The weekly tribune and the Cape County herald. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1914-1918, 1917-02-15
SAM HILDEBRAND
SLAYER dies In
LOSANCELES,C
John NJ. Ragland Killed Fam.
Gus Outlaw. But Didn't
Know it.
BANDIT KNOWN HERE
RIVALED JESSE JAMES
Life of Y. c. Frissell's Brother
Once Spared by Band
Leader.

brand, the famous outlaw, whose
depredations in Southeast Missouri
rivaIed the James Boys in Northern
Missouri, died a few days ago in Los
Angeles, Calf, where he went from
Benton, ILL.,. several years ago.
F. A. Wigs, editor of the Lutes-
vile Banner, who was a close friend of
Ragland, has Just learned of his death.
Ragland became the hero of Southern
Illinois and Southeast Missouri by
Staying the bandit.
Ragland was a 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 a posse lynched his brother,
who was accused Of horse stealing.
am Hiherbrand 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
Roland, 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 SUP
rounded that city and the Union forces
were not strong enough to drive them
bark. The troops from this city were
enrnute to Bloomfield to reinforce the
i'nion army, and had camped for the
night at Round Pond. While asleep
the Boland brothers entered camp and
mastered all but a negro cook, who
escaped after a thrilling experience.
and told the story of the tragedy.
Nath Boland was captured b. a
posse few weeks later and hanged.
There are many stories related
among early residents of Cape Girar-
deau concerning the activities of Sam
Hiderbrand. Amos Frissell, brother
Of ". c. FrisSell, the weli-krown civil
engineer, Joined in the campaign of
citizens to exter1ninate Hilderbrand
and his gang. He knew Hilderbrand
and was personally liked by Hilder-
brand. n. C. Frissell relates story
Of his brothers experience with Hi
derbrand. Amos F1issell led a posse
in search of Hilderbrand. The Cit
zens met the outlaw in an open field
ana opened fire upon him. He replied
and pat the posse to flight. Frissell,
in his efforts to escape, stumbled and
rolled down hill. Hilderbrand, who
had known Frissell in youth, did not
want to iniure him, and instead of
shooting Mr.. Frissell, he aimed his rifle
so that the bullets would get close
enough to brighten FTissell, but not
touch him. It is said that FriSsell
was so badly scared that he could
hardly articulate after the encounter.
DR.. C. A. Peterson of Frederick
town, organized a posse to capture
Hilderbrand, and in a pitched battle |
which followed, resulted in several be-
ing wounded. Peterson and Hilder-
brand fought a duel, and Peterson sue
ceeded in wounding the bandit, but the |
outlaw escaped after seriously wound |
ing several of his pursuers. DR.. Peter |
son who later became the head of a |
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
tured the famous bandit until after he
had killed him. Ragland was known
as the fighting constable" because of
his ability to attack and capture noted
criminals. He was notified by farm
ers that three bandits were camped
in the hills few miles from Pinckney-
vile, H., and were committing many
outrages. Ragland deputized two men
to assist him, and drove out 10 the
bandits camp. Before they were dis
covered they dismounted and crept up
on the three outlaws as they were
cooking their evening meal over a
camp fire. The outlaws were arrested