D:Train Robbery - King & Ownes Trial 1866

 

Franklin County, Kentucky - 1866
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TRAIN ROBBERY  and  KING & OWENS TRIAL
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In 1866 Simpson County, Missouri, and Franklin County, Kentucky were in a state of turmoil and suffering, resulting from the aftermath of the "War between The States" or better known as the CIVIL WAR, as we now call it.  Families were divided neighbors were divided, in fact the whole state of Missouri was divided during the war.  Simpson County had been harassed by bands of guerrilla's, and men had been shot and killed while sitting quietly at home.  Many former soldiers and guerrilla's were still using their knowledge of arms and fighting, learned in the war,  and had formed outlaw bands.  Some to avenge wrongs some to protest or protect their rights, and some turned their efforts to more lucrative gains, and deeds of violence.

Frank and Jesse James were born in the adjoining county of Logan, and were known to have friends and relatives in Simpson County, where they visited at times, and were later accused of robberies in this area. But were never mentioned as being connected with there two robberies. And there is some doubt that they were connected with some that were accused of robberies. Raids upon express and passenger trains proved to be profitable for some of these bands, and the "The Louisville and Nashville Railroad", which runs through Simpson and Franklin counties, came in for it's share, and officers of the law had not been very successful in their attempts to trace down and catch these marauders.   Railroad detectives had been hired to track them down, but without success.

On October 11, 1866 three men wrecked the pay train at Bristow, Kentucky, just north of Bowling Green.  Then had loosened some of the rails, attached wires to the rails, hen hid in the bushes along the track, holding the other end of the wires, as the train neared the place they would pull on the wires, dislodging the train rails and wrecking the train.  The total amount of money taken in this robbery was $8,264.70.   The railroad offered a reward of two thousand dollars, plus one fourth of any moneys recovered, but he robbers were not apprehended.

Soon after this robbery a group of young men in Simpson County got together to plan a robbery.  They had probably heard of the successful robbery at Bristow, or some may have been involved in that robbery.   Some of these men were closely related to my family "The Finns", and I have heard much of this story from my grandmother, Martha Ellen Orvis, who was born in 1854, and was 12 years old at the time.  She knew about everyone involved in the robbery.

At their planning meeting the robbers were all sworn to secrecy, and it was agreed that if any one of them should tell, that a drawing would be held to decide who would kill the one who talked.  They planned to meet at the Hays Mill, on Drakes Creek, on the night of November 8, 1866.   From there they would proceed to Salmons Station, about four miles north of Franklin, where they would rob the L & N express train that was due to come through there about 2 a.m., in the morning.

Another robbery had been attempted at this same site on April 27, 1863.  When a band of thirty guerrillas attacked a train here at Salmon, but were driven off by a hundred Federal Soldiers concealed aboard the train to combat just such attacks.  Several of the guerrillas were killed or wounded.  Not all of the group showed up on the night mentioned, but thirteen men did come to Hays Mill, then they rode to Salmon, where they proceeded to pull the spikes from one rail, but before they could loosen any more rails, the train was heard coming.  So they hurriedly piled some loose rails and rocks on the track, and hid in the woods about three hundred yards back from the rail road.

Stephen L. Stewart, the engineer of the train saw things on the track, when he came within sight of Salmon, and three his engine in reverse in an effort to stop.  This saved many life's, but the train headlight on engines in those days were not so strong, so he was unable to avert a wreck.  The Fireman jumped from the engine cab, and escaped unhurt, then hid in the bushes.  The engine was derailed, the express car was thrown down the embankment with one end resting back on the track, and the baggage car piled on top of it.   The second class passenger cars and Pullman's car remained on the track.

There was no loss of life, but the wrecked express car caught fire, from an overturned stove, and because of the fire, the robbers were unable to get to the safe, which contained twenty five thousand dollars, and the money was saved.   But the fire spread to the baggage car and second class cars, and they were destroyed before the flames could be extinguished.

