NEWSPAPER ARTICLES
ANTI-HORSE THIEF ASSOCIATION
June 1, 1894—Hennessey Clipper—A meeting of the Anti-Horse Thief Association was held in the I. O. O. F. Hall at Dover, Oklahoma on May 25, 1894. H. L. McKee of Downs, in the chair, O. H. P. McDowell of Oneida, Sectary; Thomas Kinder, Marshal. The object of the meeting was stated by the chairman being for the good of the association and various businesses. The following orders were fully represented by delegates:
Hennessey No. 133, Lacey No. 160, Dover No. 113, Banner No 222, Oneida No. 117, Justice No. 174, Downs NO.--, Columbian No.—
The following Orders had no delegates present:
Coronado. No.__, Kingfisher No.__, Marshall No.__, Crescent No.__, Mt. Zion No.__, Lyon twp. No.__.
It was moved and carried unanimously that application be made to the National grand Order for a territorial charter for a Grand Order for Oklahoma which is no attached to the Kansas jurisdiction.
After which they proceeded to the election of officers. H. L. McKee of Downs was chosen president, B. F. Meek of Dover, vice-president; O. H. P. McDowell of Oneida, Secretary; J. W. Lee of Dover, Treasurer.
The president, by virtue of his office will be the delegate to the National Grand Order and will choose his own alternate. There were over 40 delegates present. It was moved and seconded that a repot of this meeting be furnished the papers of Hennessey, Dover and Kingfisher for publication with a request to territory papers to copy. Hennessey was selected as the next place of meeting. A unanimous vote of thanks was tendered the Dover order and its citizens for favors and courtesies shown.
The secretaries of all Orders in the territory are requested to send the number of Orders and address of president and secretary to O. H. P. McDowell, Secretary, Oneida, Oklahoma.
H. L. McKee, Pres.
O. H. P. McDowell, Secretary
The Anti-Thief Association of Oklahoma Territory Organized
July 27, 1894
Secretary Lowe granted a charter to an organization to be known as the “Anti-Horse Thief Association” of Oklahoma Territory. As its name implies, the object of the association is to protect the citizens of the territory against thieves and outlaws who thrive in the territory. The headquarters of the association is Arapaho, G County, and members are enlisted in the organization for a term of four years. The organization has elected the following gentlemen to serve as directors for the first year.
Thomas Omsly, Weatherford
H. Smith, Arapaho
J. W. Wamble, Arapaho
Officers are elected every six months, the preset officials being:
C. H. Smith, President
J. A. Vance, Vice-president
W. J. Weatherford, Secretary
September 26, 1894—Indian Chieftain—Fifteen members of the Oklahoma Anti-Horse Thieves’ association have returned to their homes on Indian Creek, near Hennessey after chasing Charles Smith, the alleged slayer of Gus Holland and Dave Oates, for over 200 miles. The trail was lost in the panhandle country of Texas, where he had taken supper and disappeared from a ranch about eight hours before the arrival of the vigilantes. A careful search for two days failed to show any further trace of him.
September 28, 1894—Afton Week Herald --The A. H. T. A. of Blue Jacket elected the following officer last week: Tom Gambill, president; J. O. Hill, vice president; D. A. Wilson, secretary; T. S. Henley, treasurer; M. A. Gullet, marshal; U. S. Bradfield, door keeper
ENTIRELY UNFAIR
August 22, 1895—Kingfisher Free Press—The Hennessey Clipper makes a mistake and so do the other Hennessey papers when they attempt to prejudice their part of the county against Kingfisher. And this mistake is aggravated by an unjustifiable exaggeration of facts and rumors, seemingly for no other purpose that to create prejudice against this town. Now, we do not believe that Hennessey’s prosperity rests entirely upon the success or failure of Kingfisher. They both have their respective fields and their existence is entirely logical and necessary. Hennessey is a good town—the Free Press has always so maintained and it has never to the extent of a single word, felt that Kingfisher could be benefited by the publication of anything derogatory to that town whether it was true or false. And we defy anyone to point to a single paragraph or word printed in these columns, at any time, which would tend in that direction. The Hennessey press should remember that mouthings of the character referred to, generally have their origin in jealousy, and that the people are smart enough to understand it.
In the last issue of the Clipper, in giving an account of the arrest of Messrs. Vanderwork, Fox and Huff, on complaint of the Willets, it says:
The sentiment, which prompts the arrest of these men, has been encouraged by many of the citizens of Kingfisher. If Willet had been killed under similar circumstance near Kingfisher, the sentiment there would be different. The members of the Anti Horse Thief Association are neither robbers nor murderers, but consist of the best men in the various neighborhoods throughout the county. They are engaged in a good work and the people of Hennessey favor sustaining them. If Kingfisher businessmen prefer to follow an opposite course they may do so.
Now, the charge that “many of the citizens of Kingfisher” have advised or encouraged the arrest of these men is untrue. What one or two, or a half dozen citizens of Kingfisher may have done, we do not know, yet we have not head a single citizen of this town advise or say a word in favor of the prosecution of the Sheridan people, on the contrary it is universally believed that they felt certain that they had overtaken the Yeager party and if the result proves that a mistake was made, it was one of those unavoidable mistakes that sometime happen, for which no one can be justly held responsible.
The Willet boys, however, had many friends in the neighborhood where they formerly lived a few miles east of this town, who unquestionable believe in their innocence and sympathize with them in their present great misfortune. These men may have advised the arrest and prosecution of the Sheridan people. The brother of William and John Willet commenced the prosecution. It is not wonderful that these boys, after coming here to find one of their brothers dead, another wounded, held in jail and under prosecution on a criminal charge, should manifest the common emotions of human nature. Any other result would be a plea either of guilty, or of unexampled inhumanity, and would have justified the public in concluding that they were entitled neither to sympathy nor respect. The whole matter, as it appears at the moment, is unfortunate. There is no occasion for harsh criticism, but rather for the exercise of greatest charity toward all parties. The Clipper’s unwarranted insinuation that “Kingfisher businessmen” uphold outlawry and sympathize with outlaws and horse thieves is totally void of all justification that it will have no other effect than to arouse, in every thoughtful persons’ mind, a feeling of contempt for its authorship.
