventure he was traced
there and his shanty surrounded by
nine men. Mccoy was watching
the pursuing party from behind log,
and at daylight he made his hiding
place known, covered the leader Of
the expedition with his deadly der
ringer, and made the entire crowd
about face and march by single file
away from the spot. 1t was suppos-
ed 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, James and Frank,
are the clever members OF the "mob,"
and to them is always assigned the
responsibility OF planning the rob-
berles and, from the success that
has always attended their efforts,
there is no doubt but that their talent
in this branch OF the business is akin
to genius. They also do their share
of tie fighting when necessary, are
excellent shots, superb hOrsemen,
and, to use the expression OF my
informant, are as "goOd grit" as ever
drew triggers or handled knives.
During the war the James boys be-
Iopeed to Quantrell's command, aud
since It's close they have done nothing
but rob, making banks and railroad
trains o speciality. They and their
relatives live in Ray county, but the
boys have spent the greatest portion
Of the last few years in Lafayette
county. In addition to the other
robberies, they were connected with
the raid on the Lexington Bank as
far back as 1865. After the attack
on the Cameron Bsnk they retreated
to a. impregnable position in the
Sui Hills, sixteen or eighteen miles
southwest OF Lexington, where they
built themselves cabin, and fortified
it so strongly that, although num-
her of persons knew their wherea-
bouts. and were aware of the large
rewards offered Tor their capture, no
attempts at arrest were made. The
brothers are about 80 years OF age,
light haired and comparatively slim
built. In police parlance, they are
undoubtedly "big guns" and it is
the universal opinion that they have
organized every one of the bank
robberies with which their names are
! in any way connected. or the Young
ers' record but little is known be-
yond the fact that they reside near
Johnson City, in st. Clair county.
They are three in number, and two
of them served with the Jameses
under the command Of Quantrell,
during the war, so that they, too,
received a thorough education IN
guerrilla tactics. They have been
noted desperadOes since they were
big enough TO handle gun, and Ike
the balance of their associates. are
crack shots with either rifle or pistol.
They have been known for years as
actoriously bad men, and were ous-
Iavcd by Gov. Fletcher for refusing
20 surrender and take the requisite
oath NJ the close of the war. Since
thu time they have been accused OF
several murders, and numerous ROD
berries have been attributed 70 tnen'
hut like their companions, the
Yo1ngsrg, have invariably been sue
cessful.v in eluding the officers OF the
Iav T. will be seen from the sooVe
h'a,orv Of tbs men that every enort 70
r.ntpre them will be fraugn1 WIN
.rp -rsctest danger, and none put
80 - thoroughly acquainted win
.,,o'o .ho conntrv should be detailed 70 81
the :. The rewards at present
ogereI for their arrest are no' ,.rg"
onongb 10 tempt eompetens men'