Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-09-22
INDIANA OUTLAWS.
"Reminiscences OF the Most Notorious of
the Gangs.

An Indianapolis correspond emit
writing TO the Cincinnati Commercial
Gazette 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 southern part of Indiana. While
crimes have been committed in Gen.
trail and Northern Indiana, the organ
lied gang of law-breakers have only
existed among the hills of the south
ern one-third Of the state. The old le-
gends 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 no.
torioue criminal. Of later years the
most famous band was that of the
Renos, the pioneers of train-robbing,
the boldest, most daring and success.
full train robbers this country has ev-
er known. Their history was very
romance of crime, and their final
winding up was peculiarly tragic.
They robbed like kings. In compari-
son with their bold operations the do
ings of the James and Younger broth
ers were but raids of petty thieves.
After preying upon the public for
years they finally met their fate at
the hands of mob.
Next to the Renos, perhaps, should
be classed the Jones and Tolliver
gang. For long time this gang ter
controlling influence in politics. The
crimes of this gang were all directed
against one family, and it was 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 q maiden
sister The Moodys, for that was
their name, were peaceable, orderly
citizens, pursuing the even tenor of
their way, gradually accommodating
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 Toll
yer was considered one of the wealth.
est farmers in this county, and was
highly respected by all his fellow citi
zens. In 1858, Burton Jones, g. young
man, and q carpenter by 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
of her family, but he soon so dominat-
IL 4loof g., h ho cd oil Of
their affairs. In the course of time old
man Tolliver's wife died, and he mar
ried the old maid sister of the Moodys.
Not g. great while afterward team
ran away and killed the old man.
Then afeud began that led to innumer
able crimes, and for years terrorized
the two counties. One of the Tollivers
took out letters of administration on
the estate, which was resisted by the
widow. A tedious litigation followed,
resulting in the removal of the widow,
and it might be said the war between
the two factions was fairly begun.
On the day Of the sale of the person
al property the Moodys attended and
took an active part in directing the
sale. To this the other side objected,
especially to the interference of Tom
Moody, whom they accused OF trying
to cheat the estate for the benefit of
his sister. A fight ensued, and Tom
Moody was terribly beaten by Jones
and one Of the Tollivers, and for
awhile it was thought he would die
of his injuries. Tom Moody brought
suit against Simpson Tolliver for
Islander, and alter q long and angry
trial obtained Judgment for 1900.
This only added fuel to the flames,
and lawsuit after lawsuit followed in
quick succession. Among others was
one to recover from the Moodys ST.
900 it was alleged they had carried
away from the house of old man Tolli-
yer at the time of his death. 1t was
claimed the old man had that amount
concealed in his bed at the time he was
killed. After two or three trials g.
verdict was finally rendered in favor of
the Moodys. By this time Lawrence
County was divided into two factions.
Among the lower and disorderly ele-
ment Jones was an autocrat. He was
q bold, determined man, ready to en-
gage in any thing to wreak his vengeance
upon real or supposed enemy. The
people were afraid of him, and many
took sides with him out OF lear. BY
this means he was able for while to
defy the law and defeat all attempts
to punish him.
The Moodys lived in an old-fash-
toned house on their farm, the wild.
owed sister acting as housekeeper for
her brothers. One night the house
was attacked, and jugs filed with
gasoline and handgrenades loaded
with slugs, screws, bolts, and nails
were thrown in through the windows.
A terrible explosion followed, and the
house was literally torn to pieces.
The ceilings, walls, and beds were rid
died with the nails, bolts, etc. For
tunately the gasoline jug did not ex-
plode, and fire was not added to the
terror of the night. All the Moodys
were terribly wounded, but none
killed. In his terror Tom Moody ran
out of the house, and was shot in the
back by concealed foe. He ran into
brier-patch. and hid himself, his
L. IL II,