Year: 1874

AT the lOur OF mlunlBDt, u nohNy uiirt IOhou
inward from the shores of the Mississippi, and
in Its foremost wreaths glided a stealthy figure
towards the hut where slept the youthful rob-
Der, who had already gained for himself the
complimentary title OF the Wolf of the Prairles'
The new conner 10 the cabin evinced the same
caution in his approaches as had been exhibited
by John Long, and was admitted with the same
formaties. On entering he threw aside a
blanket which enveloped his form, and having
ascertained that Long was in the dwelling, he
called for drink. 10 correct the fog from his
nostrils and his throat. The appearance OF
this man was rather more prepossessing than
that OF Long. lie did not seem to be over
twenty-five years Of age, was taller than the
prairie wolf by some two inches, and though OF
1.-THE and active form, had broad well made
chest which gave an indication of great strength.
His hair was light auburn in its color, his eyes
were line blue. while upon bis cheek there
resided bloom which not only stood the flag
OF health, but the criterion Of beauty. This
man was Robert II. Burch, whom Long had
spoken OF as Tom, and who, with Fox had
been the intimate associate Of Longs most
desperate enterprises, for a period Of five
years.


There was cause and reason Tor the COM
panionship. The father of the former and old
owen had been born in North Carolina, and
after pursuing separate careers of crime IN that
quarter. had emigrated nearly at the same time
to the west Each raised brood which he
dedicated 10 the purpose OF CRIME, and the
young aGders as they grew up in vicious
strength, naturally coiled together. The father
of Birch. or the ''Old Coon" as he was known
by the inhabitants of Clark county, Illinois. was
a man Of extraordinary shrewdness and though
he had the reputation of being continually en-
gagged 10 crime, no danger had ever tracked
him TO bis door step, or placed him in peril of
the Lax authority OF the region IN which he
lived. People looked askant at HIM, and whis-
pers would pass from mouth to mouth az he
went by, but no accuser arraigned him. or Of
ficer ventured to put him under arrest. on sus-
picion Of a particular offense. At the period
Of which we speak he had become exceedingly
feeble with age, and exhibited state OF sordid
wretchedness IN his apparel, which did not ac-
cord with the general idea Of his Vicious power,
but it was said by many that these defects were
assumed. and that there was still enough latent
vgor IN his frame to make him capable of en-.
terprises requiring large supply Of physical
endurance.


HIS residence was about nine miles south
east OF Marshall the county town OF Clark
county, Illinois, and was masked from regular
approach by dense forest OF mere than mile
in depth. There he had reared his family, and
from this gloomy lair he had sent them forth
as they arrived at active age, to tear their living
in violent instaments from the world He
had three sons. or rather he had reared three
to manhood, though at the time when Robert
is introduced to our notice. the eldest had met
with violent death in Texas, in one of the
strites congenia to his bloody calling He had
made descent with party of rough riders
upon an old mans plantation on the Colorado
river. and after having murdered his family IN
cold blood, burnt his dwelling to the ground
The country became aroused for miles around
at the atrocity of the act, and band of mount
ed regulators was formed to hunt the perpe-





several days. and at length two of the scattered
marauders were shot while they were in fight
The result with Jack Birch. however, was more
gratifying to his pursuers. llc was hunted into
morass, and brought to bay After dicharg-
ing all his pistols lie fought while standing to
Ills waist III water, and did not yield until he
had received thee shots Revengeful forbear-
ance spared him from being cut down from
where he Stood and putting "a rope about his
neck, led bin back, in saddle to the scene OF
his crime They hung HIM on high limb az
night, and before hosting him to his DOOM
thrust their blazing torches into his face But
he never quailed," said the father with con-
scious pride when he would relate the story,
"he cursed them as lie went into the air and
died like man OF the true grit"


The younger son OF the Old Coon was named
Tim, and remained mostly at the station near
Marshall with his father He was Just of age,
and not evinciDg that aptness IN felonious bus
mess enjoyed by his two seniors, was never en-
trusted with any hazardous expedition, or sent
far from his fathers guardian supervision. A
Young girl OF sixteen, and an old woman of
squalid appearance made mp the circle of this
interesting family. Robert, however. was the
favorite son, the hope and pride of the family.
The old man doated on hlm, and 1t was the
surest course to his regard to compliment that
scion of the stock. Well might his perverted
admiration dwell on him. lie had begun his
felonious career at the age OF fifteen. and run
ming scot free of all danger had arrived at man
hood with name for prowess and audaclty OF
effort. second to none among all the marauders
OF the western region. Though no braver
than the elder brother who had been hung in
Texas, he was more formidable. and there was
behind his fine blue eye larger fund OF mind.
He could conceive better and when his design
was executed he could cover up hls track with
more skill and surety. There we're but two
weaknesses which had ever betrayed him to the
condemnation of his admirers and confederates;
these we're an extraordinary fondness for dress,
and loquacity that was continually itching for
self display in every circle in which he found
himself. The first fault subjected him TO the
peril Of identification, and the second was
dangerous because likely to put surmise upon
every angle of his conversation, to hunt his
secret to the centre. a man who talks great
deal Is continually opening avenues to his de-