Ashley gang robbed bank at different corner
Our Dec. 17, 2009, column on the Ashley Restaurant drew this response from Josephine Paradise of Stuart:
“The 2/23/1915 robbery was not at the restaurant location but at the first Stuart bank, which was on the corner across from the Ashley Restaurant.
“This building is still there but now houses some kind of a fellowship
“My grandfather, John E. Taylor, was a bank teller during that first robbery and actually tried to talk John Ashley out of committing the robbery. “I have in my office two witness subpoenas for my grandfather to appear as a witness. “The second robbery, in 1924, was at the restaurant site.”
We also received this from Debbie Moore of Plant City:
“It upset me greatly, for the Ashley Gang wasn’t evil; they loved each other and many of their neighbors. However, Sheriff Baker had to be evil to the core; what could be more cruel than taking a dead man’s glass eye to use as a fob?
“John Ashley and my grandfather were cousins. My grandfather died when I was 3 so I don’t remember the stories he told about the Ashleys, only that he loved them.
“My grandfather worked for Tampa’s mobster, Charlie Wall. So did two of my cousins. But my Papa was the sweetest man I have ever known. And I imagine John Ashley was too.
“I don’t condone their actions of robbing and killing. But a man is worth more than his worst deeds.
“My mother is 87. She would never talk about the Ashley Gang or say much about my grandfather being a mobster because she was ashamed. But now she’s different and not so concerned about her image. So I just recently learned how closely related I am. “I went down to Stuart on Nov. 1, the anniversary of John’s and Hanford’s deaths, and put roses on their graves. I thought some of my relatives who live in Stuart might be there and I would get to meet them. But, other than a few golfers, we were the only people around. It was quite sad.”
Palm Beach Post file photo
The Ashley Gang was a band of smugglers, moonshiners and killers who lived in the area in the early 1900s. Among their crimes were robberies in 1915 and 1924.
Tags: Ashley Gang, notorious crimes
I just found a letter from my grandma dated May 8 1915 when they were traveling thru Wills Point, Texas, with some pictures of their trip from Iowa to Florida to see an Aunt. My Grandpa would show us a sweater that had a bullet hole thru it, he said they were alligator hunting in the Everglades with a guide and the camp was shot up by the Ashley gang. He told us the Sheriff was chasing the gang and they thought they were the Sheriff and told them ‘stir up the fire and see the blood fly’. I’m trying to find more history on this. Interesting pictures and story. They had been on the road 4 weeks at this point and were in Texas, I don’t know how long before they got to Florida but could have been in that time frame.
Hi…….yes, your Grandpa was probably in the area of the Ashley’s…..the Ashley’s had their camp in the Everglades….and the sheriff was trying to kill them for robbing a bank……Laura Upthegrove, Queen of the Everglades was my Uncle John’s girlfriend…..she oversaw the camp when the boys were not there…….glad your Grandpa and the others were not hurt…..Uncle John did not like hurting innocent people……my Grandmother was his niece, her brother Hanford was ambushed with the other members of the Ashley Gang in Sebastian…she used to talk about how crooked the sheriff was, and he was mad because they hadn’t paid him his moonshine money and rum running money he use to get to allow them to sell moonshine and wiskey to the local people up and down the East coast of Florida…….very interesting history of Florida……..you can read more about the Ashley/Mobley Gang of Florida……..they even made a movie with Fabien in it back in the 80′s I think…..nice talking with you….thanks for the update……funny how we can all be related somehow by our family stories………..Brenda, LPN, Bradenton, FL
I have been interested in the Ashley gang because I think my family was involved by marriage. My grandmother was a Padgett
and had two sons in West Palm Beach…..Noah Padgett and Hugh Padgett. Noah married an “Upthegrove” and I believe she was Laura Upthegrove’s sister, but not sure yet. As you know, Laura was John Ashley’s girlfriend. I have also been told that my Uncle Hugh Padgett had a wife whose brother was in the Ashley gang, but haven’t confirmed that yet either. If anyone has any more information that would help me, please let me know. Thanks.
Mitch Morgan
Merritt Island, FL
jmorgan14@cfl.rr.com
I am interested in the Ashley gang because it was reported that my great grandfather was killed by bandits, in Lokosee Fl in 1924. I am trying to find if there is a connection.
Hi,
I just found this page while looking to see if a page on my blog was cataloged by Google. The reason I mention this is because the pages I was looking for were about a mural I painted in downtown Stuart that showcased the Ashley gang. It appears that there’s a lot more information online now than back in 2007 when I painted that part of the mural. Just the fact that I was painting the Ashley gang stirred up a little controversy. You can read about it here…
http://thesarasotamuralist.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.html
Skip
Very interesting reading Skip. You did a great job on the murals. Next time I am in Stuart I will check them out. Since I made my earlier post above yours, I have confirmed my great uncle Noah Padgett was married to Lola Upthegrove, the sister of Laura Upthegrove, John Ashley’s girlfriend…the “Queen of the Everglades.”
I have enjoyed doing my family genealogy and learning all about these fascinating times in Florida history.
Regards,
Mitch Morgan
jmorgan14@cfl.rr.com
Clarence Middleton was a member of the Ashley Gang and my uncle…he was the second oldest son of Steven and Margeret Middleton, my grandparents. He had four brothers and three sisters living in Jacksonville, all are deceased now. His oldest brother, Jack, owned the Embassy Club and the Peacock Club in Jacksonville, FL…Cecil, Clyde and Bruce all served honorably in World War II and became sucessful businessmen in Jacksonville after the War. Clarence probably got involved in rum running in the early 20′s and met up with some of the Ashley Gang in prison then fell in with them…he was one of the four men murdered on the San Sebastian bridge in 1924. He is buried beside his Father in Jacksonville,Fl.
I am writing about the Glades history intertwined with my own rambles and current events. I seem to remember an incident I read about involving the Ashley gang in Everglades City. Does anybody know anything about this? Also, Red Grass River was a great book about them, do you know about any others?
Many thanks in advance for any info you can provide.
Have an original copyrighted book “The Notorious Ashley Gang — A Saga of the King and Queen of the Everglades” 1928 – by Hix C. Stuart. My father-in-law, C H. Cates, was robbed by them at his bank – The Pompano Bank – in November 1924. Ashely actually gave him a bullet on leaving, whic the Broward County Historical Society drove her nuts for years for, but during the depression, losing the bank, and many moves, it was lost. Anyone wanting an information I have – feel free to contact me at thepennypinchers@msn.com Anne Cates Crane
Hello, my name is Luke Register. My great great Uncle Heywood Register was in the gang. Myself and a few other family members are trying to find some photos of Heywood. If there is anyone out there that can help I would greatly appreciate it.
Thank you,
Luke Register
My email is luke_reg@yahoo.com
Thank you,
Luke Register