The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-04-10
THE KISSIMMEE TERROR.
A Florida Murderer and Desperate Cap
tured by a Steamboat Captain,
Jacksonville Special.

Jacksonville Special.
A dispatch from Kissimmee City to the Even
ing Herald of this city gives the graphic details
of thrilling adventure, resulting in the capture
of the most picturesque ruftian. of the South
Ralph Willingham has been for many years the
wealthiest and most desperate cattle king of
south Florida. His career has been wild and
checkered, but always successful, His wealth
is said to be enormous Those who know state
that he has two huge chests full of shining
Spanish doubloons hidden away in one of his
fortified cabins in the Wilderness.
He is the terror of the region about Kissim-
NEE. Five bloody murders are on his hands,
and there is a standing reward of 5000 for his
delivery to the authorities. dead or allVe. VI
tremendous stature and strength, of dauntless
courage, superb presence and prncely liberalty
to his favorites, he has been for years the Won
der of the wilderness Yesterday Ralph Willing
ham and his handsome wife boarded the trading
steamer Gertrude, Captain Pearce, of the Kis-
smmee river and contributing lakes. Captain
Pearce, who is also a man of iron courage,
treated the desperate with cvility, and the two
sat down to dinner Willingham suddenly
turned to his host and said: What right have
you to fit up and run trading steamer on this
river, anyhow
why can't / do it," the Captain good humor-
eddy replied. He then went on to say that he
ndu Oeen permitted TO DO so IN peace Tor q long
time and to end the pending controversy he
rose from the table and stepped out of the sa
loon. He was about to give some directions to
one of the men below when, turning suddenly,
he beheld the desperate of the kissimmee stand
ing grimly over him with huge bowie knife
raised with deadly intent Captain Pearce
evaded the deadly thrust of the knife and Crap
pied the sinewy pirate, who would no doubt have
overcome him but for the prompt and gallant in
reference Ofseveral members of the crew After
bloody struggle, in which two of the steamers
men We're wounded, Willingham covered with
blood and wounds, was disarmed and bound
hand and foot. He is said to have faced his
captors with grand scOrn and defiance that
even his defeat could not subdue.
In the lower part of the boat, asleep, was Red
ding Parker, brotherin-law of Willingham, and
a desperate himself AS soon as Parker learned
of WiIlingham misfortune he made desper-
ate effort to effect his release and it required an
other fierce struggle before Parker, too was
subdued. Parker then demanded to be allowed
to get off the boat as he was not an outlaw, but
permission was refused Watching his oppor-
tunity he evaded his guard suddenly plunged
into the kissmmee. swan ashore and escaped
into the swamp The Gertrude put on extra
steam and made good time to Kissmmee, where
Captain Pearce, with his valuable prisoner,
boarded the South Florida train for Orlando the
county-seat to claim his reward of 81, 500, and
thus the career of the richest and most desper-
ate of south Flordas cattle desperadoes is
brought TO temporary halt He confidently
asserts that his dOubloons will avail to give him
hack his hbeptv