The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-06-04
THEY GOT THE DROP.
Two Indiana oaiesrs Kiiled by Three In
diana Desperadoes.

Two Indiana 0fiieers Killed by Three In
diana Desperadoes.
EVANSVILLE ISD., June ga terrible
tragedy took place at Jasper last night,
by which two officers in the discharge Of
duty met their death at the hands OF two
desperadoes. The facts as obtained by a
correspondent are as follows:
Robert P. Reeves is farmer, living in
Columbia township, Dubois county. He
| is about 90 years old and somewhat Of q
hard character, having already served a
term In prison. He. haA two sons, John,
aged IS, and George, so years. They are
saloon,keepers in Terre Hante and rated
as desperadoes. For the past year they
have been In the habit Of visiting their
father every two or three months, and re-
tmainirE eight or ten dsys. There has
been an indictment for grand larceny in
Martin county hanging over their heads
for two years past, but for some reason no
attempt has ever been made to serve it.
About week ago the Sheriff OF Dubois
county reeeiyeda q warrant with instruc-
tions 10 arrest the boys there at the fathers
farm. The Sheriff swore in two Deputy
Sherifs-John Gardner and William Cox
for this purpose. The men found no OPP
portunity 70 arrest the men until yester.
day, when old Reeves came to Jasper,
leaving his two sons about mile and q
half from town.
The Deputies, by watching the old man,
found the hiding place Of their men about
5 o'clock and arrested them. While going
10 town the old man said 10 Garlne:
sThat's q pretty pistol you have; let me
see it.n The siticer handed the pistol to
him, whereupon the prisonertriedt TO shoot
him, but was prevented by Cox drawing
| his own revolver and telling Reeves not to
attemptit. Reeves therenpon shot Cox
in the wrist, causing the pistol to drop
from his hand. Old Reeves then fred two
more shots at Cox, one entering the thigh
aud the other lodging in the back, par
aIIztng him from the waist down. Mean
while the two sons had opened fire upon
Gardner, shooting him four times, two
shots taking effect in the back, one in the
left arm, and one in the forehead, between
the eyes. Alter beth men were rendered
helpless the two younger men went
through Gardner's pockets. securing Slg
In money and some valuable papers,
They also appropriated Gardner and Cox's
reyolYers and their horses and escaped,
coming south toward Evansville.
The wounded officers lay suffering in
tense agony until about seven o'clock last
evening, when they were discovered by
farmers and brought TO Jasper, where
medical attendance was procured.
Gardner fingered until three o'clock
this morning, when he dice, suffering great
". Cox Is alive at this hour (SP. NJ bot
his death Is momentarily expected. Moth
ing has been heard Of the murderers aad
the authorities have taken no steps lead
ing to theiE apprehension. The officers
remain inactive, simply because no re-
ward has been offered for the arrest OF
Reeves. Both murdered men were well
known and liked in the community.
Gardner was for q long time resident Of
Evansville, and was 4 klnd.hearted and
brave fellow. Both leave families. The
citizens are excited and loud in their con-
defamation Of the inaction Of the author
tiles.