St. Paul daily globe., 1895-06-24

ing DR.. Bushay discovered that dan
gerous symptoms had set in, and in
answer to Halls eager queries as
to his condition the man of medi-
cine plainly told him that he might
live till night, but did not enter
tain the slightest hopes that he
would survive till the sunrise of an
/ other day. Realizing that at best he
had but
A FEW HOURS TO LIVE,
young Hall requested DR.. Bushay to
come and see him again as soon as
his professional duties of the morn
ing were over, as he had something
of Importance to speak about.
Up to this time nothing was known
of Halls history, beyond the fact
that he was member of an organized
band of robbers, and that he was
possessed of more than ordinary in
telligence. He was about twenty
two years of age, ABOVE the medium
height, had high, intellectual fore
head, with dark curly hair, deep-set
eyes of the same color and rather
prominent features.
According to. agreement DR.. Bu-
shay, accompanied by Mr.. Wood,
appeared on time and seated him
self by the wounded mans bunk.
The doctor was accustomed to such
occurrences, and expected to hear
no more than dying message to be
sent to a distant relative, but, be-
ing of kindly disposition, was al
ways ready and willing to perform
such an office for a patient. This
subject, on account of his youth and
apparent intelligence, had aroused
his sympathies to a greater extent
than usual.
Hall began by saying that he had
a burden on his mind-a burden
that was weighing him down like
unto a millstone about his neck. He
had committed many grievous
wrongs against his fellow men, and
so far as now lay in his. power de-
sired to. make amends. He declared
that he was of a good family who
then resided in Saline county, where
advantages of education, etc, that
loving parents, in moderate circum-
stances but good social position,
could give him. Being of a roman
tic and rather reckless disposition,
he sought about him for an oppor-
tunity to distinguish himself and
acquire notoriety. The civil war
broke out at this time, when he
thought he saw a chance to crafty
his ambitious ideas. Not being in
command of sufficient influence to Sc
cure an officers commission in the
United States service, he was at a
loss how to proceed or what course
to pursue, as he disdained the idea
of enlisting as private or common
soldier. In this emergency he coun-
seled with his chum and playmate
of his youth, Thomas H. Brown.
While discussing the situation with
his friend he conceived the idea Of
BECOMING A ROBBER,
and the pros and cons of such course
were fully considered. At the outset
Brown was undecided about entering
into the scheme, but Hall used his per-
suaSive powers to advantage, and,
coupled with his magnetic influence,
soon won the day. 1t was agreed be-
tween them that only five more were to
be admitted as members of the band;
it was further decided that Hall was
to be captain, with Brown as his
lieutenant and to succeed to the COM
mand in case the. band should be de-
prived of leader.
An ironclad oath was prepared and
administered to each new candidate,
under cover of the sonber shades Of
evening, at. their forest rendezvous.
They pledged themselves to obey and
execute all orders given or issued by
the captain, who was vested with su-
preme power, with his lieutenant as
counselor in all important moves. Each
man provided himself with a good
mount and a thorough equipment of
arms, ammunition, etc.
In the summer of 81 the band began
active operations and from the first
were entirely successful. For time
they confined their exploits to the rob-
bing of private individuals, which was
not attended by any considerable dan
ger as their plans were always well
laid, and the victim seldom offered any
resistance whatever. This sort of thing
soon became monotonous, and at last
an attack on a bank of a small village
near st. Louis was planned. AS usual,
the band met with success, and when
the plunder was divided each member
found himself in possession of several
thousand dollars. The season was now
far advanced, and by agreement the
band disbanded, subject to call by the
captain. From the proceeds of the
bank raid the men were enabled to live
in princely style in st. Louis and other
cities through the winter months.
Towards the last of February OF the
following year the band reorganlzed
and started South on a plundering eX-
pediticn, which extended into Arkansas.
Becoming too bold in their operations
in this state a detachment of Southern
troops was called out and they were
chased back to Missouri. For several
days the band remained in the neigh
borhood of the state line, when they
suddenly decamped for Northern Mis-
souri, and robbed q bank at Centralia.
This proved to be the
RICHEST HAUL YETt MADE,
they having secured s52,o0o in cash.
The robbery created a great stir, and
a sheriff's posse was sent after the bold
highwaymen. By the captains orders
the band scattered and travelled separ-
ately and in disguise for few days,
till the intense excitement had some
what subsidized, when, by previous
agreement, they met and continued
their journey. toward Green county
On the way two men We're robbed.
From one they obtained $1,000, and
from the other, an old farmer, $6,OOo
which amount: represented the hard
earnings of a lifetime,
This was the story of his life, which
had, indeed, been an eventful one dur
ing the last two years. Hall affirmed
| that only a few times during his career
| as a highwayman did it become, neces-