The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-07-17
THE BR|GANDS OF THE WEST,
j 9 H N L Q N q,
The
WOLF OF THE PRAIRIES.

portant arrest Of Fox, as narrated in our last
chapter took place. Thus far, Bonney hsd
succeeded beyond his most sanguine hopes
A penod OF only eleven days had elapsed since
he had started from It. Louis in pursuit OF
the murderers Of Col. Davenport, without any
definite clue to find them; and yet, during this
period OF time he had penetrated into the
most secret retreats Of the Brigands OF the
West, and had shared their hospitalities and
dangerous confidence, al the risk of his life;
had discovered through this risk, the trail OF
Fox. Long and Birch, and had followed the
trail up with such energy that Fox was already
in his grasp. Hope now gave TO Bonney an III
stallment OF satisfaction and encouragement,
by whispering confidently to him that this sue
cess'ul beginning of the working out Of his
plot, in the arrest of Fox, was but the sure pre-
lude to the desired climax OF his success-the
arrest OF Long and Birch. 1t was, therefore,
with renewed energy, although almost worn
out with the fatigue and excitement of the last
few days. that he bent himself TO the work
still before him to be accomplished, and paused
not moment to carry out his further plans.
lie accordingly made arrangements for the
conveyance of Fox to the iall at Indianapolis.
4 carriage was procured Fox, heavily lroned,
was placed within, under charge of Johnson.
and Mr.. Pease, the sheriff of Wayne County.
who were directed to drive through to Indian
apolis in the shortest possible time, in order
to prevent any trouble or hndrances from any
immediate proceedings which the friends of
Fox might see fit to adopt in order to aid his
escape. Bonney then went around to all the
editors of the papers at Centreville and Rich
mond, and requested them not to publish the
arrest Of Fox, with which request they readily
night of the Sth OF September. Bonney left
Centrevllle by stage for Columbus, Ohio, on
his way TO Berkshire, in j laware county,
where he expected to find John Long, the
Wolf of the Pralries. and his companion, Bob
Birch, the Dandy Captain. Leaving Bonney
on bis route to Berkshire In Delaware county,
we will transfer the scene to that place. in an
ticipation OF the events previous to his arnvai
IN that town.
IL was the latter part of august and soon
after the time when John Long and Bob
Birch departed, as we have before narrated,
from the den of thieves in Owen county on the
eve of the descent upon that place by the Of
fcers from Bowling Green. The little town Of
Berkshire, in Delaware county, Ohio, was en-
veloped in the blackness of a night which had
descended upon it in the fury OF tempest
that had been gathering during all the after
noon and which, with it's thunder its lightning
and its torrents OF rain, was now playing
fearful chorus Of the elements, around and
over the few and scattered dwellings,. Terrible
howe yer, as the storm was without, there was
within one dwelling in the village, party who
needed it not, and made no pause in the oaths
OF profanity, and the propositions OF villainy,
which came from their lips, even at the mo-
ment when the lightning flashed across their
aud the peals of thunder shook the
very foundations OF the building. This party
was composed of John Long. Bob Birch. and
Norton Is. Royce. The place where they were
assembled was private and the best apart
ment of the tavern at Berkshire, kept by man
named Van Sickle, and which was the only
public house in the place. This Van Sickle
was connected with the great gang OF the
''Brigands OF the West" and was informed OF
many although (from a natural want OF discre-
ilon on his part, which rendered it dangerous
TO trust him too far at once, mot OF all the cur
rent secrets Of the band. His house was the
rendezvous OF all the ''boys" in this quarter,
and here Long and Birch now came from the
len of thieves in Owen county, to meet Nor
ton b. Royce, in reference to the "sight"
which he had got up for them to ''raise," in
The neighborhood. The trio we're seated
around table on which were some glasses, a /
bottle OF whiskey. and the remains OF what ap-
peared to have been bountiful supper, Van
sickle had Just left the apartment, and Royce, |
leaning back in his chair, exclaimed
'Why the ID Long, did you not come the
lst OF August. as you promised? We
nave missed two OF the best sights that ] /
,ver got My old aunt who lived about here,
ately sold her property for twenty-five hun
lred dollars, received the amount in gold, left
,n the 10th of August, went to the west, and
paid the money for new home. That's one
,hance gone. Then there was merchant one
nile north of this place, who had eighteen
hundred dollars in his trunk, and with which he
started, about the middle Of August, for New
York, to purchase goods. There's another
'hance gone-four thousand dollars in all and
he sound of that amount of lost gold is still
,lmking on nv ears louder than the thunder OF
his cursed shower"
"Well then" answered Long. put your tin
;ers to your ears, and open your eyes wider for
he gold that's yet to be got; there is no use
rying for split milk. We couldn't get here be
ore and that's enough and the question il.
low, is there another sight ahead:
Yes, that's the question: cbmed in Dandy
iTch, as he gave a twirl TO tne watch chain
nd seal which he had taken from Colonel
Davenport, and which he now wore in full
Jew.
"Yes, answered Royce, "a ID good one
worth at least sixteen hundred dollars.
At this announcement from Royce, Long
nd Birch leaned eagerly across the table and
xed their eyes upon him. As they did 20, the
ountepance OF each wore a mingled look Of
xpectant avarice and demoniac desperation.
hat was heightened in the intensity OF its re-