Mr. Charles Rice, the conductor went forward to learn the cause of the trouble, and was met my a group of men with blackened faces, and heavily armed.   They had on spurs, and wore their pantaloons stuffed into their boots, and belts around their waists.  One passenger stuck his head out a window to see what was going on and was rewarded by a bullet whizzing close by his head.  The robbers were very boisterous, and seemed to be new at this kind of business.   Their leader, who seemed to keep rather aloof from the activity of the group, was a large man, judged to weigh around possibly two hundred pounds, with a blood red comforter girdling his waist, and hanging at his side.

The robbers placed themselves at the doors of the wrecked coaches, and then forced the passengers into the adjoining car, keeping them covered with pistols all the while.  They then went through the empty cars, piling up the luggage and clothing, while searching for anything of value, and concealed money.  Many of the passengers saved considerable amounts, by hiding their money and valuables in their boots and other places before the robbers could get to them.

The robber who took the money and valuables from the passengers was a little man, with two of the other robbers at his side.  They enforced his demands by placing the muzzles of their pistols to the heads of those who seemed at all reluctant to part with their possessions.

After relieving the passengers of all that they deemed worthwhile, they went to the baggage car, where they took a number of valises, and as they left the scene, they shouted that the first who stepped out upon the platform would die for his efforts.  Then they road off into the woods, looking back now and then at the burning wreckage they had wrought. 

The light from the burning cars was seen in Franklin, and caused much excitement.  As soon as news of the robbery became know, a special train which had been engaged by Mile Lipman for the transportation of his circus, was offered for the use of the passengers, and with a squad aboard it, reached the seen about daylight

Feelings throughout the state ran high, and newspapers editorialized on the crimes and destruction's of marauding bands.  The Frankfort, Kentucky "Tri-Weekly Yoeman" said, "These graceless scoundrels should be exterminated in short order, during a state of war, such as cursed the country in recent years, communities were compelled to submit to the outrages of these predatory bands of marauders, but it does seem to us that in a state of peace, as at present, the people should be able to rid themselves of these brigands."

Ira J. Bogan, the sheriff of Simpson County, and his deputy, John Howell went to work on the case, and began to turn up bits of evidence about the robbery.  And then a young man was found murdered in the woods along Lick Creek.  He had been shot, and the hogs, which were allowed to loose in those days, had eaten part of him before he was found.  He was identified as a young Harvey King., and it was later proved that he was one of the robbers.  He had drank a bit to much one day and talked to much, and to loud.  The oath had been broken, and according to agreement, he was executed.

John Prather, who lived on the hill above Lick Creek, on the road to Hillsdale, from Franklin, told that he had loaned a pistol to Abe Owens and Bill King, a day before the murder was committed, and it was thought to be the murder weapon.   So Abraham Owens and William P King, a older brother of the murdered man, were arrested and charged with murder.  Then several others were arrested and lodged in jail in Franklin.  Stephen Cornwell, only 17 years old, the youngest member of the band, was one of them.  Also J. B. Evans another member, and both of these talked very freely, implicating others of the band.

According to court records of "The Commonwealth of Kentucky", Abner "Pub" Owens, brother of Abe, was arrested but someone posted bail for him, and he left the country.  His bail was set for $1,000.00, but records show that it was reduced to $750.00 after he skipped, and his bondsman had to pay the court.  Later it was learned that Abner Owens was shot and killed on his way west.

Wesley Finn was one of the others arrested in connection with the robbery, and his bail was set at $1,000.00.  His father Peter Finn was a wealthy land owner in Simpson County, having once owned hundreds of acres on the east side of Lick Creek, and was also reported to have owned a large bag of silver and gold.  According to stories told about this time, Peter's two oldest boys were trying to lift the heavy bang of coins, and the younger brother, King "Bud" Finn wanted to try it.  He was only about seven years old, and his brothers placed the bag on his back, which broke his thigh in two places, and made him a cripple for life

Peter Finn posted bail for his son Wesley, and several of his friends it was said, and Wesley left the country and went to Arkansas.  He settled in Eureka Springs, Changing his name to White.   As John White he raised a family of eleven children.  He was never apprehended on the robbery charge, and died at the age of 80 years old in 1919.  Peter Finn, his father, died as a pauper, at the age of 70.   It was said that all this trouble was what broke him.

