In the 1870s a gang of counterfeiters turned grave robbers in an attempt to free one of their members by holding Abraham Lincoln’s body hostage. One of the country’s largest counterfeiting gangs ran its operation in Illinois. When Ben Boyd, a master engraver, was thrown in jail, the gang’s supply of counterfeit money dwindled. From Counterfeiting to Grave Robbing The gang’s leader, Big Jim Kennally came up with an idea to steal Abraham Lincoln’s corpse and hold it hostage for $200,000 in gold and Boyd’s freedom. However, one night one conspirator, Ben Sheridan, had too much to drink and talked too much to one hostess of a local brothel. He revealed the plot to her, and she told others of the plot. The story spread and the gang had to flee Springfield. The Second Attempt Kennally didn’t give up the idea. Read more…