The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-03

and soon was rolling away to Missouri
under arrest.
Reno's friends stoutly contested the
case in the Missouri courts, arguing
that the prisoner had been kidnapped,
and that the law had therefore been
violated by his captors. The courts
decided against them on this point,
however, and John Reno with sew
gang, was tried and convicted He
was sentenced to Is years Of hard Ia
Dor In the Missouri penitentiary.
This was the first break in the ranks
Of the band the first instance in
which they had suffered for their
crimes. But the bold spirit of the or
ganization was still unbroken. Three
brothers still remained to replace the
one who was gone; and so far from
learning caution. the band launched
frequent offenses. Trains we're held
up right and left; robberies were com
mitted, and early In 1868 the gang
made a famous raid across the country
through Indiana and Illinois, robbing
safes IN county treasureTs offices IN
a number of places. In several in
stances some of the members were ar
rested; but they always managed to
have the prosecution quaShed, or in
some way to escape conviction. In
the spring of 1858 their operations be-
came so outrageous, and the situation
so serious, that Allan Pinkerton was
again called upon to do something in
the cause of public safety.
In March of this year the safe ofsthe
county treasurer at Magnolia, Harri-
$14, 200, and Allan PinkertOn detailed
his son, William A. Pinkerton, and
two assistants to run down the bur-
glars. Arriving at the scene of the
robbery, the detectives found that the
thieves had made their escape on a
handcar and had gone in the direc-
ton of Council Bluffs. At this time IN
Council Bluffs there was a low saloon,
kept by a man who had formerly
lived in Seymour and who was known
as q bad character. It was decided to
keep a sharp watch on this resort,
Mr.. Pinkerton reasoning that since
Seymour was the friendly refuge of
the Renos, 1t was altogether likely that
perhaps an abettor, in the saloon
keeper. who had once lived there.
After two days watching. the detec-
tives observed a large man Of dark
complexion enter the saloon and en-
gage IN close conversation with the
proprietor, having with him, evidently,
some mysterious business.
Investigation disclosed this man to
be Michael Rogers, a prominent and
wealthy citizen Of Council Bluffs, and
the owner of an extensive property in
the adjoining counties. Puzzled but
clew, Mr.. Pinkerton put a shadow" on
Rogers, and hurried back to Magnolia.
where he learned that on the day pre-
ceding the robbery Rogers had been
seen in Magnolia, where he had paid
his taxes, and in doing so had loitered
for some time in the treasurer's Of
fee. This also looked suspicious But.
on the other hand. search as he might,
the detective could ind nothing against
character, everyone testifying
to his entire respecta biHty.
Still unconvinced, Mr.. Pinkerton re-
turned to Council Bluffs where he was
informed by the man who had been
"shadowing' Rogers that several
strange men had been seen to enter
Rogers house, and had not been seen
to come out again. The watch was
continued more closely than ever, and
after four days Of patient wait
ing, Rogers, accompanied by three
strangers, was seen to leave the house
cautiously and take a West-boUnd train
on the Pacific railroad. One of these
men. a brawny, athletic fellow nearly
six feet tall, and about 2 8 years of age,
Mr.. Pinkerton shreWdIy suspected was
Frank Reno, although he could not be
certain, never having seen Frank
Reno. Feeling sure that If his suspi-
cions were correct, the men would III
ttnately return to Rogers house, Mr..
Pinkertoh did not follow them on the
train, but contented himself with keep
ing the strictest watch 70 their return.
The verw next morning the same four
men were discovered coming back to
the house from the direction of the
railroad. But at that hour no train
was due, which was a little curl
Gus; and another curious point
was that they were all covered
with mud and bore marks Of hav-
ing been engaged in some severe,
rough labor. The hour was early, the
dweIlers in Council Bluffs were not
yet astir. A little later the city was
thrown into a fever of excitement by
the news that the safe OF the county
treasurer at GIenWood, in Mills coun-
ty, about 30 miles distant, had been
robbed the previous night. No trace
had yet been got of the thieves. but
everything indicated that they were
the same men who had robbed the
safe at Magnolia. One remarkable
point of similarity in the two cases
was the means employed by the rob
bers in escaping, q haud-car having
been used also by the C4lenwood
thieves; and they, too, were believed
to have fed in the direction of Coun-
ell Bluffs. Investigation soon made
this absolutely certain. for the miss
ing hand-ear was found lying beside
the railroad a short distance from the
Council Bluffs station.
Putting these new disclosures be
side his previous suspicious and dis
&
strengthened in his distrust of the
man Rogers. and although the local
authorities to whom he revealed his
suspicious laughed at him, declaring
that Rogers was one OF the most re-
special bic citizens of the state, he re-
solved to attempt an arrest. Proceed
ing to Rogers house with all the force
ne could command he placed a guard
at front and rear. and then, with a
few attendants made his way inside
The first person he met was Mr..
Rogers himself, who affected to be
very indignant at the Intrusion
who have you in this house .,
asked Mr.. Pinkerton.
Nobody but my family" answered
Mr.. Rogers.
Wen see about that answered
Mr.. Pinkerton. and then. turning to
his men. he ordered them to search
the premises.
They did so. and soon came upon
the three strangers. who were taken