Read more about the article Ashley researcher challenges narrative
Steve Carr’s nearly half a century of research into the real story of the Ashley Gang left him challenging many of the common perceptions of the family. GREGORY ENNS

Ashley researcher challenges narrative

Steve Carr’s interest in the Ashley Gang began as a child growing up in Lake Worth, where he would hear his grandfather, William Carr, and friend, Woody Upthegrove, talk about the gang’s exploits.

Continue ReadingAshley researcher challenges narrative
Read more about the article GROWING UP ASHLEY
The extended Ashley family gathered for this photo taken around 1930. Standing from left are Bill and Bertha Ashley, Mary Ashley Mobley and unidentified man; George and Lola Mario, Marjorie Ashley, widow of Ed Ashley; and Eva Ashley and first husband Peter Jenkins. The children third from left are Carlo Mario, son of George and Lola Mario; Marjorie Ashley, daughter of Ed and Marjorie Ashley; and Lugenia Jenkins with younger sister Patricia, daughters of Eva and Peter Jenkins. SANDRA MARIO PROVENCE ARCHIVES

GROWING UP ASHLEY

Sandra Provence learned a thing or two from her grandmother, the sister of outlaw John Ashley, about how to comport herself as a descendant of Florida’s most notorious crime family.

Continue ReadingGROWING UP ASHLEY
Read more about the article Ashley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor
Austin Alderman stands at the spot in downtown Fort Pierce where his great-great grandfather, Ray Lynn, and three other members of the Ashley Gang were laid out and displayed after the shooting on the Sebastian River Bridge on Nov. 1, 1924. The 100th anniversary of the shooting approaches Friday, Alderman says Lynn was estranged from his wife and had been disowned by his parents when he was killed. No family members wanted to claim his body. “He was nothing but trouble,’’ Alderman says. GREGORY ENNS

Ashley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor

As the daughter of Ashley Gang outlaw Ray Lynn, Inez Lynn Hamilton had an unusual —and intentionally misleading — story that she would share with her grandchildren about her father’s death.

Continue ReadingAshley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor
Read more about the article THE TUMULTUOUS END OF THE ASHLEY GANG
The end of the Ashley Gang came the night of Nov. 1, 1924, when John Ashley, his nephew Hanford Mobley and Ray Lynn and Clarence Middleton were gunned down on the Sebastian River bridge. ELLIOTT MUSEUM

THE TUMULTUOUS END OF THE ASHLEY GANG

With John Ashley in prison and three of his brothers dead from their criminal activities, leadership of the Ashley Gang in 1922 fell to John’s 17-year-old nephew, Hanford Mobley.

Continue ReadingTHE TUMULTUOUS END OF THE ASHLEY GANG
Read more about the article Ashley researcher challenges narrative
Steve Carr’s nearly half a century of research into the real story of the Ashley Gang left him challenging many of the common perceptions of the family. GREGORY ENNS

Ashley researcher challenges narrative

Steve Carr’s interest in the Ashley Gang began as a child growing up in Lake Worth, where he would hear his grandfather, William Carr, and friend, Woody Upthegrove, talk about the gang’s exploits.

Continue ReadingAshley researcher challenges narrative
Read more about the article DEADLY END
The end of the Ashley Gang came the night of Nov. 1, 1924, when John Ashley, his nephew Hanford Mobley and Ray Lynn and Clarence Middleton were gunned down on the Sebastian River bridge. ELLIOTT MUSEUM

DEADLY END

As November 1924 approached, the Ashley Gang had been reduced to the trio of John Ashley as leader, veteran criminal Clarence Middleton and newcomer Jerold Ray “Shorty” Lynn.

Continue ReadingDEADLY END
Read more about the article GROWING UP ASHLEY
The extended Ashley family gathered for this photo taken around 1930. Standing from left are Bill and Bertha Ashley, Mary Ashley Mobley and unidentified man; George and Lola Mario, Marjorie Ashley, widow of Ed Ashley; and Eva Ashley and first husband Peter Jenkins. The children third from left are Carlo Mario, son of George and Lola Mario; Marjorie Ashley, daughter of Ed and Marjorie Ashley; and Lugenia Jenkins with younger sister Patricia, daughters of Eva and Peter Jenkins. SANDRA MARIO PROVENCE ARCHIVES

GROWING UP ASHLEY

Sandra Provence learned a thing or two from her grandmother, the sister of outlaw John Ashley, about how to comport herself as a descendant of Florida’s most notorious crime family.

Continue ReadingGROWING UP ASHLEY
Read more about the article Ashley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor
Austin Alderman stands at the spot in downtown Fort Pierce where his great-great grandfather, Ray Lynn, and three other members of the Ashley Gang were laid out and displayed after the shooting on the Sebastian River Bridge on Nov. 1, 1924. The 100th anniversary of the shooting approaches Friday, Alderman says Lynn was estranged from his wife and had been disowned by his parents when he was killed. No family members wanted to claim his body. “He was nothing but trouble,’’ Alderman says. GREGORY ENNS

Ashley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor

As the daughter of Ashley Gang outlaw Ray Lynn, Inez Lynn Hamilton had an unusual —and intentionally misleading — story that she would share with her grandchildren about her father’s death.

Continue ReadingAshley Gang descendants not fond of ancestor