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The Banditti of the Prairie also, known as "The Prairie Bandits," "Pirates of the Prairie," "Prairie Pirates," or simply "The Banditti," in the U.S. state of Illinois, were a group of loose-knit outlaw gangs during the early-mid-19th century.〔, Ogle County Courthouse, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Retrieved March 5, 2007.〕 Though bands of roving criminals were common in many parts of Illinois, the counties of Lee, DeKalb, Ogle, and Winnebago were especially affected by them.〔Channick, Herbert S. (The Regulators and the Prairie Bandits ), ''Illinois Heritage'', 2002, Illinois Periodicals Online, Northern Illinois University Libraries. Retrieved March 5, 2007.〕 In the year 1841, the escalating pattern of house burglary, horse and cattle theft, stagecoach and highway robbery, counterfeiting, and murder associated with the Banditti had come to a head in Ogle County. As the crimes continued, local citizens formed bands of vigilantes known as Regulators. The clash between the Banditti and the Regulators in Ogle County resulted in a lynching near Oregon, Illinois, and decreased Banditti activity within the county. Banditti and Regulator activity continued well after the lynching that took place in 1841. Crimes continued, committed by both sides, across northern/central Illinois. The Banditti were involved in other notable events as well, including the 1845 torture-murder of merchant, Colonel George Davenport, the namesake of Davenport, Iowa. Edward Bonney, an amateur detective who hunted down and brought to justice the killers, wrote of his exploits and alibi, which were recounted in his book, ''Banditti of the Prairies, or the Murderer's Doom!!: A Tale of the Mississippi Valley,'' published in Chicago in 1850. The outlaw gangs also continued to be active in Lee and Winnebago counties following the events in Oregon. ==Banditti influence== The Prairie Bandits were active across northern Illinois, especially in Lee, Ogle, Winnebago, and DeKalb counties, from around 1835 until the events leading to their ultimate demise began on March 21, 1841.〔 The Bandits wielded considerable influence in the area, collectively known as the Rock River Valley, following the influx of immigrants after the 1832 Black Hawk War. Former Illinois Governor Thomas Ford wrote in ''History of Illinois'': In Lee County the Banditti also had enough power to get away unnoticed. The group had enough allies that they were scattered throughout the county. The connections the Banditti had around the county made illegal activities such as counterfeiting and dealing in and concealing stolen property easy to perpetrate.〔"(The Banditti )," Stories & Articles, ''Lee County Historical Society''. Retrieved July 7, 2007.〕 It was reported that at one time every township officer in Lee County was a member of the Banditti. Acts of theft were carried on in defiance of authority. Citizens were threatened when they tried to seek redress from the thieves.〔 In the end the Prairie Bandits' activity in Ogle and Lee County became more than area residents were willing to withstand. In Ogle County the crimes that occurred in March 1841 resulted in a kangaroo court which culminated with the lynching of two Banditti near Oregon, Illinois.〔, National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, HAARGIS Database, Illinois Preservation Agency. Retrieved March 5, 2007.〕 In nearby Lee County, a Vigilance Committee was formed by men from throughout Lee County, and especially Lee Center Township took an active role in suppressing the Banditti activity.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Banditti of the Prairie」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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