The Indianapolis journal., 1885-01-25
AN ORGANIZATION OF ASsASSINS.
A Wholesale Murder Society in Florida
The Members Men in Good Standing

BRADENTowN, Fla, Jan. 24-The murder of
G. E. Able, postmaster and United States
land commissioner, at Sarasota, Fla, and the
subsequent discovery of the existence Of a So
ciety organized for the purpose of removing by
assassination all persons Objectionable, to the Or
ganzation, as already detailed in special dis
patches, continues to be the reigning sensa-
ton of that part of the State Mr.. Bidwell. the
storek kseper, made, it is reported an unsuccess-
full attempt to commit suicide, by taking NOR
phine. Charles Willard, who fred the shot
which killed Abbe after eluding his pursuers
for almost two weeks, has finally given himself
up, being driven to it by hunger and suffering.
He was so weak from loss of sleep and lack of
food, and his feet were so sore that he was I'M
able to stand, and it is reported that he crawled
into the camp. His feet are said to be in a hor-
rible condition, being worn to the quick He
was well taken care of, and the rags covering
his body replaced with decent clothing. He was
then taken to Pine Level, where he now is. Will
lard is a member of one of the most influential
families of the State, being brother of A H.
Willard, proprietor of the Swanee House, Cedar
Keys, and great efforts will undoubtedly be
made to release him.
It is now known that the murder of respecta-
BILE citizen of Bee Ridge, committed some six
months ago, was also the work of the assassina-
ton society, Riley having been condemned to
DEATH and four men having been appointed to
do the work Riley was shot while riding along
the road, and he was then dragged from his
horse and his throat cut. Nothing could be
found to indicate who did the foul deed, except
that it was shown that there were two assassins
There were two roads leading from the postof-
flee to Riley's house. ON one of which was sta
toned Tom Drymon and Lewis Cato and on the
other Dr. Hunter and Joe Anderson. Riley took
the road on which Drymon and Cato were sta
toned, and when their victim approached they
did their work thoroughly, Drymon shooting
him and Cato cutting his throat. SO in like
manner did Willard and q confederate watch for
Mr. Abbe. and it is supposed his throat was also
cut after he was shot, as great clots of blood
were found where he fell 1t is now known
that the society's prescribed manner of death
was three loads of buckshot fred into the vic
tim, and, to make assurance doubly sure, their
throats to be cut
Persons never suspected have been found to
belong to the gang. Old men with gray boards,
men in their prime and beardless boys have
been banded together in this fearful organiza-
ton, known by the cabalistic initials, rs. S. ".
G. which, being interpreted, means Sara Sofa
Vigilance Committee.
Dr. Hunters confession has been supple
mented by those Of Ed. Bacon and Joe Ander-
son, who have revealed more of the secrets of
the gang DR.. Andrews is shown to have been
the ring leader He claimed to his associates
that he belonged to similar organization out
West, where mercy was shown to none, even
women and children having been sacrificed
when husbands and fathers could be reached no
other way. He approached Mr.. Bdwell, and
that gentleman approving, they formed the
nucleus of what seems now to be powerful or
ganization, spreading to many parts of the State.
Andrews and Bidwell were appointed judges,
and Afford, of Sarasota. Captain. The man
ner in which they approached all the members
is not known, but the stories of DIR. Hunter and
George Tyler agree il every particular far as
this is concerned.
Mr.. Lowe old man and minister, was
sentenced by the S. S. V. c. to be whipped on
account of little misunderstanding between
him and his stepson, Louis Cato George Tyler
was appointed by Capt. Afford to do the whip
ping, but stoutly refused, whereupon the ques-
ton was again debated and the old man spared.
According to DR.. Hunter, Tyler was the first
member to rebel. He did not join until after
the Riley murder, and, therefore, was innocent
ef all knowledge of that. 1t is intimated that
the organization has chapters in other places in
the State and that its members are men Of
good standing. Eight men Of the society have
been arrested and are now in the Manatee jail
DIR Hunter, DIR. Bartholomew, John Fletcher,
JAS. Fletcher. Thos. Drymon, Louis Cato, John
Tippet and DR.. Andrews.