The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-05-11
The DAYS OF LAwLEssnEss.
Capturing Gang OF Early Indiana Out
laws.

Capturing Gang ot Early Indiana Out
laws.
MARTINsvILLE, May Especial Back
In the early forties the horsethief and
cut throat were in clover in this state
One OF the most desperate OF these Iawless
bands was the one known throughout this
section as the Long and Phipps, and the
members were terror 10 the settlers
wherever they operated Their hiding
place was at the home of "Old Mother
Long" three miles west Of PatTicksburg,
owen county. This gang operated over a
large territory, reaching from Rock Island,
Ill.,, to Wheeling, W. Va, and some OF
their crimes We're Of the most blood
curdiing nature.
July /, 1915, Col. Davenport was muir
dered at his home near Rock Island by
Judge Fox, John Long and Shack Phipps
Of this gang of cut-throats. They were
apprehended and arrested at their rem
devious in Owen county, and James
Mitchell OF Patricksburg is the only person
now living that took part In their arrest.
Mitche!lTeiGtes many interesting stories
connected with the early history OF
southern Indiana. He speaks OF cold
Mother Long as being small, weazen-
faced semblance OF humanity, dirty to a
fault and possessed of a meager allowances
OF clothing. Shack Phipps' wife was
rather genteel appearing lass OF twenty,
but owing 10 her associations and sur
roundlngs was no more presentable than
Granny Long. Mr. Mitchell relates what
be knows of the Davenport murder, sub
stantiallY as follows: The people of Rock
Island and the surrounding country had
assembled 81 the court house 10 celebrate
the anniversary OF our national independ-
ence, and among these people were all the
family and domestics of Col. Davenport.
lie insisted on their all going TO the cele-
bration, saying he would look after things
at home and have quiet day by himself.
The family feared TO leave him alone as
the bandits were troublesome and it was
known by many persons that the colonel
always kept considerable money about the
house, but he finally prevailed on their
going He had passed through the perils
incident to a life on the frontier and dan
gers Of lonely residence on the very out
skirts OF civilization and had no fear OF
being troubled now since the country was
being better settled. He settled himself
in the parlor for day OF quiet reading and
rest. After little while he heard a noise
IN the ldfu tuu went 10 TIE door 10 see
what had caused il. Three men jumped
into the room, one pulling his revolver
and shooting Mr.. Davenport through the
thigh. The old man tried to defend him
self. but with little avail. He was bound
hand and foot with thongs made of
hickory bark, and dragged by the hair to a
closet in which was q small iron
safe. His hands were released, and
at the point of a revolver he WIS COM
manded % open the safe. The men took
what they deemed Of value and demanded
more money. knowing that he had more
secTeted somewhere. The old gentleman
was fast failing from the loss of blood and
pointed feebly TO a row of drawers in a
dresser. The men in their hurry over
looked the package and were very angry,
thinking Davenport had deceived them
and was trying TO detain them until friends
would come along. They beat him until
he became unconscious, when they left
with over $500 and other valuables They
then made of for their hiding place in