Lexington weekly intelligencer., 1883-01-13


good would be accomplished by
the offer Of such large sums OF money
for the apprehension Of those desperate
men. The results which followed SO
closely upon its issuance furnish an
ample vindication of the policy which
inspired it. No tie, no faith in honora.
BILE comradeship. is stronger with an
outlaw than tho power of money.
On the 18th day of February, 1882.
Bob Ford surrendered to Capt. II. ii.
Craig of Kansas City. On the 24th day
of January, 1882. Dick Liddli surren-
dered to j. II. Tlmberlake, sheriff OF
Clay county.
On the 18th day of February, 1882,
Clarence Hite was captured in Logan
county. KY, by Capt. Craig and j. X.
Timberlake, and was taken to Daviess
county, Mo-, where two Indictments
one for the murder OF William Wesfall
and one for participation in the Wins
ton train robberry-were pending
against him. He was arrangded under
the Indictment and pleaded guilty to
the charge OF robbery, and was, on the
Same day, sentenced to twenty fl We
years. imprisonment in the penitentia.
ry, which sentence he Is now under
going.
On the Sd day of April, 1882. jesse
w. James was killed in the city OF St.
Joseph by Charles and Robert Ford
his follower and associates in crime.
The Fords Immediately surrendered
themselves to the legal authorities OF
Buchanan county and we're placed In
jail.
An indictment charging them with
murder in the first degree was prefer.
red against them by a grand-jury, to
which at the April term, 1882, they
both pleaded guilty in the Buchanan
county circuit court, and we're pardoned
by me on the same day, upon grounds
of public policy.
Frank James voluntarily surrender
ed himself to me, 10 my Office, III Jeffer-
son City, on the 5lh day OF October,
1882. I Immediately delivered him to
the law officers OF Jackson county,
where he is now incarcerated in jail,
awaiting trial on one or more indict'
ments.
On the 4th day of December. 1881
Wood Hite was killed by some one ol
his confederates in crime, at the resi-
dence of Mrs. Bolton, near Richmond
Ray county, Mo. Her house had been
the headquarters and hiding place o
the outlaws, in thut part of the state
for many months.
On the 18th day OF May, 1882, Rob
ert Ford was indicted iu Ray county fol
the murder of Wood Hite. The case
was removed, by change Of venue. te
Clinton county. where, on the 26th day
OF October, 1882 he was tried anc
acquitted, lie. ls now under recogLi
zance on the charge of robbery, as i!
also his brother. Charles Fold.
On the 7th day of October, 1882,
revoked the proclamation OF July 2S
1881, for the reason that the principa
actors in. aud perpetrators OF, ths
crimes are either dead or are in the Gus
tody of the laws OF the state.
Thus was completed the overthrow "
auddestruction Of the most noted and
daring band of outlaws known to ancien
or modern history. This grand result
fraught with so much interest and i'm
poi tance to the people o! Missouri wa:
accomplished by the activity and re.
lentless energy OF the officers and citi
zens of this state. aud particularly o
localities in which the outlaws had 81
long found sympathy and concealment
The policy adoptedfor the eXtirpatiol
of these bands received the cooperation
OF the criminal court of Jackson count,
and its officers; and thus there was 5u
little difficulty in securing a pronounced
enforcement of the laws, aud aw akenins
In the minds of the people of that conn
ty q settled determination to remov,
1 hn al rn1o ho hy
the depredatiOns of these bands, and t,
summarilY end at once. aud forever, tn,
crimes and career OF the organization
In this connection desire to publicly
recognize the intelligent and efliclen
assistance OF Capt. Henry Il. Craig o
Kansas City aud Sheriff James r
Timberlake OF Clay county. The ait
rendered by these gentlemen was inval
liable to me, and without it the duty de
volving upon me would have been mucl
more difficult. if not altogether impossi
BILE, to accomplish. The task they rs
sumed required fearless courage. extra
ordinary vigilance and all unrrring Sc
lection of instrumentalities. They &C
complished in fourteen months wha
others for twenty years had who'll,
tailed to do; and to these gentlemen
more than to all others, is due the credl
of bringing these outlaws to Justice.
also gives me pleasures 10 recognize tn,
the valuable services OF John Cason
Sheriff of Saline county. who wa
always ready to undergo any labor, dan
ger or exposure III pursuit OF the out
laws. In him Capts. Craig and Timber
lake had an intelligent and faithful coad
tutor. These brave officers discharged
every duty iearlessly and W ell, to whlcl
| unhesitatingly brar official testimony
l paid $4,000 in rewards to various
persons for the capture and overthrow
of this band of desperadoes, not on.
dollar OF which was tax en- from the stat,
treasury. 1t is not probable that Mis-
souri, will again be cursed and disgracet
by the presence OF such band of me,
poses. 1t IS fully rsdeeme and acquitted
OF that unwarranted appellation OF '.rob
Der state" But an insignificant mum
ber Of people III two or three countie
gave cOuntenance to such iawlessness
Our people, with one accord. hearth,
approve of the measures and means em
ployed to compel these violators OF The
law to confess its power and majesty
and applaud the stern. unbending de
termination ofthe officers who contrib
uted so much to the fulfilment OF tha
purpose.
It's done ; and Missouri is to iay on,
of the most peaceful states in the Union
Fewer crimes are committed within he
borders than in those of SURROUNDING
states.
Since my inauguration. three lawle
bands were formed and operated in diff
ferent portions OF the state. The "Mev
ers gang" composed six men, was or
ganized IN New Madrid county for th,
purposes OF robbery and murder. With
IN few weeks after it's formation two
OF Its members were shot to death Will.
resisting arrest, two were captured
tried under the law and executed, anc
the other two were sent to the peniten
tiary Tor their crimes.
A band known as the "Masor
gang" was organized in Adair county
for the purpose of robbihg banks and
committing other crimes. 1t consist
ell of four men, under tho leadership
'ot Frank Mason. Iu the mouth O.