Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-21
THE JESSE JAMES OF ONO.
Robber and Murderer. Then a Respect
ed Merchant, and Afterward a RObber
Again.


Robber and Murderer. Then a Respect
ed Merchant, and Afterward a RObber
Again.
A few days ago, says Hillsboro CO.,
letter to the New York Sun, Gov. Hoadly
pardoned Frank Messmer, young man
serving a ten years term in the peniten-
tiary for robbery. Messmer was the pal
of Bob Mckimmie, the Jesse james of
Southern Ohio. Since Messmer has been
out of Jail he has made many disclosures,
which, with the known history Of Nc
hlmme, make up tale equal TO those
told OF the Younger and James criminals.
Mchimmie was born thirty years ago near
Rainsboro. He began stealing when
schoolboy, and at IA joined the regular
army at Columbus. lie went to fight
Indians, and deserted in two years.
He became road agent in Utah, and
with companions robbed and MUIR
dered stage passengers and express
agents. He, with others, was captured
ana sentenced to 10 years in the Mormon
penltentiary. In nine months he escaped
with Jack Williamson, a fellOW-cOnvict.
The guard was killed to effect the escape.
From Utah, Mckimmie went to the Black
Hills. In February. 1877, he robbed the
Cheyenne stage. He had organized
mail, express and passengers. In March
the gang attempted to rob another stage,
and Mckimmie killed Johnnie Slaughter,
the driver. The horses ran away, and the
eleven passengers escaped. Later at the
cheyenne crossing the same gang robbed
three coaches and soon had over $4,000.
A woman dressed in boys clothes fol-
lowed Mchimmie in his depredations,
and overheard his comrades plotting to
kill and rob him. She warned him, and
Mckimmie, with one companion took the
entire booty and went to Texas.
From Texas, McKimmie came to Hills
boro in Sept. 1877. He was well dressed.
had abundance of money, and said he had
been successful in cattle herding in Texas.
He became a peaceable citizen of Rains
boro, and married Clara Furguson, an
Orpha1-girl, against her uncle's wish.
Mckimmie bought store, and was soon
a merchant in good standing.
A few months later NJ. f. leach. of
0gaila, Mo-, came here after a Union
racine traln roDbe+-. He had suspected
Mchllanlle, tut was mistaken, as the lat
1ef 9dd come here the month before the
robbery in question. Leach atterward
met Detective Bullock, of Deadwood, and
told him about McKimmie's new start in
life. Bullock knew the rObber from
experience, and had been trying to trace
him for some time. He came here at
once and visited McKimmie's store.
Getting him outside, he arrested Nc
kimmle on charges OF robbery and MUIR
der. McKimmie's lawyers got him out of
Jail in an hour, but he was Immediately
rearrested. After much legal fighting the
case was carried to the Supreme Court and
Mckimmie went to jail. An attempt to
release him by forged kilograms from Co
lumbus was made by his friends but
failed. In January, 1873, while his case
was pending he escaped from jail by shoot
ing the Sheriff and cowing the guards
with a revolver. An old man seized gun
loaded with shot and fired at the fugitive.
The shot struck his cigar case and his life
was saved.
He eluded capture, and was secreted
with friends near here for weeks. He
even had friend arrange to bring a De-
testive Norris into a certain ChillicOthe
saloon that he might see him for future
recognition. He saw the detective
through a knOthole. He then went to
Virginia, met his wife at Richmond, and
lived with her in Raleigh, Charleston,
Savannah, and at Nassau, n. p. There
he became bankrupt and was imprisoned
IL days for .. board debt. He worked his
way to New York. leaving his wife at
Nassau. Coming to Ohio he failed to get
money from his lawyers, and plotted with
Messmer to rob a farmer named Roads,
living near here. They got $50 from
Roads. With this money the bandit went
back to his wife, ard came here again in
October, and planned to rob the Balm
bridge Bank with New York Charley, an
other noted rObber.
Meantime Messmer had been sentenced
to 10 years Imprisonment for robbery.
With other pals McKimmie remained IN
the country, and robbed two rich old
maids in Pike county. Then he went to
New York, intending to go for his wife at
Nassau. He came back, as the ship would
not sail for some time, and lived in an old
cabin near Rainsboro. 1t had been aban-
dOned for years, and neighbors were sur
prised one morning TO see curl of blue
smoke ascend from the old stone chimney.
The word was given out that McKim-
ME was there, and a posse of men
found him there, ready for fight. He re-
sisted arrest until shot twice. Efforts were
made to lynch him, but he was taken to
the HIllsborO jail, chianed and piniOned.
The Wyoming authorities attempted to
get him, but he was tried for robbery on
several indictments, and got JOINT term
of fifteen years. His conduct in State
prison has been good, and he hopes to get
out through a pardon before his term
ends. If he does, the Wyoming detec-
tiyes will be on the watch, and take him
to DeadwOod to be tried for murder and
robbery. He has threatened to kill Bull
lock and many other enemies if lie ever
re Mt