The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1874-10-07

money q farm on Cook creek, BosUrc
| county, where for Il while his gen
crous manners won the esteem of
his neighbors. Soon, however, ugly
rumors hoated through the neigh
borhood, the stock disappeared in
! that section, and he drew around
linn the worst class of men, and his
! piaco became II rendezvous for horse
thieves, and dcsporndocs from all
sections. In February, 1873, Dick
Cravcy, living sixteen miles from
Meridian, was called from his bed
and murdered. -Four men were
engaged in this cold bloolcd killing,
for robbery alone. 1t has since
been learned, that Jim and Sci
Reed, his brother, wore two of tho
, four murdercrs.
In August Of the same year, these
: two brothers murdered q man
named Wheeler, who had been u
confederate of theirs, but had be-
come alarmed at the attitude as
sumcd toward the Reed gang by
the citizens, and had disclosed some
things, and for this, and to prevent
further disclosures, his life was ta-
ken, and his tongue cut out. For
this they were run from the county
| by posse of citizens. jim Reed
then moved to Scyennc, and bought
property, settling the same OH his
wife. He iloated through the coun-
try, always well mounted some
times in company with the Younger
and James brothers. and other noted
highwaymcn.
Many were the bold and daring
I robbcrics committed in the Indian
Nation and elsewhere in which this
modern Dick Turpin figured, and,
it seemed, like his noted prcdoces-
sor, he was no less renowned in
love than in arms. In February,
1874, he fled with a young girl
named Rosa NlcComus to San An
tonic, joining on his way three of
his pals. These four worthless were
jim d. Reed, Gal. Fl. Carter, Jack
Rogers from Bates County, and j.
X. Dickens Of Vernon county, Mis-
souri,. They rented u house, and
all lived together. in common as one
household, in San Antonio, the men
frequenting, as a loafing place,
Prices saloon, Watching the banks
and waiCl ) fer an opening.
On the first of April, Dickens,
with his wife and Rosa McComus,
came to San Marcus, and on the day
following they were joined by the
other three men, their diabolica]
plans having alr' dy been concoct
ed. On Satu, , the three mer
left town, and on tho Tuesday eve
ming following the San Antonio
stage was robbed two miles east o1
the Blanco in open daylight, and
very near the residences of severa.
farmers. They secured $1,0SO in
money, and watches and jcwelry
belonging to the passengers. a
reward Of $1,000 was offered by the
former Governor for the apprehen
sion Of the two Reeds for the mrr
der of Wheeler, in Roscoe county
The citizens of Vernon county be
ing appriscd recently that the gang
were in the county, turned out il
force and pursued them some dis
tance, until they formed junction
with the James and Younger bro
theirs, when they turned and in
formed tho citizens that they hat
better return home} as they Ghe
outlaws) had no room nor food il
camp for so large crowd, being
themselves on half rations, whicl
kindly advice the citizens, wei
knowing their men, availcd them
solves Of and left the field Th,
dead Reed has mother, sistc1
and brother, Marion Reed, j,
Vernon county. Mo-, who are highl,
respected and worthy people.
| --.---,--.-.--- . <1f>