The Free Press has tried to be entirely fair about this matter; in the absence of evidence of guilt, it has not assumed that anyone is guilty. And, now it is prepared to say, with deliberation, that, if the pending preliminary examination in the case against the Willet boys fails to show evidence of their guilt, they should e promptly discharged. And, on the other hand, the prosecution against the Sheridan people will inevitably end in acquittal. No jury can be empanelled which will ever consent to a verdict of guilty against them. This is plain talk, but every intelligent man, acquainted with the conditions, circumstances and facts knows that it is true. If the Willet boys were wrongfully attacked, it was simply the result of a deplorable misunderstanding, and its unfortunate results cannot be helped. No one believes for a moment that these Sheridan farmers intended to fire upon innocent persons; they had been warned that Yeager and Black were expected in the neighborhood (and it is a fact that they were in the neighborhood when the fight occurred); they had received notice that the Willet party was the Yeager party and they confidently believed that they had come up with the Yeager party.
It is not the custom of the Free Press to “try cases” its columns during their pendency in the courts, but this is an extraordinary case and we are firmly convinced as before said, that if the investigation now in progress fails to develop evidence to justify further proceedings against the Willets, the case should be promptly dismissed and the same proceedings should be taken in the case against the Sheridan farmers. Such a course would be, in the interest of public economy, public morals, public and private peace. The people of this county are in no mood to be put to the expense of three or four thousand dollars and endless personal annoyance when it is patent from the out start that it will be productive of no good whatever.
February 7, 1896—Alliance Courier—Fifty members of the Anti-horse Thief association of Kingfisher County trailed the murderer of Howard Roberts twenty miles Saturday. The robber’s horse gave out and he entrenched himself in a small canyon in the ‘gyp” hills, where he was besieged five hours. When one of the posse came within 100 yards of the refugee he was met by a volley from a Winchester repeater. A man named Richards received a shot in the arm. Finally by strategy the hunted man was captured and taken to Vilas. He is not know there, but several of the posse are sue it is Bill Thompson. The law will take its course. His victim died Sunday.
W. W. GLOVER’S DEATH AVENGED
George Miller and Red Buck, Alias Gant, His Murders, Resist Arrest
And Are Killed by Officers of the Laws
March 5, 1896—Arapahoe Argus —Ever since the killing of W. W. Glover on Feb. 14, last, officers Shannon XE "Shannon" , XE "Shannon" Duckworth , Wamble and Leonard X, with a posse of citizens, have been following his murders, trail like bloodhounds. After the killing of Glover, his murderers, George Miller and Red Buck alias Gant, went to their hiding place on the Canadian river, to the edge of ‘D’ county, some thirty miles north of Arapahoe. Officers of that county, learning of their whereabouts, attacked them but were repulsed by the desperadoes, who then turned south heading for the Wichita mountains with the above named officer and citizens and deputies Joe Ventinor , Bill Quilian and Wm. Holcomb , of ‘D’ county, close on their trail. After reaching the mountains, Miller and Gant or Red Buck, separated each starting on the back trail, thinking to elude the officers, but the officers soon discovered the change and turned back, trailing them to the mouth of Elm and from there to Oak Creek. Readying Oak Creek Tuesday afternoon, they learned that Miller and Gant were at the dugout of one Pickelsimon , on the head of Oak Creek and would likely remain there all night. So just before day yesterday morning a posse composed of T. L. Shahaa , J. T. Duckworth , constables of ‘G’ County, Louis N. Williams , of Washita county and deputies Ventinor Quillin and Halcomb, of ‘D’ county, surrounded the dugout and waited for daylight to come and until Miller and Gant emerged from the dugout which was not until the sun was fully two hours high, when George Miller and Picklesimon came out and started to the lot, it is supposed to feed their horses. The officers called on them to surrender. Miller when for his revolver and just at that juncture a ball from one for the officers guns made him drop it firing into the ground at the same time. Miller then made for the dugout calling for Red Buck to come to his assistance. Red Buck appeared on the scene shooting at the officers. Officer Ventinor was shot in the lower part of the abdomen, the ball passing out just above the left hip making a serious but not fatal wound, in the opinion of Dr. Williams The firing was kept up on both sides until Red Buck was killed and Miller had retreated into the dugout. After some little time had elapsed Miller called out to the officers to come to him as he was shot all to pieces. The officers being somewhat slow to venture into the dugout where so desperate a man as Miller was, but on being assured by Miller that he was so badly wounded that he could do nothing they went to him and found that three fingers had been shot off his left hand and his right arm broken in two place, which will necessitate amputation. The dead and wounded were brought to town last night. Officer Ventinor is at the Hotel Arapahoe and resting as easy as could be expected while Miller is in the District Court room receiving all the attention that can be bestowed upon him. Miller talks rather feely and says that he does not know Red Buck’s true name; that Deputy U. S. Marshal Banks knows him; that the (Red Buck) called himself Bill Doolin No. 2; that most all crimes charged to Doolin within the last two years were committed by Red Buck. At the time Glover was killed it was thought that it was Jim Harbolt having been wounded in the left shoulder in that fight.
They were both well mounted and carried Colt’s 45 caliber pistols and 45-90 Winchester rifles.
The officers and citizens who took it upon themselves to run these outlaws down deserve great praise for their faithful work. They were out 19 days and traveled several hundred miles over some of the roughest country in the Territory and during the severest storm that we have had this winter.
The officers and posse from ‘G’ and Washita Counties were working under the immediate direction and the expense of the Anti Horse Thief and Protective Association for the Territory, whose aim and object is to run down and capture all such chaps as those fellows are.
It is thought that his about winds up the worst gang of outlaws that ever infested the Territory.
HORSE THIEVES DOOMED
October 29, 1896 --Guthrie Daily Leader The Anti-Horse Thief association of Oklahoma territory met at the county court house yesterday and transacted much business pertaining to the grand lodge. President W. T. Parnell of Kingfisher presided.
