The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-02-23
Man Who Killed
Sam Hildebrand

John II. Raglard, who became ia
nous in 1872 by killing Sam Hide
brand, the famous outlaw, whose dep
relations in Southeast Missouri riv
al the James Boys in Northern Mis-
souri,, died few days ago in Los An.
geles, Calf, where he went from
Benton, ILL.,, several years ago.
+. A. Wigs, editor of the Lutes-
vile Banner, who was close friend
of Ragland, has just learned of his
death. Ragland became the hero of
Southern Illinois and Southeast Mis-
souri, by Staying the bandit.
Ragland was constable at Pinck-
NEVILLE, ILL.,, when he shot Hilder-
brand. The noted outlaw operated in
the counties of Southeast Missouri and
Southwest Illinois, and made regular
| pilgrimages from one State to the
other. His permanent headquarters,
however, were in cave on Big River,
near Bonnie Terre, Mo.
According to reports of early set
tiers, Hilderbrand became an outlaw
because posse lynched his brother,
who was accused of horse stealing.
Sam Hilderbrand swore vengeance on
the members of the posse and is said
to have assassinated all but one of
them.
Hilderbrand's band committed many
outrages during the Civil War period.
During the war period Hilderbrand's
band joined the Boland Brothers, who
were also desperate outlaws. Nath
Boland, who planned the massacre of
the members of the Cape Girardeau
militia, at Round Pond, was Hilder-
brands closest advisers. The destruc-
ton of the militia at Round Pond,
about half way between Cape Girar-
deau and Bloomfield, is historic. The
military authorities at Cape Girar-
deau were notified by a courier from
Bloomfield that the Rebels had sur
rounded that city and the Union fore
es were not strong enough to drive
them back. The troops from this city
were en- route to Bloomfield to rein
force the Union army and had camp
ed for the night at Round Pond. While
asleep, the Boland brothers entered
camp and massacred all but a negro
cook, who escaped after a thrilling ex-
perience, and told the story of the ira
gedy.
Nath Bcland was captured by pos
Sc a few weeks later and hanged.
There are many stories related
among the early residents of Cape Gil
rardeau concerning the activities of
Sam Hilderbrand. Anon Frissell,
brother of N. c. Frissell, the we'll
known civil engineer, joined in the
campaign of citizens to exterminate
Hilderbrand and his gang. He knew
Hillderbrand and was personally liked
by Hilderbrand. N. C. Frissell re-
lates story of his brothers expert
ence with Hilderbrand. Amos Fris-
sell led a posse in search for Hilder-
brand. The citizens met the outlaw
in an open field and opened fire upon
him. He replied and put the posse to
flight. Frissell, in his effort to es-
cape, stumbled and rolled down hill.
Hilderbrand, who had known Frissell
in youth, did not want to injure him,
and instead of shooting Mr.. Frissell
he aimed his rifle SO that the bullet
would get close enough to brighten
Frissell but not touch him. 1t is said
that Frissell was so badly scared that
he could hardly artieulate after the en-
counter.
DIR. C. A. Peterson of Frederick
town organized a posse to capture
and in a pitched battle
which followed, resulted in several |
being wounded. Peterson and Hilder-
brand fought duel, and Peterson
in wounding the bandit, but
the outlaw escaped after seriously |
wounding several of his pursuers. DR..
Peterson, who later became the head
Of st. Louis detective agency, died
IN that city two years ago.
John H. Ragland, who slew Hilder-
brand, did not know that he had cap
,ured the famous bandit until after he
1ad killed him. Ragland was known
as the fighting constable, because
Of his ability to attack and capture
noted criminals. He was notified by
,al mers that three bandits were camp
I'd in the hills few miles from Pinck-
leyville, ILL.,, and were committing
many outrages, Ragland deputized
,wo men to assist him, and drove out
20 the bandits camp. Before they
we're discovered they dismounted and
,rept upon the three outlaws as they
we're cooking their evening meal ov-
II a camp fire. The outlaws were ar
ested and the officers started back to
with them. A short dis
ance from the town, Hilderbrand at
empted to escape. He attacked Rag
and with long knife, stabbing the
Unstable in the right hip. The officer
hot the bandit through the head. The
ody was taken to Pinckneyville were
was identified as that Of Hilder-
rand. The Identification was made
y man who at one time had been ac-
with the bandit. The iden-
ification was acknowledged by the
wo men captured with Hilderbrand.
Metropolitan newspapers and maya
ines devoted much space to the killing
f the notorious outlaw, who rivaled
esse and Frank James.
Ragland several years ago moved
0 California for his health. His re-
emit death was the result principally
old age.-Cape Girardeau Tribune.
IMPORTANT TO TRAVELLERS