Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1886-10-21
INDIANA OUTLAWS.

An indianapolis correspondent writ
ing to the Cincinnati Commercial Ga
zette says: The final breaking up of
the Archer gang, by the sentencing to
death of Samuel Archer, calls to mind
the doings and fate Of several other
notorious gangs of outlaws that have
at different times infested the south
ern part of Indiana. While crimes have
been committed in Central and North
ern Indiana, the organized gang OF
law breakers have only existed among
the hills of the southern one-third Of
the state. The old legends have it
that in the early day John A. Murrell
and his band of outlaws had several
hiding places in Harrison, Crawford
and Perry Counties, and many are
the blood-curdling stories told Of the
depredations of that notorious oriml-
nal. OF later years the most famous
band was that of the Renos, the pio-
neers of train-robbing, the boldest,
most daring and successful train-rob'
bers this country has ever known
Their history was very romance o.
crime, and their final winding up wa'
peculiarly tragic. They robbed like
kings. In comparison with their bol(
operations the doings of the Jane
and Younger brothers were but RAID
of petty thieves. After preying upoI
the public for years they finally me
their fate at the hands of mob.
Next to the Renos, perhaps, shoulc
be classed the Jones and TolIivel
gang. For long time this gang ter
rorized two counties, and exercised I
controlling influence in politics. Ih'
crimes of this gang were all directed
: against one family, and it was a ven
delta worthy the best days OF Corsica
In 1858, living on adjoining farms II
! Lawrence County, were two tamllie
n OF excellent repute. One consisted Q
five bachelor brothers and made
sister. The Moodys, for that wa
their name, were peaceabIe, ordefI
citizens, pursuing the even tenor {
their way, gradually accumulatln
wealth. On the adjoining farm live
old man Toliver, wife, and three
four children. The two families wei
n intimate, and for years lived on tn
re most amicable terms. Old man Toll
ID yer was considered one Of the wealth
est farmers in this county, and WI
highly respected by all his fellow cit
zens. In 1858, Burton Jones, your
Il. man, and a carpenter oy trade, loca
YES ed in Mitchell. He soon grew to
o. popular, especially with the your
people, and was their leader in a
things. He married daughter
old man Tolliver, much against t
g wishes of her family, but he soon
dominated the family that he co
trolled all Of their affairs. In t
course of time old man Tolliyer & W
% died, and he married the old ma
sister Of the Moodys. Not gre
while afterward team ran away
&C. killed the old man. Then feud
gan that led to innumerable Grim
and for years terrorized the two cou
ties. One Of the Tollivers took
letters of administration on the esta
id' which was resisted by the widow, a
it might be said the war between
two factions was fairly begun.
On the day of the sale of the p
're' sonal property the Moodys attend
and took an active part in direct
the sale. To this the other side
ected, especially to the interfere
Of Tom Moody, whom they accused
trying to cheat the estate for the b
eft Of his sister. A fight ensued,
D. Tom Moody was terribly beaten
. ot Jones and one Of the Tollivers,
for awhile it was thought he wo
- die of his injuries. Tom Mo-
brought suit against Simpson Toll
q for Islander, and after long and an
an trial obtained judgment for $l,5
ao,, This only added fuel to the haI
,ort- and lawsuit after lawsuit followed