The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23
THE GADSHILL DESPERADOES.


OF the Death of Detective
Whicher-The James Boys Thought TO
Have Murdered Him - The Younger
Brothers Discovered by Detectives--A
Fight at Close Quarters-A Citizen
Killed and n Detective Wounded-One
of the YOungers Killed.
from the ST. Louis Giobe]
Ever since the bold robbery Of the train on the
Iron Mountain Railroad, at Gadshr, on January
81 measures for the discovery OF the perpe traitors
have been foot. The Post once officials,
Adams Express Company and the Iron Mountain
Railroad nnaly placed the matter in the hands OF
Allan Pinxerton, the well known detective OF Chi
cago. 1t was at last concluded that the five men
concerned in the robbery were the famous James
and Younger brothers, the former living IN Clay
county and the latter IN St. Clair county, in this
State.
These men travelled down into Arkansas giving
out that they were bound for New Mexico, and
then
DOUBLED ON THEIR TRACKS
and sought their homes; the James boys gong
one way and cautiously working up to their home,
while the three Youngers sought their home by
another path. The pursuit was thus divided into
two parts. and the tracking of the James boys by
detective resulted in his death at their hands last
week. This detective was named Joseph W.
Whicher, and he arrived IN Liberty on Tuesday,
March 10. There he sought banker named Ad-
klns, with whom he deposited some money, as he
had more with MIN than it was prudent to carry on
such an errand. lie told Adkins OF his errand, and
he ADVISED him not to undertake It, as the boys
would be sure to kill him. Whlcher, however, was
fearless and persistent In going. Adkins then rec
commended him to talk vita the sheriff, who uld
direct MN where he wished to CO. The Sheriff also
advised Whcher not to go on his intended errand.
He told him that the boys were
BAD CROWD,
and were away from hOme but that the Old woman
W ASO
the boys, Tor she would shoot as soon as man.
Whicher obtained a description of the boys and
Gus errand. He lett Liberty on the afternoon OF
the 10Th on the Hannibal and st. Joseph Railroad.
the train and struck OF across the country Tor the
James boys place.
Is from John Brickey, the ferrVman at Blue Mills
crossing on the Missouri River. He says he was
called up Tuesday night by some men on the north
side OF the river who wanted to cross. His assist
ant on that side had been aroused, but could not
row the boat alone. He asked who they were
and what they wanted, saying that he could not
Terry at night They replied that they were Jim
Baxter the Deputy Sheriff, and his posse, and that
they had arrested horse thief in Clay county and
county. They said that unless he came over and
took them across they would cut his boat loose
and send IT. down stream; Rather than lose ms ms
river. and ierrled the men across. When he got to
the Clay county side he found that the men were
not Baxter the Deputy Sheriff. anu his party, and
began scoldlng, when they replied, "You have got
this id horse thief to thank for all this" The
1" O FOUR MEN ON HORSEBACK,
two OF them riding bay horses, one on sorrel
horse and the fourth man on gray The fourth
his legs and passing under the horses belly, and
had his arms tied behind him at the elbows; his
a Oh W u IKE one U
horse. Brickey says that the prisoner took things
very coolly, and stamped his feet as II to warm
them by restoring circulation. Not q word was
said all the way across the river. The ferryman
saw that all the men except the prisoner had the
their hats slouched down over their faces When
the south side Of the river was reached one OF the
asked what the fare as PAID II the
back to the house the clock struck three.
on "Wednesday morning man going to Liberty
with o load OF wood FOUND
wHICHER.s DEAD BODY
lying at the meeting Of toe Lexington, Liberty
the temple, through the neck and in the shoulder.
A fourth shot, evidently fired by man on horse
back, passed between his legs and was found in
through the head was held so close as to Durn the
handkerchief with which his hat was tied on
while his neck was also badly burned from the
close discharge of pistol Coroner Hindie, OF In
dependence, was notified, and held an inquest, the
jury returning . verdict OF death from gunshot
wounds at the hands OF persons unknown"
Soon alter three O'Clock Wednesday morning Mr..
Bolts, living about a quarter OF a mile from where
the body was found. heard three or tour Shots and
soon after heard hoi ses gaoping by. At four
O'Clock . man owning brewery near Independ-
ence, on mis- way TO his work. saw man ride By
on bay horse leading gray horse. An omnibus
driver going to an early train at Independence
saw the same man. The same person was seen
crossing the Dridge az Kansas City, gong back to
Clay county, at SIX O'Clock.
Whicher's body was buried at Independence on
the 18th, and reached this city last evening en-.
route for Chicago In charge Of Mr.. l.. L. Angei OF
that city.
THE MURDERED DETECTIVE
was twenty-six years old. His parents live at
Des MONIES, Iowa, and his young wile, to whom
ne was recently married, lives in Iowa City. He
was WAS Inn mate Of
Ia the fruit trade. A few years ago he fell from
the masthead and broke one OF his ankles, since
which time he has abandoned the sea. Whicher
was i've teet eleven inches high, well built, blue
eyes, lalr complexion, smooth face, with the ex-
Geptlon Of light and was fine look
aud discreet, and, though he had only been q de-
tective about three years, was considered first
courage Is testified by his conduct on the occasion
which led to MS death. The report, which had OBJ
tanned some considerable circulation, that he
talked good deal about his errand ana poasted OF
what he would do, con tradicted by his well known
discretion and by the testimony OF those with
whom be conversed at Liberty on his errand. They
unite in declaring tnat he was extremely quiet and
very careful aud said nothing to convey any idea
OF his purpose to any persons unnecessarily. He
was brave man, and died IN the courageous per-
Torrance OF dangerous duty. Great sympathy
was expressed TOR him In Clay county, and as the
citizens there talked with his friend, Mr.. Angel,
concerning him, they even wept.
There is no doubt IN the minds OF the people in
clay county tnaJ
WHICHER WAS MURDERED
by the James boys. Between Kearney Station and
the James place the settlers are all respectable
people. 1t Is known that the James boys were at
home on that Tuesday night-the first time they
have been at home Tor year, except ior day or
two after the Iowa train robbery. TN Thursday
night the 18th, the James boys rode into Kearney
and threatened four persons, saying to them, 'f
you don't stop your Cd id talking about this
murder and connecting our names with it, we VIII
blow your id head off, Last sunday night
Sheriff Patten learned that they were at home, and
set out with another man to find them. When he
got to Kearney he heard that SIX men had been
seen at the house the day before He then got
four more men, in hopes, as he said that as their
numbers were equal they would come out and
fight They reached the house and searched all
over the place. but could find nobody.
These men have established
PERFECT TERRORISM
In their neighbOrhood. Everybody Is afraid OF
them. People will not talk about the murder, or
II they do 1t is only in low tones and in the secu
sion OF back rooms. The James boys have made
hosts OF friends by stealing rom the rich and CIV
ing to the poor, II Is said. They have means OF
ceiving timely notice Of any steps trouble them.
chprtl far ~ hat fhou .tn min