Trail for Abe Owens and Bill King, was set for January 7, 1867.   Judge Bates Glasgow would try the case, and the prosecution consisted of the Hon. John A Finn, who was Speaker of the House for Kentucky, Charles W. Miliken, Judge Loving from Bowling Green, and W. W. Bush. 

The defense consisted of W. L. Underwood, of Bowling Green., H. H. Skiles, and George W. Whitesides of Franklin, and B. C. Grider, who was a brother to Bill King's commanding officer, when he was in the service.  William P. "Bill" King had been a Captain in the 52nd, Kentucky Mounted Infantry during the Civil War, and care from a prominent family.  He was a nephew of Governor Casey of Illinois.

The Jury was picked, and their names were, William W. Meguiar, C. R. Peden, William Martin, A. S. Perkins, Tilman Norris, G. T. Tisdale, James Dinning, Isaah Lewis, William Stewart Sr. , J. M. Newland, W. S. Brothick, and J. C. Wangonnor,   George C. Rogers presided.  It was the most famous trial the county had ever seen.  The courthouse would not hold all of the people that came.

There were twenty-one witness for the prosecution, and thirty or more for the defense.  J. B.. Evans and Stephen Cornwell turned states evidence, and testified against King and Owens and the others, making the evidence against them strong, and they were convicted of murder in the first degree, and sentenced to be hanged on March 22, 1867.  The others tried were cleared of the murder change, but several were convicted on the robbery charge.  They served time in prison.  Evans and Cornwell were allowed to go free for their testimony.

A new trial was sought, but the plea was turned down.   However it did get a delay in the hanging.   A new date was set for May 18, 1867.

On April 11th, when the jailer went to the jail cell where King, Owens and another prisoner, named John Colbert, were being held to serve them a meal, as he opened the door, he said they jumped on him like tigers.  Knocked him down and ran from the jail.  Three soldiers were guarding outside the jail, and they fired at the fleeing men.  Bill King was hit in the arm by a minnie ball, but managed to make good his escape.  Owens and Colbert gave  up and were returned to jail.

The search for Bill King was made throughout the afternoon, and finally a small colored boy told an officer that he had seen a man run into a basement on Main Street, and showed him the house.  The house was surrounded and the basement searched, King was found there and returned to jail.  His wife Mrs. King went to Governor, Thomas E. Bramlette at Frankfort claiming to have some new evidence, and the Governor stayed the hanging a second time.  The new date set was June 27, 1867.

A new trail was again turned down, and on June 27, 1867 William P King and Abraham Owens rode down the streets of Franklin, Kentucky sitting on their coffins, to the corner of Cherry and Railroad Streets, where a gallows had been erected.

William King was a very handsome young man, just 30 years old, five feet seven inches tall, weight about 145 pounds, with dark hair and brown eyes.  Abraham Owens was only twenty-two years old, five feet and eleven inches tall, he had fair hair with gentle blue eyes, he weighed about 165 pounds.  They were both asked if they had anything to say before the sentence was carried out, and they both made a talk, maintaining their innocence to the last.   William King made a very beautiful speech and a rather long one.  He said that he believed he knew who committed the murder that they were accused of but would die before telling.

Practically the whole county turned out to see the hanging, the largest crowd Franklin had every seen.  The boys were asked if they wanted blindfolds, and both refused.  As the trap door was sprung William King gave a leap which broke his neck, but Abraham fell straight down through the trap and struggled for what seemed a long time.

So the famous King and Owen affair ended on this sunny day in June of 1867.

Judge Lynch, of Franklin wrote that he had received sometime later the news that J. B. Evans had been lynched in one of the western states, and before he died confessed to killing a man in Kentucky for which two other men were hang.

These are the records of Connie Henson Finn and James Gilbert Buchanan, story written by, James Buchanan who is a great grandson of Elizabeth "Sis" Finn, 1850 - 1909 and Ms. Thelma Finn Johnson, great grand daughter of King "Bud" Finn,   1845 - 1909.  Her father and mother gathered most of this information over the years and after their deaths she compiled it into this wonderful family story.  Thank ALL of You for sharing this family history with us.

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Saturday, April 05, 2003  11:08:59 AM