william reno

                                                                 William Reno

                                                 

William Reno was born May 15, 1848 in Rockford, Jackson County, Indiana.  Frank's parents were Wilkison Reno and Julia Freyhafer.

William was the youngest brother of the group that would later become known as the Reno Gang.

Many believe that William was not a part of the gang.  If William was a member of this gang, his role was a minor one.  

William enrolled as a private in the 50th Regiment of the Union Army on August 18, 1864 for a term of three years.  William stated he was eighteen when he enrolled (he was only sixteen).

William was lynched by members of the Southern Indiana Vigilance Committee on December 12, 1868 inside of the New Albany, Indiana jail.

It should be noted that on the night of the train robbery, for which William was hung, William was in a public saloon in Seymour, Indiana playing billiards with a local, well known and credible, citizen.  William did not leave the saloon until after 10pm.  The robbery occurred at 11pm that very night.  It is doubtful, if not impossible, that William was involved with the Seymour train robbery.

Wilkison Reno has been reported as attesting to William's innocence of the crimes he was murdered for.  It has also been reported that Frank and Sim begged with the Vigilance group to free William because he was not guilty of any crimes.

William is buried at the Seymour Indiana Cemetary.