Reno Gang facts for kids

The Reno Gang, also known as the Reno Brothers Gang, was a group of outlaws. They were active in the Midwestern United States during and right after the American Civil War. Even though they were around for only a short time, they made history. They carried out the first three train robberies in the U.S. during peacetime. Most of the money they stole was never found.

The gang came to an end in 1868. Ten of its members were killed by angry groups of people called vigilantes. These killings caused big problems between the U.S., Canada, and Great Britain. News of what happened spread around the world. No one was ever punished for these killings.

The Reno Brothers have been shown in several movies. One famous movie was Elvis Presley's first film, Love Me Tender, from 1956. Elvis played one of the brothers, Clint.

The Reno Gang's Story

The Reno Gang was started by brothers Frank and John Reno in 1864. They were from Seymour, Indiana. At first, they were involved in smaller crimes. But they soon became known for something much bigger.

The First Train Robberies

The Reno Gang became famous for robbing trains. They were the first to do this in the U.S. during peacetime. Their first big train robbery happened in October 1866. They stopped an Ohio and Mississippi Railway train in Indiana. They got away with a lot of money.

They continued to rob trains and even banks. Their crimes spread across southern Indiana, Missouri, and Iowa. This made them very well-known.

How the Gang Ended

The gang's actions made many people angry. Law enforcement and private detective agencies, like the Pinkertons, hunted them. In 1868, several gang members were caught.

Angry groups of citizens, called vigilantes, took matters into their own hands. They broke into jails where Reno Gang members were held. They then killed ten of the gang members. These events were very shocking at the time.

The killings caused a big stir around the world. Even though many people knew about the lynchings, no one was ever charged. The Reno Gang's story ended quickly but left a lasting mark on history.

The Reno Gang in Movies and Music

The story of the Reno Gang has inspired many artists. Their adventures have been shown in films and songs.

• Rage at Dawn is a 1955 movie about the gang. It stars Randolph Scott as a detective.
• Love Me Tender is a 1956 movie where Elvis Presley played Clint Reno. This was Elvis's first movie role.
• The song "Ballad of a Well-Known Gun" by Elton John mentions the Reno Gang. It talks about running from the law.
• "The First Train Robbery" is a song by Larry Cordle. It tells the story from one of the Reno brothers' viewpoints.
• The Legend of the Reno Brothers is a documentary film from 2013. It explores the gang's history.