The morning session was held with open doors, and several citizens of the city were present. The afternoon and night sessions were devoted to the secret work of the order and no one was admitted, not a member in good standing. There were about 100 delegates present
This evening the following officers were elected:
F. Leach, national president, of Arkansas City, Kansas.
W. T. Parnell, general territorial president, Kingfisher
J. D. Patten, grand vice president, Lacey, O. T.
D. C. Farnsworth, grand secretary, Lacey, O. T.
Executive committee
E. A. Bourne, chairman, Waukomis, O. T.
G. W. Conrad, Homestead, O. T.
Ed D. Harade, Hennessey, O. T.
Other portions of the territory will organize and join the order.
The following delegates attended the convention:
Onefo lodge No. 9, J. C. Smith
Cherryvale lodge No. 2, Bond, William Goal, J. D. Masion, J. H. Oyler and George A. McArthur.
Otter lodge No. 17, Keil post office, Marshall Payne
Lodi lodge No. 9, W. C. Hawell, J. W. Haigler
Lacey lodge No. 6, Lacey, J. M. Kinnett, L. G. Rose.
Star lodge No. 26, Stroud, A. R. Burris
Paris lodge No. 5, Paris, J. W. Henthorn
Oak Center lodge No. 44, Oak Center, W. R. Davis, J. W. Courtney.
Newkirk lodge No. 11, Newkirk, William Reynolds
La Homa lodge No. 24, La Homa, Phil Potter, G. W. Martin
Britton lodge No. 27, Britton, Henry Hasly John Body, I. D. Cellin
Alameda lodge No. 45, Alameda, N. M. Main
Cheyenne Creek lodge No. 54, Cleveland, C. A. Bullard
Fairview lodge No. 35, Rusk, M. H. Deen
Ridge lodge No. 34, Seay, Lew Pope
Parkland lodge No. 4, Parkland, George Gin
Newkirk lodge No. 12, Newkirk, John Mitchell
Hackberry lodge No. 2, Hackberry, E. A. Bourne, H. H. Jones, W. H. Haggart
Hennessey lodge No. 5, Hennessey, D. Harader, M. D. Byde
Arlington lodge No. 97, Arlington, Mr. Schwentse, W. K. Davis
Crescent lodge No. 29, Crescent City, J. S. Lowell, A. Sanderson, G. G. Norris,
B. F. Moore
Fairview lodge No. 22, Fairview, E. J. De Witt
Edmond lodge No. 23, Edmond W. F. Moore
Alpha lodge No. 35, Alpha, Josiah Williams
Seiling lodge No. 16, Seiling, Wm. E. Price, J. W. Barnes, J. M. Morgan.
Lodge No. 56, L. A. Hampton
Flynn lodge No. 7, Flynn, F. N. West
Altona lodge No. 58, Altona, Albert Huston, W. W. Kelly
Stillwater lodge No. 20, Stillwater, H. F. Tinker, P. G. Alexander
Parner lodge No. 57, Paide, G. G. Norris, J. W. L. Saunderson, D. E. Moore.
Homestead lodge No. 2, Homestead, J. P. D. Maurquind, L. C. Heart, John Philpot
Model Lodge, O’Keene, J. M. Haigler
Taloga lodge No. 30, Taloga, M. K. Payne, W. E. Clark.
August 12, 1898— The Hennessey Clipper -The horse stealing mentioned last week, resulted in the arrest of George Grothe and a man named Vinson Grothe was brought before squire Burdrick Saturday morning and subpoenas issued for witnesses and the delay of getting them here put the case over to Monday. On Monday the A. H. T. A. boys brought in Vinson as a participant, and Howerton , the real genuine, clear quill, a natural born, died in the wool thief, who had reached this vicinity from Kansas nearly as soon as his pursuer who had lost him did. County Attorney Campbell reached town in time to take charge of the prosecution and soon determined that the evidence would not hold Grothe and Vinson and they were turned lose. Howerton admitted his guilt and his bail was fixed at $1,000, which he could not furnish and he now languishes in the Blaine County Rooster pen. (He said he would not stay in it long.) The guard who cared for him surfeited on his zealous stories of past feats of crime and his experience in the Leavenworth pen and coal mines. He seems to have been well pleased with his residence there and has no sense of shame for the lawless course he has led. A life sentence might just as well be imposed on him at next term of court as not as he will only come out to commit some crime against decent, law abiding men to be returned and make a stack of costs.
HORSE THIEVES CAPTURED
What the Association Has Accomplished the Past Year
October 27, 1898—The Oklahoma Leader XE "The Oklahoma Leader" —The next annual session of the Oklahoma Anti Horse Thief Association will be held at Enid on the third Wednesday in October.
During the past year twelve horse thieves have been captured, convicted and sent to the penitentiary by the various associations in the territory. There are nearly 200 local lodges now in Oklahoma and a membership of upwards of 2000 is rapidly growing. Not only is it spreading in the country but also businessmen in the towns have begun to take an interesting in its work and are joining to help it. The past year over $1000 worth of stolen property has been recovered and returned to the rightful owners through the instrumentality of the association, which is fast becoming a terror to evil doers. Officers who do not do their duty and people who become bondsmen for apprehended thieves get their just deserts through the instrumentality of this order.
April 13, 1900—Tecumseh Republican—From the number of horses and mules that are stolen in this county is would seem that an Anti-Horse Thief association among the farmers would be a good move for mutual protection. Then whenever an animal belonging to a member of the association was stolen a large reward could be offered by making a small assessment on each member, and the loss would not fall so heavily upon any one individual. We believe it would help to rid the county of these horse thieves, for in addition to assisting the unfortunate members; every member should make it his duty to assist in running down and convicting the thieves.
