The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-05-15
THE BR|GANDS OF THE WEST,
j 9 H N i Q N @,
Hi
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

While the active scenes which we have de-
scribed in our recent chapters were in progress
on the banks Of the Upper Mississippi, another
series OF events had developed themselves IN
inner Illinois. which deeply Affected the safety
Of the bandtti, and threatened special danger
TO the leaders whose fortunes we have assumed
the task to trace.
II will be remembered that shortly after the
dissolution o. the Robbers Congress at Wash
ington Grove. in October. 1s44. Long, Fox and
Birch had, with the ASSISTANCE Of Bridge and
Oliver, the owners OF the latter station, COM
mitted burglary On the house OF Mr.. Mul-
ford, al Troy Grove, in Winnebago county, H.,
and that immediately afterwards Fox and
Birch, who were left by Long. entered INTO a
depreciation at Inlet Grove with Jack Baker
the vdette, which depreciation had been de-
vlsed for them by fellow named Dewey. re-
siding near that place. Il will likewise he
reconected by those of our readers who have
forming the man part IN this latter crme imi-
tated the limp and manner Of q poor fellow
named Bliss, who resided in the neighborhood,
and thus succeeded in gratifying feeling OF
revenge against that person, az the same time
that be directed suspicion away from himself
and associates. FINALLY it Will be recollected
that some few weeks after this exploit Bridge
announced to Long and Fox. after their re-
turn 10 Washington Grove. and just previous
TO their visit to the wounded Birch. that Bhes
and Dewey had both been arrested on the In
let robbery. and warned them against the dan
ger which usually springs from the incarcera-
ton OF man like the latter, who though pos
sessed Of spirit for the commission OF crime,
has not the frmness &c endure its penalties
without betraying his sccompices. II turned
out, however, that Dewey. though but tyro,
proved staunch the winter through, and finally
endured convection with the unfortunate Bliss,
a. the spring term OF the Lee County Court,
without breathing word against those who
had profited by HE design. Both he and Bliss
were sentenced TO an Imprisonment Of three
yeap in the state PeDitentisry, each being
treated ss equals in guilt, while IL there was
any distinction, the innocent man was regarded
o. the most henious OF the two.
4
conduct Of Dewey. we're matters o, speculation
and applause among the felon chques OF the
upper country, and the fun a. the lame mans
calamity was about balanced by approval at the
tyros honor. But thls complacency and the
genera felicitation which always succeeds the
passage Of period Of unessiness among ad-
herents Of band so extensive as that OF which
we wrlte, was IN a slight manner disturbed bv
IN event which succeeded Deweys convection.
Though Dewey had been close ss TO who were
the performers OF his sight" number OF
small circumstances which leased out in the
fellow who kept station al inlet Grove, and
who, in connecting With sawyer, o. the same
place. had been JOINT receiver OF Mr.. Null
forde and the peddlef Millers property. A
descent vas consequently made On Vests
premises, and q number o. Mr.. Hulsorde arti-
cles being found, the arrest OF the Receiver
was the resuk West waived any examination
in the matter and vac fally committed to take
HE t,1al Ct the coming term OF court. The
news OF his arrest and that he had been caught
- foul with the property IL HE possession,
had come to the carr OF Long and his two
MAN comrades on the morning after their rob.
berry at Strawn, and it drove them 10 cogita-
tions Of nature which were far from pleasant.
mo sooner DO we remove one danger than
we have another, SAID Long ~ zone OF veIs-
tion and chargrin when we got rid OF the
Dubuque affair 10y the escape OF our men from
~. sosa
When that peril passed away through bis
staunch behavior, West is Jagged and al our
concern comes W fresh on his account. Then
what is worse than oil. the Hodges are 10 lie
hung on the 18th of July. and ss the day OF eI-
ecution approaches, we are continually appre-
hensive that they will suspect us OF remissnees
and blow ne 10 hell. The curse OF our business
70, that our lives are continually in the mouth
Of every clumsy fellow amongs, us who falls
into trouble, and il we don't get hun out
whether or no, ne thinks We have abandoned
him and he turns upon us"
well, I'm not afraid Of West. SAID Birch ;
" he's friend Of mine and q staunch man any
how, and aside from his profess onal obiiga-
tons never viii bow on anything that I'm con-
cemed in
Don't be too sure OF that. sad Fox drily,
" for he may, while in prison, hear Of some OF
your exploits with hs mistress. and that's fatal
70 all other respects you know.
The atmosphere is thickenlng," SAID Long.
and the best course for az 20 pursue is to
work up the few jobs we have in this quarter.
and take a trap eastSard Of the mountains.
What we can do in the meantime for West and
the Hodges, VIC viii do, but we should certain
" be out OF the way before the day Of execu-
ton.
1hls view was @. once agreed 10. and the
three brlgands then separated TO perform what
we have related in the last chapter.
II turned out tina. Longs concern was not
idle, and Fox's calculation was shrewdly ac-
curate in relation 10 the chance OF West se-
lecting Birch, whose worshipper he once had
been, az he bitterest enemy.
West had soon after his Incarceration Welded
to temptation held out to him to become States
evidence, and commenced disclosures against
the entire band. lie accused Fox and John
Baker Of the rohherv NJ TYov Qrov. 81 H.