Reno Brothers Research Paper
Sarah McNeal
Lt. W Decker
Dual Credit US History
25 April 2016
Reno Brothers The period of time during and after the Civil War was extremely rough on everyone but the Reno brothers found a way to make it much worse. Julia Ann Reno and J. Wilkison were parents to five sons and one daughter. Frank, John, Simeon, Clinton, William, and Laura were all raised in an extremely religious home. Their parents, having been strict in their teachings would have most likely expected more from them than what they chose in their lives. (Weiser) Despite their religious upbringing, Frank, John, Simeon, and William took part in many horrific activities. It all started in their home town, Rockford, Indiana, where they would play “crooked card games” with travelers …show more content…
The Radar House, being the name of the hotel, was soon taken over and ran by the four brothers and many travelers became very unlucky, leaving penniless, if they even got to leave at all. All the brothers had been arrested a number of times but they ended up terrorizing or bribing the officers into being silent. Come July, 1865, Seymour Times posted a warning saying, “be wary of thieves and assassins that infest the place.” And also, “Nothing but lynch law will save the reputation of this place and citizens.” Though, nothing in Seymour truly stopped these brothers. …show more content…
It was said that a passenger by the name of George Kinney had witnessed the robbery and could identify at least two of the gang members. Though, the brothers were unaware that Adams Express Co. was partnered with Pinkerton Detective Agency. Due to the robbery, Allan Pinkerton, a national detective, was given their case and places detectives in the Seymour saloons surrounding the Radar House. An officer arrested John, Sim, and Frank on October 11, 1866 for the train robbery. (Cassidy) John had split from the brothers and headed to Missouri for Daviess County treasury, where he had opened two safes and stole $22,065. Soon enough, Pinkerton was on his trail and captured him, taking him back to Missouri. While John thought that his brother would be able to bail him out, they faced their own complications. Since John was captured, the brothers were angry and went on a rampage. They robbed post offices, treasuries, and banks. They almost bankrupted Magnolia, Iowa by stealing $14,000.
Lt. W Decker
Dual Credit US History
25 April 2016
Reno Brothers The period of time during and after the Civil War was extremely rough on everyone but the Reno brothers found a way to make it much worse. Julia Ann Reno and J. Wilkison were parents to five sons and one daughter. Frank, John, Simeon, Clinton, William, and Laura were all raised in an extremely religious home. Their parents, having been strict in their teachings would have most likely expected more from them than what they chose in their lives. (Weiser) Despite their religious upbringing, Frank, John, Simeon, and William took part in many horrific activities. It all started in their home town, Rockford, Indiana, where they would play “crooked card games” with travelers …show more content…
The Radar House, being the name of the hotel, was soon taken over and ran by the four brothers and many travelers became very unlucky, leaving penniless, if they even got to leave at all. All the brothers had been arrested a number of times but they ended up terrorizing or bribing the officers into being silent. Come July, 1865, Seymour Times posted a warning saying, “be wary of thieves and assassins that infest the place.” And also, “Nothing but lynch law will save the reputation of this place and citizens.” Though, nothing in Seymour truly stopped these brothers. …show more content…
It was said that a passenger by the name of George Kinney had witnessed the robbery and could identify at least two of the gang members. Though, the brothers were unaware that Adams Express Co. was partnered with Pinkerton Detective Agency. Due to the robbery, Allan Pinkerton, a national detective, was given their case and places detectives in the Seymour saloons surrounding the Radar House. An officer arrested John, Sim, and Frank on October 11, 1866 for the train robbery. (Cassidy) John had split from the brothers and headed to Missouri for Daviess County treasury, where he had opened two safes and stole $22,065. Soon enough, Pinkerton was on his trail and captured him, taking him back to Missouri. While John thought that his brother would be able to bail him out, they faced their own complications. Since John was captured, the brothers were angry and went on a rampage. They robbed post offices, treasuries, and banks. They almost bankrupted Magnolia, Iowa by stealing $14,000.