Anti-Horse Thief Society
Hold Interesting Session In Oklahoma City—Officer Elected-
October 19, 1900- Guthrie Daily Leader Oklahoma City, Oct. 18—The fifth annual meeting of the anti horse thief association of Oklahoma convene at the opera house yesterday morning at 10 o’clock. In the absence of the mayor Hon. Sidney Clarke extended a cordial welcome to the convention, dwelling briefly upon the work of the association and kindred organizations in the encouragement of peace and good order. The grand president of the order James Kirkwood of Osage City responded to the address of welcome.
The organization has 209 subordinate lodges and has extended its organization into every count in Oklahoma. It has 500 members in the territory. Its subordinate organizations are most numerous in Pottawatomie, Lincoln, and Payne counties along the Indian Territory.
In the present gathering every subordinate lodge is represented by one or more delegates. There are about 500 delegates in attendance. The morning session was devoted to preliminary routine including the appointment of the usual committees. The afternoon and evening sessions were held in the district court rooms behind closed doors.
At today’s session considerable business was transacted and new officers were elected.
Grand President—James Kirkwood.
Grand Secretary—Charles Liston
Delegates to national convention—James Gibson of Sheridan, Kingfisher County.
The National Convention meets at Springfield, Missouri in October 1901.
There was considerable good natured rivalry for the place of meeting for next year but Perry succeeded in landing the prize and the delegates from that city have promised the association a fine time and that it will be well taken care of.
October 26, 1900—Tecumseh Republican—Mike O’Malley, one of the notorious O’Malley gang, was arrested at Norman yesterday by Sheriff Trousdale, of Tecumseh, charged with horse stealing. The arrest was made and O’Malley was brought here and confined in the county jail until this morning when he was taken to Tecumseh to answer the indictment found against him by the grand jury in session there. O’Malley is one of the brothers who have been engaged in horse stealing, post office robbing, train wrecking and other congenial pursuits for a number of years. Tom O’Malley was arrested a few days ago at Shawnee and was positively identified as one of a gang that robbed a post office in the Indian Territory a few days ago. The Anti-Horse Thief Association claims to have evidence that will convict Mike when he is arraigned at Tecumseh.
BORDER OUTLAW CAPTURED
Jim Rogers , Who Last Of The Notorious Gang, At Last In Custody
May 3, 1901-- Checotah Enquirer —Jim Rogers, the last of the notorious Rogers Brothers , who have been terrors along the borders for the past ten years, was brought in to Vinita Sunday and is carefully guarded in the Federal prison.
The prisoner is a muscular fellow, a typical outlaw, though only 22 years of age. When only fourteen years old he emulated the daring of his brothers, and entered the store of Henry Hayden, at Hayden post office, and lined the proprietor, at the muzzle of a Winchester, with nine Negroes who were in the place at the time. He made them all deposit their valuables in a pile, which he placed in a bag, and mounting a horse, got away, since then he has been an outlaw, but as far as is known took no part in the train and bank robberies which his brother’s gang are accused of. Bob Rogers, noted bank and train robber and horse thief, was killed in a running fight with deputy marshals four years ago.
Sam Rogers, another brother, was shot through the thighs by Deputy Marshal Heck Brunner and is now his father’s home a helpless cripple. He was not prosecuted up on his promise to be good.
Jim, the young men now under arrest, was captured in Southern Kansas last fall, but escaped in January from jail and Independence, Montgomery County, after killing the jailer. Since then he has stolen 21 horses from farmers in the vicinity of Ruby, forged and passed a number of checks, in these charges together with fourteen counts of selling liquor, each of the latter being a felony, are what he will have to face in court next month. It is certain that he will be sentenced to a long term in the penitentiary.
John C. Nelson A. Buton, Jim Mayes and Ples Childerscaptured Rogers after he had openly asserted that he would not be taken alive. The men belong to the Anti Horse Thief Association. There was a reward of $250.00 offered for Rogers. The men caught him napping on a sofa at Jack Taman’s ranch near where the Shawnee Indians are holding their annual spent dance. He was heavily armed, but they broke down the doors and had him covered with their Winchesters before he could reach his pistols.
THE AHTA WEEKLY NEWS
St. Paul, Kansas,
February 20, 1902
Territory News
The T. B. Rhea Mere. Co., of Claremore has failed, liabilities about $3000 assets about $1500.—Vinita Leader
The only store at Hall was robbed by two unmasked men last week. They took $50 and some groceries. Vinita Leader
Jack Barr, who has been on trail at Atoka for being an accomplice in the Caney, I. T., train robbery, was acquitted by the jury.
Ben H. Colbert, was sworn in as United States Marshall of the Soother district at Ardmore recently—Prior Creek Clipper
Burglars about to break into a store in Sallisaw last week were frightened away by the night watchman who fired some shots at them.—Vinita Leader
Isaac L. Gillstrap is now deputy marshal with headquarters at Vinita. He was offered choice of Okmulgee, Bristow or Vinita and promptly chose.—Vinita Leader
Mrs. L. J. Williams, a widow from Alabama, had $1471 stolen from her valise while on route from South Canadian to South McAlester, last week. Vinita Leader
Oklahoma authorities have been in formed that the Ben Cravens gang of outlaws are charged with murder of Sheriff Powers and the robbery of the bank at Clarksville, Arkansas and that $3,500 are offered inn rewards for the arrest of the right parties.
It is claimed that two for the men engaged in the killing of Sheriff Smith and deputy Beck near Anadarko have been captured near Ada by ex-deputy marshal Bobbitt and others. The arrested men were taken to Oklahoma City for safe keeping.—Vinita Leader
City marshal J. F. Ledbetter has been in communication with the Arkansas police officers ever since the killing of Sheriff John Powers by bank burglars at Clarksville. Finally he was asked to go to Clarksville to assist in the detection and capture of these desperate men who killed his old comrade. He left at once and if Ledbetter can’t find them they are well hid.—Vinita Leader
Prior Creek is the first town in the Indian country to revise a relief fund to be invested in corn and distributed among the suffering and destitute full blood element surrounding this city.—Clipper
A gang of six cattle thieves have been run into a hole by Deputy United States marshal Bryan near Chouteau, eight miles south of here. For some four months past they have been butchering and disposing of other than their own cattle unlawfully and are now enjoying a much needed rest in the Muskogee sing sin.—Prior Creek Clipper
Notes From Crane
The regular meetings of our order are held the first Saturday night of each month, but our president calls special meetings so that during the winter season we meet twice a month in order to be thoroughly trained and ready for action should we be called upon to take the trail of some outlaw.
