Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 2, Number 52, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 April 1859 — The Prather Family-Four Brothers Convicted. [ARTICLE]

The Prather Family-Four Brothers Convicted.

L ist week, ii, the Cra.vford Circuit Comt. at Leavenworth, J.ickev Prath r, R nsselaer Prather, Pleasant Prather and William Prather, four brothers, were convicted and senten ed to the pen ten’iary for two years each, lor horse stealing. One other brotfier, Thomas, who was also indicted, died some time ag >in the jail at Leavenworth. Jonathan, another brother, was also indicted, but has not been arrested. The father of ibis interesting family, and still another son, are under indictment in the perrv Circuit Court lor the same offence; the old scamp and the lather of scamps being now in j.ii at Rome ! await ing his trial. Taken altogether, this Prather family, consisting of lathe r and 'seven sons, have but lew equals. They i have resided for a long time in the upper I part of Perry county, in a secluded spot, at d : tor a long tune have been suspected of dishonest piactices; but Irorn their number and maliciousness ol their character, the citizens of that portion of country were deterred from instituting legal inquiries i ito their habits of lite, and s a general thin j, avoided their residence and society, whi h enabled i them for a long time o carry on their thievj ish mode of life, by which they amassed a Considerable amount ol property. The lather of this family ol thieves, is a remarkable specimen of humanity. From . some rbeumatic affection he is drawn into I every conceivable ill shape, and has been . confined to Lis bed for the last tiiteen years, [ being unable to use any of his members ex- ! cept his hands and his tongue, the fattei o which lie u.-esvvith great facility. While nis afflictions of the body prevented him from engug ng in the active operations of liis business, lie w s nevertheless the ruling spirit of the lan, and is supposed to have planned every e pedition or toray upon the property and even lives of the peon e; for they are strongly suspected of having disposed of several indi.'du Js for the s.ike o: their money. The persons engaged in breaking up this desperate clan ol outlaws are entitled to the gratitude of the people. Corydon Democrat.