The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1882-01-25
ROBBERS ROOSI.
Their Rendezvous in Hudson
Township Invaded by
Officers.
And With the Law to Back Them
Bring the Rascals to
Justice.
Appleton Journal.

Appleton journal.
1t seems to us proper that all our
readers should fully understand the
true history of the gang OF thieves,
who have until quite recently resided
in Hudson township, Bates county,
Missouri. About five years ago a
man with family consisting Of 4
wife and child, by the name of A.
r. Moore, moved into Hudson
township and leased 100 acres OF
pralrne land from John D. Myers.
One James Emory lived with this
man Moore and seemed to be who'll
| ly under his influence. and as mat
ter of fact was possessed of but lit
tie sense. These parties worked
we'll for about two years, and they
were free from suspicion. During
the winter of 1850, a stranger
came along the public road on horse
back and stopped with Moore. He
claimed to the neighbors TO be on the
hunt for stolen horses, and had
many cards in his possession, which
he showed around. This man gave
his name as Halt. Moore and him
attended all the dances far and near.
and Halt showed large sums of
money to the girls. Halt remained
with Moore about six weeks, and
when he departed Moore sold off a
considerable portion of his stock and
left with him. His wife and Emory
remained on the farm. These par
ties were gone about two months
and returned apparently full handed:
They were at home short time and
left again, and after an absence OF
some time Moore returned home
alone and appeared very angry with
Halt. In the spring OF 1850, Moore
moved on another farm. He had
become angry with Simon Gllbreath
because he refused to rent hum q
farm. and short time before he
moved from off the Myers farm the
granary, containing grain, fan mill
and other farm implements, and a
new buggy and harness IN a shed
adjoining were all consumed by fire
about two O'Clock in the night time.
These men were mad and under the
influence of liquor that night, and it
was always thought that they did it.
While living on the Myers farm, one
James Hickman, then a young man
and single, came up from Miller
county, Missouri, and lived with
Moore. This man Hickman in
,!uced alfalfa Taylor to run away
and marry him. Hickman purchased
four acres of land due south from
Hudson. about two miles and halt
from there, and there he located.
He was accused of stealing from E.
K. Grid and the other neighbors all
the while he lived there. He was
considered dangerous man. and the
citizens thought they could better
lose little corn and meat and pota-
toes than have a difficulty with him.
The neiehbors resorted to all kinds
of means to buy his farm, but he al
ways refused to sell until after the
stealing from Margaret Bryner and
Judge Robords. On the night OF
the 18th of June, 1851, some one en-
tered the house through an open
window and took $3.50 and watch
and many other articles out OF the
| house. Mrs. Robords awoke and
called to the judge, who was lying
on the floor in an adjoining room,
but the parties made good their es-
cape. The neighbors tracked the
parties next day considerable dis
tance. One Thomas Reed at the
time lived with Hickman, and he
left the country early next morning,
and little John Hickman lett also.
lanes Hickman remained at home
but seemed frightened. He and his
wife prepared and left on the cars
for Miller county in a short time.
They spent considerable money be-
fore leaving. and went off on the
cars. They told conflicting tales
about how they obtained the money.
Alter beins gone awhile they re-
turned and sold the our acres OF
land They remained away until
the money was spent. and finally re-
turned. Suspicion ALWAYS rested On
Reed and the two Hioknlans. Asha-
in Hickman was intimate with old
Grandmother Bryner, and It Is said
| she impaired the knowledge. Hick-
man was arrested and placed under
a SI.5oo bond. He ran off and lef,
his father to pay the bond. After