No. 226 is not as large as some others, as to number of members, but we believe that should an occasion or occur that would callus out after a thief we would prove ourselves little but mighty.
Our order is alive, in fact seems to be very enthusiastic in the upholding of the A. H. T. A. in this part of the country. We had a rousing meeting Saturday night February 15. Several members were out and took an active part in the meeting.
Our vice-president Brother Cy Ringle, being absent, inquiring revealed the fact that he was slick. The committee to aid the sick was advised to look after him. This was the first time a meeting has been held since the organization of our order in 1894 without Brother Ringle’s presence, as he served as president seven years.
There has not been any property stolen from any of our members yet but farmers in our neighborhood not members of the Antis have lost horses and other property that the have not recovered, neither have the thieves been caught. Well, as to the A. H. T. A. News, it is a rand little paper and we trust that it may become a great factor for the dissimilation of the great truths and principals of the A.H. T. A.
Several members of our sub-order have become subscribers with the first issue.
C. L. Davis
No 226, Crane, Kansas
THE AHTA WEEKLY NEWS
February 27, 1902
A STOLEN TENT
B. B. Fitzsimmons, secretary of No. 29, hands us the follow letter from > N. Watson, president of sub-order No. 324 Angola, Kansas.
I see by the last issue of the News that your order, No. 29, has been successful in running down and capturing a gang of thieves headed by the Wainscott boys. Among the plunder you found in their possession, the paper says, there were some tents. An Anti in my neighborhood had a large tent cloth stolen off of his threshing machine and requests me to write in regard to the matter.
The main body of the tent cloth was 27 ½ by 18 feet with an extra lap on front end to cover the self-feeder. This piece was 8 by 5 feet. I think the large part of the tent has the name “Case” about center. I had a hole burnt in it right where it come over the right hind wheel of the machine. Also another hole 10 or 12 inches long cut crossways of the cloth 2 or 3 inches from the hind end of the canvas. If not too much trouble would like you to inform me if a tent of the above descriptions was found among the articles recovered from the Wainscott gang.
I. N. Watson
Pres. No. 324, Angola, Kansas
* * * *
The owner for the tent recovered from the Wainscotts has been found. It did not fill the above descriptions. Perhaps some of the Brothers elsewhere may know something of this lost tent.
* * * *
The preliminary hearing of Edgar Wainscott and G. A. Vines, under arrest for stealing a tem of mules, was held before Justice Riney, I St. Paul, this afternoon. The men were bound over to the district court. Their bonds were fixed at $200 each, but neither of these attempted to give bond. It is said Wainscott was recently relieved from the Kansas penitentiary and is an old offender.
OWNERS FOUND
Owners have been found for about all the property found in possession of the
Wainscotts when the raid was made on them by A. H. T. A. lodge No. 29, St. Paul, Kansas, a short time ago.
A man named McConnell, of Labette County, established his claim as owner of the tent. The Frisco railroad claimed the sewing machine and the Santa Fe railroad claimed the bedding. The railroads say the property they claim was stolen from the railroad junction t Cherryvale, while being transferred. The real owner of the machine was L. Durand who was shipping it from Ottawa to Stroud, O. T. A. Mrs. Miller, who now resides in Missouri, was owner of the bedding. She was shipping it from Wichita to Erie. She resided near Shaw for a time after the theft. These people held the railroad companies responsible for the loss of their property; hence the companies were anxious to regain possession of it. There remains a carpet and clothes wringer without a claimant.
STATE NEWS
February 27, 1902
Len Martin has been sent to the penitentiary from Iola for robbery.
A young druggist named Dunsmur is under arrest at Pittsburg for “beating” a hotel bill.
Robert Barnett is in jail at Topeka for breaking into a candy store. He was captured while still in the store.
Dr. Calhoun was convicted of murder in the second degree at Oswego last week. His wife was his victim.
Early Moritz, of Galesburg, is mourning the loss of four shoulders of meat which some person appropriated from his meat barrel.
Henry Behrens is under arrest at Arkansas City charged with embezzling $1500 from the Armour Packing Co. while he acted as their agent.
A number of people have been missing coal during the last two months. One night this week a coal thief was tracked to his own home.
E. G. Nelson, of Mason City, Iowa, was arrested at Ft. Scott Saturday on charge of grand larceny. He will be tried in Iowa where the crime was committed.
Fred Montrey is under arrest at Topeka for passing a forge check. He may have some connection with the fellow who worked the Vinita, I. T. merchants with forged checks.
The wife of Rev. I. B. Tharp, a Baptist minister at Wier City, sold all of his personal property while he was away from home conducting a revival, took about $400 of his money and ran away with another man. She took her nine year old boy with her.
Eleven prisoners escaped from the county jail at Columbus Friday morning. One small man, who was in the corridors, forced some bars apart; disrobed and squeezed thru the opening. He procured a crowbar and assisted the others to escape. None were desperate characters, although two were waiting penitentiary sentences.
Mrs. Loomis, widow of Leavenworth worth $100,000, married a tramp named Curtis, whom she had hired as a farm manager. The tramp proved to be a jewel, worked well, kept straight and quoted Scripture. A week after the wedding he grew sporty got new clothes, bought liquors and cigars by the wholesale and quit work. The trouble dragged along and now the tramp has sued her for 450,000 and thus is cupid put on the bum again.—Iola Register
Sam McCoy was at Okmulgee January 21 with $400 in his pockets. That night his horse came home riderless. Last Saturday his body was found with a bullet hole in his head.
