reno farm land wilkison family true west magazine
Reno farm.

By 1865, the Wilkison Reno family owned more land than anyone else in Jackson County, IN.  They got it the old fashioned way: crime.

The acquired much of it by burning out the town of Rockford, then buying up the property at rock bottom prices.  They also used the proceeds from train and county treasury robberies, extortion, counterfeiting and more to purchase sections in and around the town of Seymour.  

By 1869, most of the outlaw Renos were dead or in jail. The rest of the family was forced to sell the ill-gained properties.

https://truewestmagazine.com/reno-gangs-disappearing-money/

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