The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-31
Two Shot to Death, Two Left Dying
and Two More Missing and sup
posed to Have Been Killed.
REVENGE OF M0ONSHINERS
WHO WERE BEING HUNTED TO
THEIR DENs IN TIE FOUNTAINS.
Expense of Another Posse Approved
by the Attorney General and Re-
ward of $500 offered.

1ITTl1D ROCk, Ark, aug, 3u.--oiX men
were probably massacred in the wids of
the mountains of Pope county yesterday
afternoon. Two were killed outright two
were fatally wounded and left for dead, and
two have mysteriously disappeared and
are either dead or are being held captive
by the blood-thirsty bandits who committed
the crime. The killed are:
CAPTAIN b. f. TAYLOR, of Searcy
county, deputy United states marsnal.
JOSEPH DODSON, of stone county,
deputy marshal.
The fatally wounded are two brothers
named Renfro, of Searcy county. The
names of the missing men are not known.
but they are supposed to be deputy sheriffs
from an adjoining county. The victims
were officers, deputy marshals and deputy
sheriffs, and the men who did the bloody
work are moonshiners of the boldest and
most desperate class
The scene of the crime was a gulch or
ravine in the mountains of Pope county
at an isolated spot thirty-five miles from
RusselIville, the nearest telegraph office,
and ten miles from Will Springs. The re-
gion is wild and isolated. 1t has for years
been the favorite rendezvous for counter
letters and moonshiners and a district in
which no law-abiding citizen could live.
Veteran moonshiners who were years ago
Carolina, Tennessee and other States, have
settled in that mountainous country and
continued their illicit distilling of whisky.
Counterfeiters have operated there and
criminals of other classes have taken
refuge in the hills of Pope county. For
years it has been considered the worst and
most dangerous section in the State and
the crack of the rifle has warned many
deputy marshal to be gone.
The officers for a long time have been try
ing to break up the lawlessness in that
vicinity and many battles between them
and the desperadoes have occurred. Cap
tain 3. +. Taylor, the richest man In
Searcy county, and man of much prom
inence determined to aid the officers in
putting down crime in that section. He Sc
cured a commission as deputy United
States marshal and led the posse in the
raid that resulted in his death.
A few days ago a successful raid was
made in the same locality, in which a dozen
moonshiners were captured and brought to
Little Rock One of them told the officers
that at least fifty large distilleries were OPP
Grating in the same neighborhOOd. Taylor,
with his posse located a large moonshine
outfit Saturday night and decided to make
the raid Sunday in daylight. Proceeding
slightly in advance of his men, Taylor was
within thirty feet of the distillery when he
was suddenly fired on from ambush and in
stantIy killed. AS Dodson ran up to Tay-
To- he was also shot dead in his tracks.
Rifles began to crack in all directions ana
a voloy was fired at the remaining officers.
The Renfro brothers fell MORALLY wound
ed and lay bleeding by the roadside until
later in the day, when traveller named
Pack CHANGED by. All traces of the bandits
xon Of tha
uty sherifs The latter have not since been
heard from and are believed to
have been killed or wounded and
taken away captive by the moon
sinners. Pack hurried to Russellville with
the news, and the coroner, together with
a sheriff's posse, Immediately started for
the scene. No news has been received since
they departed. Pack thinks the Renfro
brothers will be dead before the party
reaches them.
1t is not known by whom the crime was
committed, but the officers believe the gang
is composed of desperadoes headed by Hor-
ace Bruce and John Church, two of the
most dangerous characters in that locality.
The United States authorities were to-day
asked to offer a reward for the arrest of the
gang, to which the State will contribute,
and a determined effort will be made to
capture them. 1t is very probable the eff
fort will lead to further bloodshed.
Captain Taylor was an ex-captain in the
Federal army. He had served two terms
in the State Legislature and was noted for
his bravery.
Marshal Cooper this afternoon received
the following telegram from Attorney Gen.
eral McKenna at Washington:
Expense of posse. subject to executive
approval, not to exceed $1,000, authorized
Five hundred dollars reward authorized for
capture and delivery to marshal of all per-
sons implicated in the murder"