HORSES THIEF CAPTURED
Last Monday about noon while Ed Allen and family, who live one-half mile south and a mile east of Elm City, were at her father’s (S. L. Rainey, who lives two miles west and one-half mile north of Bartlett). John Hahn, who was working for Allen, broke into two trunks and stole a revolver, some jewelry, a vest necktie, pair of gloves, and other trinkets, and a little money. He then took a horse and skipped out. When Mr. Allen and family returned about 3 o’clock, they discovered the theft, and Mr. Allen at once notified Rose Hill Lodge, No. 132, A. H. T. A., twelve members of which were at once ordered in pursuit of the thief, and he was capture Tuesday at 5 o’clock in bed at a hotel at Lenapah, I. T., by Ed. Allen, Sam Triplett, Ira Nye and a lodge man by the name of Bowman, who lives in the Territory and aided materially in keeping the boys on trail. Hahn sold the horse to George Looney, who lies about eight miles this side of Lenapah, on Cedar creek, for $10 and a watch. Hahn gave Looney a sort of bill of sale, and signed his name as John Williams, of Parsons, Kansas. He received a check for $10 on Condon’s bank at Coffeyville, which he cashed at Lenapah, after which he bought a ticket to Wagoner and went to bed at the hotel. Everything he stole was secured by the A. H. T. A., with the exception of a package he left on a load of lumber on which he rode to Lenapah, and that the man owning the lumber will return to Mr. Allen. The check and watch were returned to Mr. Looney, and the prisoner was set astride the stolen horse and made to ride it back to Elm City. There he was put in the hands of Deputy Sheriff A. A. King, who accompanied Ed Allen and J. C. Vance, brought him to Chetopa Wednesday evening where he was placed under arrest and bound over to the district court in the sum of $2000, by Justice Orm, after which he was taken to jail at Oswego. The A. H. T. A. has the man within 24 hours from the time they started after him. This is the fifth theft that members of Rose Hill Lodge A. H. T. A. have suffered and the thief has in every instance been captured. It is expected that Hahn will have his trial at this term of court.—Chetopa Democrat
We are receiving the A. H. T. A. Weekly News, the new official organ of the Kansas Anti-Horse Thief association. It is a neatly printed little paper and is full of good things. It cannot fail to do the order good, for it is well conducted and bright as a new dollar. The Democrat wishes it success, and the wish also extends to the A. H. T. A., which we consider one of the most useful societies of the day, for it stands at the head in the matter of ferreting out crime and bringing the perpetrators to justice.—Chetopa Democrat
TERRITORY NEWS
Thieves took $40 and a pistol from John Veale’s store, Muskogee, last week.
A Choctaw Negro named McCoy was murdered near Okmulgee last week. By whom no one knows.
John Cox found guilty of the murder of John Carroll was given a life sentence last week by Judge Gill at Muskogee.
Noah Long’s body was recovered from the Kaw River Wednesday. He had been robbed and thrown into the river.
John Flight was arrested in Pawnee County, O. T., and taken to the Chandler jail to await trial for cattle stealing.
Lee Humphries was sent to the Kansas penitentiary from Guthrie Monday to serve a sentence for forgery.
F. C. Jamson, a trusted employ of the McAlester Coal Co., has been arrested charged with embezzlement. It is claimed that the stuff the pay roll.
G. W. Trout is under arrest at Wichita on charge of forgery. He was arrested at Goff, I. T., after being shot by an officer for resisting arrest.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
March 6, 1902
Any officer of the A. H. T. A. who solicits subscriptions to this paper is authorized to deduct cost of money order and postage from his remittance.
John W. Wall, state secretary of the A. H. T. A. spent an hour in our sanctum Saturday afternoon between trains. He says the A. H. T. A. is growing more rapidly now and doing more effective work than ever before in the history of the order in Kansas.
Sub-order No. 26, at Labette, Kansas, has posted notices that it will pay $10 reward for information that will lead to the conviction of any one for stealing from its members. This is another good method of stopping the nocturnal prowlers. That reward will prevent many a crime.
Brother Perry writes us from Cherokee that sub-orders wishing to purchase blood hounds can get genuine English bloodhounds from the Rookwood Kennels, Lexington, Kentucky, at a cost of $75 a pair. When you write for catalogue please say you saw this notice in the News.
Brother Gaddie’s remarks in this issue about prosecuting criminals are timely. Where a county attorney does not do his duty in prosecuting criminals the Antis should employ attorneys, who will look after the matter right. But after all the best method is to see that you elect a good county attorney, regardless of what his politics may be.
The cities of Topeka and Wichita are both interested with footpads
and hold-ups are numerous. Some robberies are occurring in day time as well as
night. These would be good places for A. H. T. A. deputies to get in their work.
In the District court at Oswego last week, H. D. Murphy plead guilty of larceny. John Green, plead guilty of burglary in the third degree, and Charles Cruch, alias Charles Chaffes was found guilty of embezzlement. John Hahn, the horse thief captured by the Elm City lodge, plead guilty.
Arthur Langford has been sentenced at Emporia to serve Arthur Langford has been sentenced at Emporia to serve years in the penitentiary. He stole a horse and buggy a few months ago and ran away with a 14 year old girl. Langford although only 24 years old, has served a term in the reform school and a term in an Oklahoma jail.
