Seymour, Indiana And The Famous Story Of The Reno Gang Who Terrorized America With The First Train Robberies In World History. Carefully Gathered From Old Books, Newspapers, Court Records, Documents, Atlases, Historical Almanacs, And Authentic Accounts By Robert W. Shields.

ROBERT W. SHIELDS

Publication: Indianapolis: H Lieber & Co, 1939,

First edition. Quarto. Stiff printed wrappers, cloth spine, [10], 45 pp., illustrated, folding map. Pages printed one side only. Six Guns 1998 says "Scarce." "One of the few books written about the Renos. It is reliable." The Reno Gang operated in southern Indiana and the Midwest immediately after the Civil War. They engaged in various crimes including theft, robbery, counterfeiting, and violence.

The brothers, Frank, John, Simeon and William, planned and executed some of the earliest organized robberies of moving trains in American history, most famously the October 6, 1866 robbery near Seymour. Their activities terrorized the local region, effectively holding the town of Seymour "hostage," and created widespread fear and lawlessness. Shields' account combines criminal acts with descriptions of how local citizens, law officers, and private detectives (such as the Pinkertons) responded. Public outrage culminated in vigilante action and lynchings of gang members.

In addition to the criminal episodes, the book also explores the history and development of Seymour, embedding the Reno story in broader regional and transportation history.

Very good copy housed in a a matching cloth slipcase with titles on a cloth label affixed to the front cover..