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 fIndiana. 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 crimi-
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 a very romance of
crime, and their final winding up was
peculiarly tragic. They robbed like
kings. In comparison with their bold
operations the doings Of the James
and Younger brothers were but raids
of petty thieves. After preying upon
the public for years they finally met
their fate at the hands of a mob.
Next to the Renos, perhaps, should
be classed the Jones and Tolliver
gang. For long time this gang ter
rorized two counties, and exercised a
controlling influence in politics. The
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 in
Lawrence County, were two families
OF excellent repute. One consisted Of
five bachelor brothers and a maiden
sister. The Moodys, for that was
their name, We're peaceable, orderly
citizens, pursuing the even tenor of
their way, gradually accumulating
wealth. On the adjoining farm lived
old man Tolliver, wife. and three or
four children. The two families were
intimate, and for years lived on the
most amicable terms. Old man Tolli-
yer was considered one of the wealth.
est farmers in this county, and was
highly respected by all his fellow citi-
zens. IL 1853, Burton Jones. young
man, and carpenter oy trade, lOcat-
ed in Mitchell. He soon grew to be
popular, especially with the young
people, and was their leader in all
things. He married a daughter Of
old man Tolliver, much against the
wishes of her family, but he soon so
dominated the family that he con-
trolled all of their affairs. In the
course of time old man Tolliver's wife
died, and he married the old maid
sister Of the Moodys. Not a great
while afterward team ran away and
killed the old man. Then feud be-
gan that led to inuumerable crimes,
and for years terrorized the two coun-
ties. One Of the Tollivers took out
letters Of administration on the estate,
which was resisted by the widow, and
it might be said the war between the
two factions was fairly begun.
On the day of the sale OF the per-
sOnal property the MOOdys attended
and took an active part in directing
the sale. To this the other side OBJ
jected. especially to the interference
OF Tom Moody, whom they accused Of
trying to cheat the estate for the ben
eft of his sister. A fight ensued, and
Tom Moody was terribly beaten by
Jones and one Of the Toll;vers, and
for awhile it was thought he would
die of his injuries. Tom Moody
brought suit against Simpson TOlliyer
for slander, and after long and angry
trial obtained judgment for 1900.
This only added fuel to the flames.
and lawsuit after lawsuit followed in
ouick SucrsSSinn AmanC o.hars was