Deputy Sheriff Keesling went to Hutchison Monday with Dave Frults, of Lafontaine, for horse stealing and George Merrill of Fredonia, for larceny and burglary, who were sentenced to the reformatory at the last term of court. George Merrill is a young man who will still have $225,000 when he becomes of age owning a 120 acre farm near Toledo, Ohio and several pieces of Toledo city property. Neodesha Sun
The A. H. T. A.’s are making life for horse thieves very strenuous. The Elm City lodge in Labette County has captured five in the last year or two and the list includes all who attempted to seal from its members. Chanute Tribune
Last Monday two strangers entered a store at Harrisburg and relieved it of $75 in money. After mounting their horses they left town, stealing a buggy and several fine teams of horses and mules in the country. They went in the direction of the Comanche country, Oklahoma. Prior Creek, I. T. Clipper
The member of Miles A. H. T. A. lodge number 200 have donated $5.00 worth of provisions to the mayor of Vinita to be distributed among the full bloods near Spavinaw post office who are in destitute circumstances. We ask the members of our order to put their shoulders to the wheel and help the poor and needy and we would like to hear from other secret orders as well as the A. H. T. A. Vinita Leader
The county attorney will have to quit prosecuting criminal cases this term. The jail is so full now that it is scarcely a fit habituation for human beings. The long cold winter has been productive of a big lot of petty criminals and these with the city’s prisoners have taxed the jail to it utmost capacity. On that account most of the cases brought on the indictment of the grand jury are being continued to May term. Iola Friend
$35 REWARD
Stolen, from the premises of L. L. Kessler on the night of January 31st, two cow-hide lap robes (both hides from Holstein cows), one black with white on both sides, having thereon the name of L. L. Kessler and the name of the tanner “George Kizzler, 90 East Douglas Ave, Wichita, Kansas,” written with ink, one robe is unlined, the other black with two white spots near one end, was home tanned and lined with blue gray flannel. The owner, L. L. Kessler will pay $10 for recovery of the robes and the A. H. T. A. No. 64, will play $25 for the arrest and conviction of the thief. Send all communications to the president of No. 64, D. Peterson, Wichita, or Charles Simmons, Wichita, Kansas.
Sheriff Sedgwick County
STRAYED OR STOLEN
Oct. 20, 1902 from the Perrier place, five miles north of Skiatook, one bay horse coming 6 hears old, height about 16 hands, weight 1200 pounds, white spot in forehead, left hind foot white, small white spot on top of head on each side of mane, small wire scar on front of nose, has had sore on top of neck
Thirty Dollars Reward
Five dollars for return of horse and twenty five for the arrest and conviction of thief. G. W. Blakeman,
President L. R. Gideon, Sec.
A. H. T. A. No. 93 Ramona, I. T.
$70.00 Reward
Stolen--One Collins & Morrison saddle made in Omaha, Neb., No. 131 on front corner of each skirt brass bound, wood stirrups, extra high horn and long straps. A reward of $20 will be paid for the return of the saddle, and $50.00 for conviction of the thief.
A. H. T. A. No. 304
I. P. Collison, Pres.
Turley, I. T.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE
A Tragedy
Monday morning, February 24, Jess Glenn, who represented Miles lodge No. 200 in the annual meeting and who lives in sight of my place, went to a tenant named Montgomery on his place and shot him killing him instantly. He also shot Montgomery’s son, wounding him so badly an arm had to be amputated. The next morning Glenn shot himself with a target rifle and died instantly
Brother Glenn was an honored member of No 200 and was greatly respected in the neighborhood. Mr. Montgomery was also a respectable gentleman, who was preparing to start for Canada in a few days.
Gossip assigns various reasons for the rash act but I am no able to venture an opinion as to its cause or causes
J. T. Kenworthy No. 297, Vinita, I. T.
More Points on Branding
Our lodge has received three issues of the News and is well pleased with it. We thin it indispensable, for thru it we can come in touch with all parts of the country that we could not in any other way. We know whoever reads it is a friend that will help in case of need.
About branding on the foot, I think it a poor way, for it can’t be seen without close inspection. Some of the members here tired it about five years ago and pronounced it a failure. I think the A. H. T. A. ought to have a brand that would be universal among its members; all use the same brand. At our next meeting we will bring up the brand question and see what we can do with it.
We have had no stealing in your neighborhood this winter to give our boys a trial but we expect some horse stealing when grass starts in the spring, but we are going to be on the lookout.
We are taking in new members at every meeting. We are enthusiastic over the work.
D. J. Omstead
No. 489, Owasso, I. T.
OBITUARY
George E. Stoney, born in Spencer Co., Ky., Oct. 25th, 1835, died at his home near Edna, Kansas, Feb. 22, 1902, after a lingering illness of many months.
Brother Stone was initiated into No. 130 A. H. T. A. on June 4th, 1898, and has even been a worthy member. Owing to his age and infirmities he could not often attend our meeting, but always expressed himself as wishing to stay with us as a brother member.
Brother Stone has always been prominent in the civil affairs of his county and this is why we wished to employ every safeguard for the upholding of our laws.
No. 150 loses a worthy, respected and beloved brother and the community at large a most respected and worthy citizen.
G. J. McCarty No. 150
Valeda, Kansas.
Terrorized A Town
March 6, 1902
On the 25th of February, 1901, five men came into Wauneta, a little town on the Missouri Pacific R. R., 14 miles west of Sedan, Kansas, and began firing their revolvers at any, and every thing that come in their way, causing terror among the citizens of the quiet little place. People had to take shelter in their houses to avoid being shot. After they had emptied their revolvers and had every thing coming their own way, the mounted their horses and leisurely rode away in a southwest direction. Mr. Taylor, sheriff of the county, was notified by wire to come over and arrest the outlaws. It was nearly night when Mr. Taylor and his deputy arrived and in order to get a states warrant issued had to go to cedar Vale, some seven miles distant. In the meantime the five men, names as follows: Bert Read, Ross Groves, Art Baming, Sid and Sol Appleby, had stopped over night at the widow Appleby’s, Sol and Sid’s mother, living three miles southwest of Wauneta.
Mr. Taylor came back fro Cedar Vale, with a warrant and sufficient number of deputies to capture them.
Night having closed in, Mr. Taylor and his men surrounded the Appleby house and waited for daylight to come.
Between daylight and sun rise Bert Read started from the house towards the barn, a distance of some 60 or 7i0 yards. When near the barn and while in the lot, one of the deputies called top him to “Throw up you hands,” and instead of obeying the officer, he drew his gun and was in the act of shooting, when a well directed Winchester ball entered his brains, he falling dead in his tracks.
As soon as the first shot was fired the four remaining men in the house, opened fire from windows and doors upon the sheriff and his men, a brisk fire was kept up on both sides, the battle waged warm until about 9 o’clock a.m. Something near one hundred shots had been fired on both sides.
