The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-08-17

Robber aud Murderer. Then . Respected
N srehaut. and Arerward Robber Agnin.


Merchant. and Arerward Robber Again.
HILLsBoRo. Aug. ia few days ago Gov.
Hoadly pardoned Frank Messmer u 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 Messmcr has been out OF Jail lie has
made many disclosures which. with the known
history Of McKimmie. make up u tale equal to
those told OF the Younger and James criminals.
Mckimmie was born thirty years ago near
Eainsboro. He began stealing when school
boy, and at "A Joined the regular army at
Columbus, He went to fight Indians. and Dc.
in Utah. and with companions robbed and MUIR
dered stage rassehEors and EXPRESS agents;
to ilitcon years in the Mormon peni,sntiary.
In nino months he escaped with Jack William
son. fellow convict Ths gu4rd was killed to
to the Back Hills. In February. 1877 he rob
bod tho Cheyenne stage. lie hal organized q
cypress. and passengers. In March the gnnE
attempted to rob another stage and Mex inn
mic killed Johnny Slaughter. the driver. The
horses ran away, and the eleven passengers cs-
cnped. Intor at tho Cheyenne crossing tho same
gang robbed three coaches and soon had over
lowed Mckimmie In his dcpr.da.ions, and
overheard his comrades plotting TO- XIII and
rob him. Sho warned him. and Mckimmie
with one. companion took the Sutire booty and
G From Texas, MgKIImmis came to Hll!sborp IN
abundanco OF m"ney, and snIl lie had been sue
cessiu in cattle hcrdInE IN Texas. He became,
uncie's wish. MeKimm.o bought ~ store and
was soon merchant in good Standing. an.
Mo. came here after u Union Pacific train rob
ber He hnd snsrrcled Mckinmie. but was
ms,nkTn rs IN" rn Inter ma esmn hero ns
uttsrwnrd mot Detective Bullock OF Dcauwood
and told him !ibou, Mex immns now start in
life Bullock knew thorobbor from ex prri"ncs.
aud hul been irving TO trace him Tor snmetim
Iie came here u. once and visited McKimmic's
store "etling him outside no arrested Me-
Kimm on charges of robbery and murder.
McKimmius lawyers got him ont of inil in an
hour. but ho was immediately rearr"s'nd, After
Su uv me-" Court nii. WrKimm" Ven, To- ai
An a,tornpt To rclensc him by forged kilograms
Wns m W s b s sa.
pending he csrnped from jai by shooting, the
Sheriff and ruwinG the guards with n revolver;
An 9'd man seed Gpm ynhed VIII Sh", ama
case and his lilo Was saved
lIo siudei cnp'nrs. and was secreted with
friend arrange to bring Detective Norris into
u certain ChiiIl'otho saloon TINT he m i:ht see
tive through knornole. iIe then went TO Vir-
ginia met his VIE ~ lichmond. and lived with
IA. !" rrrs 10 ens at" and
| was imprisoned ioriy-nne days tor II board
| debt. lI1 worked his way to New York, leaylni;
| his wIfe Mt Nassau. Coming to OHIO he failed
| tn got money from his LAWYERS. and plotted
| with MESSENGER to rob u farmer named Roads.
| LIVING near here. They got $50 from ltonh..
| With this money the bandit went back to hi!
wife. and came here again ip October. and
| York Charley, another noted robber.
| Meantime M".smcr had been sentenced to
| ten years' imprisonment for robbery. With
othsr pals Mckimmis remained in the country
| and robbed two rich old maids in Pike county
| Then Ito went to New York. intending to 20 for
| his wifs at Nassau. lle came back. MS the shiu
| would not sail for some time, md lived in m
old cabin near Rainsboro, 1t had been aIan,
| doned for years. anu noghbors were surprised
one morning to see IL eur! OF blue moko ascend
| from tho old stone chimney. Tho word was
| given out that Mex imm 10 was there. and u
| posse OF men found him there. ready for n fight
| Ho resisted arrest until shot twice. Effort,
were made to lynch him. but he WAS taken te
| tho IIillsboro Jail. chained and pinionsd. The
Wyoming authorities attempted to get him. but
| he was tried for robbery on several INDICTMENTS
| and got n joint term Of fifteen years, His con-
| duct in State prison has boon good. and he
hopes TO get out through =, pardon before hit
| term ends. II he does. tho Wyomi NJ detectives
| will be on the watch. and take him to Dead
wood to be tried for murder and robbery. X.
| has threatened to kill Bullock and many othel
enemies II hs ever gets out