AFTER-DEATH SIGHTINGS OF SAM HILDEBRAND

The following article concerning Sam Hildebrand was published in the Democrat-Register newspaper of Bonne Terre, St. Francois County, Missouri,
on June 23, 1905.

SAM HILDEBRAND SAID TO HAVE BEEN SEEN IN TEXAS.
VERNON, TEX., June 18 -- Sam Hilderbrand (sic), the aged and notorious outlaw who has been evading officers of the law for forty years, is said to have called at a store near the crossing of the Red river yesterday. He was recognized, but he disappeared before officers could be notified.

Hilderbrand (sic) and his brother committed many robberies and other depredations in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas in the 60's. Frank Hilderbrand was captured and hanged. Sam avenged the death of his brother by murdering two of the men who were concerned in his capture. At the heard of a band of outlaws he made his rendezvous in Indian Territory and the wilds of Arkansas, and committed many bloody deeds.

It is claimed that the records show that he committed, single-handed, twenty-seven murders. He disappeared in 1872, and it was supposed that he was dead until a few days ago when he was discovered, it is said, living on a farm near Lawton, Okla. His identify was clearly established, and a warrant sworn out for arrest. Before it could be served the old man disappeared. A description was sent to all of the towns of this section, and this led to his being recognized yesterday when he called at a store for provisions ---[Globe-Democrat, St. Louis, Missouri].

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The following article concerning Sam Hildebrand was published in the Democrat-Register newspaper of Bonne Terre, Missouri, on July 7, 1905.

IS HE DEAD?
The St. Louis papers are devoting a good deal of space as to whether Sam Hilderbrand (sic) is dead or not and as to whether he is buried in St. Francois County. Mr. George Helderbrand, formerly sheriff of Madison county, has this to say in regard to the same: "Sam Helderbrand (sic) was not killed in Illinois, as reported years ago, and his body is not buried in St. Francois county, Mo."

Old Man Boyer and Billy Townsend of Madison county, were intimate friends of his cousin Sam and that about fifteen years ago Billy Townsend moved to Arkansas, and after he had been there a few years Old Man Boyer received a letter from him saying "Our old friend Preacher Morgan (the name by which Sam was known to his intimate friends) spent the night with me. He is in good health and on his way to Texas." Continuing, Mr. Helderbrand said:

"The body buried in St. Francois county was never identified as that of Sam Helderbrand. His son who was called to St. Francois county to identify the body, could not do it. He said it looked like his father in some respects, and in others it did not, and that was as far as the identification went.

"If Sam Helderbrand (sic) is dead," said George, "he has died in the last twelve months, and I don't think he is dead." ---Fredericktown Dem-News.