The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-09-14
Five of the Bandits Forced to Seek Food
at a Farmhouse Near Kelcey-
vile, Allen County.
OFFICERS AT ONCE NOTIFIED
And the Desperadoes Attacked by
a POOrly-Armed Posse.
One of the Robbers and a Citizen Slight
ly Wounded in the Encounter, but
No Arrests Made.


Special TO the Indianapolis JournaL
OssIAN. Ind. Sept. l3.-A dis )stch from
Keloey willie. little town in Allen county.
about sixty miles from Ossisn. and along
the line of the Nickel-Plate. says that q
fruitless attempt TO capture five of the
Kessler train robbers was made at that
place between and 5 o'clock this after
noon. Ever since the robbery occurred
o sharp lookout has been kept for the rob-
bers. This afternoon, between 4 and 5
O'Clock. a colored man about twenty five
years Of age. mounted on q tired-looklng
pony. covered with dust and dirt ana
wearing slouch hat, rode into
known as the Spring Grove road. owned
by Jerome Stansbury. and asked for some
thing to eat The peculiar appearance
of the man, and his nervous manner.
aroused Mr.. Stansbury's suspicious. and.
while not daring to refuse the man out
right. he hesitated. and. entering the house.
called his wife to the door. ThereupOn the
negro. with a threatening glance, called
out: "Oh, you needn't. be afraid: am
going to pay for it. Pve got monoy," at
the same time pulling from his pocket q
wsll-flled purse. II want something to
eat, and 1 want all you've got" he said.
and then wens on rapidly to explain that
he had ridden on ahead of four com panions
Were going to stay in town and show
you farmers what a real wild West show
is like" he said. as he seated himself on o
chair in tho kitchen.
Stansbury, now thoroughly frightened.
but not daring to leave the farm. proceeded
to help his wife in the preparation of the
lunch for the unbidden guest. managing in
the meanwhile TO communicate his suspi-
cions to his wife. He told her he was sure
tho negro was one Of the KendsllviIie train
robbers and nearly caused her to faint.
However. the two managed to call their
little child Lizzie, aged ten, into the room
and whispered TO her TO slip out the back
way through the cornfield at the back of
the barn and into the town to tell
Marshal Hardison to come with q posse of
men as quickly as possible. The latter
rapidly spread the alarm. and in less than
ten minutes had o posse of some twelve
nervy young mon armed with guns. clubs.
stones, revolvers and other means of de-
fense.
At Herdison's side was Thomas Wilkin-
son, man nearly iifty-five years of age.
known as one of the piucklest men In
Whitley county. and veteran Of the war.
The party. with as little noise as possi-
BILE, went for tho Stansbury place. While
within but Q short Distance of it they
caught sight of the ex peoted four men turn
ing the corner of the Spring Grove road.
Fastening to join the negro who was
standing in front of tho farm house waving
for them to como on. The relief party
hastily turned aside into o little patch OF
wood land, but Wilkinson insisted on rid
ing on ahead, holding in one
hand rifle. He had not pro-
ceeded ten yards along the road
before the approaching party had caught
sight of him and whistled o warning to
the negro who was turned in the
other direction. The latter turned
quickly and reached for his hip
pocket. Without stopping to think OF the
consequences. Wilkinson took deliberate
aim and fired. With @ yell of pain tho ne
gro pulled his hand away from his pocket.
and rushed toward his pony. which was
standing near the gate. He jumped on it's
back. and started to join his oompa Mons.
to come on or turn back at the turn in the
road.
At this point wilkinson turned In his
saddle and yelled TO his companions:
Come on. boys. We've got 'em now." and
dashed in pursuit of the negro.
The relief party. headed by Marshal
Hardison. quickly emerged from their
hiding place and joined in the pursuit.
The robbers. for such they doubtedIy
were held their ground for moment. and
then poured q volley from their reviewers
into the midst of the party. turned and
started down the road. The re-
lief party followed them. Wilkinson
and Hsrdison. who were the only
members of the party who were mounted,
were in the lead. The chase was useless.
Wilkinson and Hardison were outmatohed
and. fearing for their lives. they gave mp
the pursuit after following the robbers for
q mile.
In the first voley fired the robbers
wounded young fellow named Jamas
White. who keeps q grocery store in Kel-
ceyvilie. but not seriously. The rob-