Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-24
W0EyELAND
MOFFETT
;o0~aleHT, sos, 81 eVoILIlNcHA'h co

by two young men named Michael Collins
and Walker Hammond, the two men escap-
ing with $1,000 taken from a messenger of
the Adams Express Company. But their
horses had carried them only Il short dis
lance from the looted train when they
found themselves surrounded by the for
midable Renos, who had quietly watched
the robbery from place OF concealment,
and now unceremoniously relieved the rob-
bers of their plumber. Not content with
this. and as If to intimidate others from Ike
trespasses on their preserves, the Renos
used their influence to nave their rivals
arrested for the crime by which they had
profted so little; and both were subsequent
ly tried. convicted and sentenced to long
terms IN the Indiana peritentiary. The
Renos. meantime, although they were
known to have secured and kept the So
000, were allowed TO go unmoleste1, and
continued their depredations.
Up to this time the members OF the Keno
gang had confined their operations for the
most part to Indiana; but now they began
to make themselves felt in Missouri, where
u number of daring crimes were commit
ted. notably the robbing of the county
treasurer's safe at Gallaun In Daviess
county. In this last act John Reno was
known to have been personally concerned.
! The case was placed in she hands OF Allan
Pinkerton.
Mr. Pinkerton traced John Reno back to
Seymour Ind, where the gang was so
strongly intrenched in the midst of cor
rupt officials and an intimidated pGpulace
that any plan of open arrest was out of
the question. Recognizing this. Allan Pin
kerton had recourse to the cunning of his
craft. He began by stationing In Seymour
trustworthy assistant who was instruct
ed, on a given day and at given hour. to
decoy John Reno to Tho railroad station
on any preterse that might suggest itself.
Then he arranged TO have half dozen Mis-
sourians. the biggest and most powerful
fellows lie could find, led by the sheriff of
! Daviess county, board an express train on
the Ohio and Mississippi railroad at Gin
pinDati and ride through to SEYMOUR
| irving there at the time agreed upon with
! his assistant. Along with them was TO
| be a constable bearing all the papers nee
essary to execute requisitior.
When the train reached Seymour there
was the usual crowd iounging about the
station and in y were John Reno and Mr..
Piukerton's lieutenant, who had entirely
succeeded In his task. While Reno was
staring at the passengers as they left the
train he was suddenly surrounded and
seized by dozen strong arms; and before
his friends could rally TO his aia or realize
what was happening. ae was elapped in
(, irons. carried aboard the trair, and soon
was rolling away 10 missouri under ar
rest.
Reno's friends stoutiy contested the case
! II the Missouri courts, arguing that the
| prisoner, had been kidnapped, and that the
/ law had therefore been violated by his
eaptors. The courts decided against them
on this point, however. and John Reno with
several less important members OF the
| gang. was tried and convicted. He was
sentenced 70 twenty-five years of hard labor
| In the Missouri penitentlaTy.
This was the first break in the ranks of
| tine band. the first instance in which its
members had suffered for their crimes. But
| the bold spirit of the organization was still
unhroken. Three brothers still remained to
replace tho one who was gone: and so far
| from learning caution, the band launched
| forthwith into still more daring and FREE
aueat ofrsnses. Trains were held up
right and LETT; robheries were committed.