The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1878-02-20
Startling Statements by One OF
the Notorious Reno Family
How He Was Pardoned from
the Missouri Penitent tinry,

How He Was Pardoned from
the Missouri Penitentiary.
ST. LOUIS, February l9.-John Reno,
the expreas robber, left here to-day IN
charge OF detectives for Brownstown
Ind, where he Ia TO be tried for robbing
Adams Express CompAnyis car on the
Ohio & Mississippi railroad Of $4,000
on the 10Th OF October, 1886. He was re-
leased from the Missouri penitentisry
Yesterday on writ OF habeas' corpus
having served ten years for the robbery
OF the Dayiess county treasury. The
prisoner is one Of the famous Reno gang,
half dozen members OF which were hung
near Seymour. Ind.
ST.. LOUIS, February iS.-John Reno,
en- route from Jefferson City 10 Seymour,
Ind TO stand = trial for the alleged rob
berry OF an express car on the o. 4 NJ.
R. R., in 1866, Of $4,000, tells q most
interesting story Of his experience in pro.
curing Communication OF his sentence 10
tha Missouri Penitentiary, from which
institution he has Just been released, only
to fall into the clutches OF an Indiana
Sheriff. Reno was sent TO the peniten,
tiary from an interior county 10 1868 for
twenty five years for robbing the County
Treasury Of $4,000. His story goes that
a short time before the expiration oi
Governor B. Graiz Browns term, in 1872,
a certain prominent State Senator came
to see him, and inquired what he would
"put up" to secure u pardon. Reno an.
swered that he would give $1,000 in
money and an accepted order on St.
Louis house for $1,000 worth OF jewelry.
The Senator could not agree 10 this,
but said he wonld get Communication to
ten years for the consideration named.
This was aSsented to. Reno's money was
in the hands Of the Warden, as he sup.
posed. When the Senator returned with
the commutation duly executed, il was
found that the convict's money had been
appropriated by the Warden, one Doher.
/ ", Republican politician, who after.
wards exhibited much zeal at Washing
ton in aid OF McKees application for
pardon on account OF the Whisky Ring
transactions. Doherty was q bankrupt,
and Renos money was mon est" 70 the
Communication was carried of, and the
Il ConVlCt Whh ltlt " peat stuuo ~ tue yatu
OF the penitentiary.
The honorable Senator, however, had
secured the order for the jewelry when
he first visited the convict. made
use OF 1t, and Reno to-day says wears the
watch which he purchased, apong other
things. with the order.
10 January last the term TO which the
Communication limited Reno's imprison-
ment expired, but the document ordering
his release could not be produced. Il
was held by man named Cox, In st. Jo-
Reph, who had acted as the go-between
for the honorable Senator and the con-
vict in their negotiations, and who wanted
s., 900 for II.
Reno's council began proceedings 10
prove the existence OF the document to
aecure the prisoner. release. but finally
Cox came down to $3.50, and Renos peo-
pie in Indiana bonght the Communication
a second time, and Reno was released.
He says he does not fear the Indiana in
dictment. ~
It does not appear that The connection
OF Governor Brown with the commuta-
tion was in any wise improper.