The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-29
THE REEVES DESPERADOES.
A Father and Two Sons Who Have Ter.
rOrized People OF Three Counties.
The True Story of the Killing of officer Gard
ner and the Wounding Of officer Cox
Three Desperate Criminals.
gDeeiai to the Indianapolis journal.


Dubois counties, southeast Of here. in southern
Indiana, have been greatly annoyed of recent
years by the terrorizing and depredations of
gang of eut-throats and robbers who have had
their own way for so long time that they do
not recognize the majesty of the law. nor the
powerof criminal court
The Reeves band of assassins are still at
large This family of desperadoes consists of
three men-John, George and Dr.. Robert
Reeyes-father and two sons. They are as
gillainous trio of wretches as ever escaped
hanging The history Of the crimes
pf these villains is as thrill
ing as any ever added to the
criminal catalogue. For years they have
been terror to peaceable people. The Reeves
family lived on large farm in Columbia town
ship, Dubois county, near Hillham postofice,
fifteen miles distant from any railroad, and in
as desolate and lonely spot as can be found in
this section Of the United States. The country
Is wild and broken, and abounds in hills, valleys
and rocky Businesses, with numerous caves in
the neighborhood TO aid the evil-doers to hide
from the light of day. The Reeves homestead
is shanty with Vulnerable doors, one story in
height and old fashioned. 1t Is situated
eighteen miles from Jasper, the county-seat, in
an easterly direction, and but few people ever
saw the place, it is so out of the way and seclud
ed. Here, for several years, old doc" Reeves
has lived with his wife, decrepit old woman,
afraid of her shadow.
"Doc" Reeves, the old man, has led life Of
crime. He is sixty years old, weighs about $50
pounds is six feet TALL gray haired, blue eyed,
md in,
his manner, and speaks in drawl
ing tone. His two sons, John and
George Reeves, are thirty five and thirty years
DID, respectively. The youngest son is cross
eyed and about the same build as his father,
while John Reeves is tall, erect and heavy and
rather good looking. The most recent infamy
Of this gang was the double assassination which
occurred on the hot summer afternoon Of June
I, 1886, in Dubois county, in which two brave
officers fell unfortunate victims in their murder
Vus hands. The true and thrilling story of this
foul assassination was never told Garbled re-
ports of the terrible deed have been printed, but
the truth of the bloody affair, as related to a
reporter by one of the dying officers, has never
yet been given the justice of cold type.
THE STORY OF THE KILLING.
Some time during the spring months, the
grand jury of Martin county found two indict-
ments against John and George Reeves, the
desperadoes, for the burglary of the store of
Mr.. Charles Crane, at Mountain Springs, Martin
county. The burglary was committed two years
ago. Learning that the robbers were at the
farm of their father, the Martin county
officials sent warrants for the arrest
of the villains to Sheriff Cox, Of Dubois
county, with instructions to arrest them if posi-
bic. Sheriff Cox Immediately set to work to do
his duty, and on Monday. June l, set out for
Huntingburg, where he heard the desperadoes
had been seen. In the meantime he had in
structed John Gardner. deputy sheriff, to scour
the town of Jasper for the burglars. Gardner
secured the aid of William Cox, another officer,
and set out on his mission. During the day
Gardner discovered old doc" Reeves in tow n
and the officers resolved to shadow him, feeling
sure that the boys would hide in the suburbs,
waiting for their father, and that when the old
man finished his trading they would meet on the
road and return home together. Accordingly
Gardner and Cox started out together, about
o'clock of the afternoon of Monday, June 1.
In order to get the story of the assassination
correctly from the lips of William Cox, one of
the dying officers, whose life is slowly ebbing
away at his pretty little cottage home in Jasper
the reporter called on him and persuaded him to
talk He said:
1--WE heard that old man Reeves was in town;
that he had come to town to buy q new wagon
and we suspected that the boys we were after
for burglary came part of the way with him.
Old man Reeves got the wagon, and toward
evening started out toward home. We did not
know anything about the whereabouts of the
young men, but supposed they had hidden them
selves in the woods near town. Gardner and
talked the matter over and resolved to follow
old Doc Reeves home and see if we couldn't
arrest the gang. We started out east across
Patoka river, about half past o'clock in the
afternoon, and when about one and a half mile
from town we suddenly turned a bend in the
road and came in full sight Of the three men
We were greatly Surprised to find them so easily.
One of the boys was riding bay horse, and one
was walking, while old Doc Reeves was in his
new wagon. driving along 150 yards ahead of the
boys We halted for consultation. We were on
horseback. Gardner told me to 60 ahead, and
when came up to them to merely bid them
the time Of day and pass on. / rode on
and said. Good evening to the boys They
nodded pleasantly and unsuspiciously. / rode
when said to him: Good evening. 1t looks as
you have been buying new wagon. Did you
get 1t over in town. Yes said the old man.
Il got it Bankkirk's.' just then Gardner rode
Up ouu OsofhCoEAus hio Viu mun 1oSt iSiuuIh,
asked inquiringly:
"sWho is Bankkrkp
'Its fellow back here in town. Reeves re-
piled.
II turned to Gardner and said: Yes, John,
it is blacksmith Benkert. We are in a big
hurry and had better ride on
II turned in my saddle and noticed the
Reeves who was on horseback, George, / be-
lieve, riding up to the wagon. Gardner saw
him too and turned around to him as he came
mp and said Lets see. what is your namep
Reeves replied gruffly, What is it your bust
ness what my name isP
Gardner replied, 1T is my business I want
you
'Both Reeves and Gardner then dismounted.
All the Reeveses gathered up them and one of
them said to me, pulling his revolver, What
does this meant
Il slipped on my horse in hurry, and said
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