Indiana Resident Surprised at Lost or Fogotten History

I recently received this email from another Indiana resident:

"Dave,

I enjoyed your book very much! I was not aware of such activities in the great state of Indiana.

If you put out any other books, let me know.

Lowell - Indianapolis"

This reader felt the same way I did after I began researching the Reno Brothers Gang story many months ago. I lived in Indiana for over 40 years and had never read any books or been taught about this infamous chapter in history. Moreover, once I discovered a few of the books written on the topic, none had ventured into the social dynamics and key players which lead to the mass murders in Indiana.

Most Vigilante movements are later suppressed due to shame and fear of presecution, as many who participated in them are still living to this day. This is not the case for the Reno Gang murderers, but grandchildren and great grandchildren of the Jackson County or Southern Indiana Vigilante Society are still living in and around Seymour, Indiana.

I've spoken to other authors and researchers about the reluctance of many southern Indiana residents to talk openly about the Reno saga beyond the train robberies. They, like me, believe that most do not want to relive the crimes of the past. My personal belief is that ignoring the past can lead to similar mistakes in the future.

Could American people ever become Vigilantes again? Anarchy in the Heartland was written to explore this distinct possibility, for the ingredients which made them possible in 1868 are still with us today; poverty, crime, political corruption, lack of law enforcement and well-protected wealth amongst a limited few.