Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1884-03-28
VOL. XII.
One of Frank James Crimes.

The Mussel Shoals robbery, on which
the indictment at Huntsville was based,
occurred early in the spring of 1881, at
which time Frank James, Jesse James,
Dick Liddil, Bill Ryan and Jim Cum
mings were living on Fatheriand streetin
Edgefeld, which is a suburban part of
Nashville. The robbers were three in
number and were well mounted. The
scene of the robbery was about one
hundred and twenty miles south of Nash
vile, where a Government contractor
was engaged in deepening a shallow
stretch of twelve miles of the river, which
shadows were called "Mussel Shoals"
The contractor drew his cash supplies for
carrying on the work from a bank at
Chattanooga, and on the date in question
the paymaster was proceeding on horse
back to the headquarters of the works,
carrying in a satchel $4,000, which had
just come from the Chattanooga bank.
The men who planned the robbery were
well posted as to the customs that pre-
vailed at the works in the matter of draw
ing supplies and paying off, as the outcome
proved. AS the paymaster was riding along
the river bank on a road which very few
people travelled he was overtaken by three
horsemen, who passed the time of day
and proved very sociable fellows indeed.
They were in the stock business and
were so congenial that the paymaster was
well pleased with his good luck in fall
ing in with such company. They rode
several miles with him, and about dusk
arrived at place where, in order to
reach the river works. the paymaster had
to leave the main road by wagon gate
and turn down into the bottom land. He
got off to open the gate, and happening
to look up at his companions, he was
amazed to discover three navy revolvers
gazing on him with an aspect that was
most eloquent and persuadiug. One of
the riders instructed him quietly to re-
mount and take a ride with them. He
did so, and for the next three hours
they rode through the darkness,
there being a conspicuous absence
of the jokes and discussions which
had made pleasant the earlier
part of their trip. They rode thus full
twenty miles, the four men seeming to
be well acquainted with the country.
Hating finally in thicket they relieved
the paymaster of everything that was
worth taking, including his horse and re-
volver, and with some earnest advice as
to the impropriety and futility of making
any great fuss they left him. He made
his way to the nearest house and reported
his adventure, his story being regarded
rather suspiciously. Little was done that
night, and next day pursuit was of no
avail, A few days later Bill Ryan,
mounted on fine horse, rode out from
Nashville in half-drunken state, and
going up one of the main roads for eight
Or ten miles created something of com.
motion by his drunken extravagances, dur
ing which he flourished revolver, and
swore that the man didn't live who could
take him. A justice of the peace
was notified, who waited for an oppor-
tunity to catch the braggart mapping and
succeeded in arresting and disarming
him. In his possession were found, be-
side a highwayman's outfit, about 81, 500
in currency, some of which bore the
wraps of the Chattanooga bank. This
was an important clue, and made sure
his character. The news reached Nash
vile, and Frank and Jessie James and
Dick Liddel left that night on horseback
for Kentucky. Frank, who had lived
there for foul years as an industrious
farmer and teamster, never went back
again, and it is inferred that he and Jessie
and Bill Ryan were the three who cap
tured the $50 satchel. Ryan was
brought to Missouri and convicted of
completely in the Blue Cut robbery on
the testimony of Tucker Basshaw, who
was relieved of ten years. sentence to
enable him to testify.-lSt. Louis Post.
DiaaatGh