Kate Appleby, sister to two of the boys came out and negotiated terms for the boys surrender, the sheriff agreeing if they would surrender he would insure them against bodily harm until they were safe in the county jail. The four men were loaded into a wagon and driven to Sedan, and placed I the county jail charged with “An attempt to commit murder.”
Bert Reid’s body was taken to Sedan, and an inquest held, the verdict was, “Come to his death by resisting an officer in the discharge of his duty.” At the May 1901 term of district court Sid Appleby was found guilty as charged and sentenced to five years in the state prison. The remaining three their trials were laid over to the October term, when Baming and Groves pleaded guilty to the charge and were sentenced to three years each at hard labor. Sol Appleby, the fourth and last one was tried at the October term of court with “A hung jury.”
At the present term of court Sol’s case came up again, this time with a verdict of guilty as charged in the complaint. His sentence was four and a half years at hard labor. It is just one year today since the boys raided Wauneta, and the results sum up in this way; one dead and four in the state prison and Chautauqua Co. has rid herself of one of the toughest gangs that ever infested the state. During the excitement of receiving the prisoners, caring for the dead etc., the half dozen or more horses that were in the lot were overlook (had been stolen no doubt) and darkness coming on they were spirited away.
Eli Sanborn
Hewins, Kansas
No. 312, February 25th
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
March 13, 1902
Unfriendly Sheriffs
It is reported that some sheriffs in Kansas are quietly fighting the A. H. T. A. Just why, is not plain. Perhaps they think the Antis prevent such crime and thus make the sheriff's fees smaller. The Antis do without a doubt prevents much crime, but on the other hand they capture many criminals the sheriff would never get without their assistance. The sheriffs get their fees in all these cases, which in many instances more than off set what they lose on the account of the crimes prevented. The country is much better off by this condition of affairs and the sheriff who kicks under such circumstances, is out for the dollar and nothing else. Neosho County has one of the best sheriffs in Kansas, yet he would probably never have captured the three members of the Wainscott gang who are now in jail, had it not been for the work of the A. H. T. A. His fees in these cases have amounted to more than they would in twenty small cases. He is well pleased with his fees and the county is rid of a mighty tough gang of outlaws. Harmony and cooperation between the public officials and the order will prove beneficial not only to the country, but in most cases to the officials also.
Thieves stole a lot of feed from a Wichita mill this week. The man who steals feed this year in Kansas is rated almost as ornery as a horse thief. Topeka Capital
The Kansas Anti Horse Thief Association now has an official paper: the A. H. T. A. Weekly News, [published at St. Paul, W. W. Graves editor. It is a very handsome little sheet, containing a lot of matter of interest to this organization, which has done a great deal for the owners of Kansas stock. Topeka Capital.
The first number of the A. H. T. A. Weekly News is on our table by courtesy of state secretary H. C. Cox. It is published at St. Paul, Kansas, in which state the Anti Horse Thief Association is a very strong and is a very creditable publication, one that will advance the interests of this useful organization. Utica, Missouri Herald
The Weekly News of St. Paul, Kansas, devoted to the interests of the A. H. T. A., is very complete in the news of stealing and captures of thieves and other items of interest to anti-horse thief associations and should be liberally supported by them. If the News could work up an anti beggar society and an organization for the suppression of fakirs, its mission would double in value. Caldwell Advance
There are boys that are inclined to be wild whose parents quiet their fear with saying that "boys will be boys." they should read of the discovery made the other day at Leoti. After a reign of terror of several months caused by robberies of all descriptions, bold holdups and assaults, including all the stores in town and most of its citizens, the band of robbers was found to be twelve sons of prominent families. The boldest of the boys was not over fifteen. Boys will be boys and some times they will be highway robbers, too, almost before they realize it themselves. Neodesha Sun.
$70.00 Reward
Stolen--One Collins & Morrison saddle made in Omaha, Nebraska, No. 131 on front corner of each skirt, brass bound, wood stirrups, extra high horn and long straps. A reward of $2- will be paid for the return of the saddle and $50.00 for conviction of the thief.
A. H. T. A. No. 304: I. P. Crittison, President, Turley, I. T.
Stolen
One brown mare coming 5 years old this coming spring, star in forehead, some white hairs in tail, black legs, rather slim body and rangy, weight about 1000 to 1100 pounds when taken.
One light bay mare coming 10 years old this coming spring, blazed faced, left front foot white, wire cut on one front foot, right hind leg longer than the left leg, caused by kick about half way between knee and pastor joint; weight about 1100 when taken. I will pay a reward of $25 each for information leading to the recovery of them.
P. B. Williams, Wichita, Kansas, RR1
Tom Pitt, son of Snodd Pitt living in Kennedy Township near Angola, was arrested last week on charge of stealing a horse blanket from Swann Peterson. The A. H T. A. has the case in hand. Parsons Sun.
Sam Morgan was fatally stabbed at Kellyville, I. T. Sunday by Mex Mixam, an alleged member of a band of outlaws who have been holding out for the past winter in the hills northwest of Kellyville. After the stabbing affair Mixam escaped to the section house and there barricaded himself. Before Marshal Faught, of Sapulpa, could arrive to make an arrest a band of men rode into town and release Mixam.
Horse Thief at Humboldt
Some time Monday night or Tuesday morning two horses were stolen from the Newman farm in Logan Township. John Goloby had bought the horses from Mr. Newman and left them on the farm until he went out there to live. The Anti Horse Thief Association took the matter up and sent out cards to neighboring towns. A telegram was received yesterday from Fredonia to "come on with your reward and get your horses."
Mr. Goloby is not a member of the A. H. T. A. but feels mighty good over r\the way it helped him out and will join as soon as opportunity offers. Humboldt Herald.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
March 20, 1902
Steadily Growing
We have just received the 5th copy of the News and are much pleased with it. Out lodge is not large, only about 45 members but we keep growing a little all the time.
Our president, W. H. Shaffer, who was elected organizer for our lodge last fall, tells me he organized a lodge at Ingram school house about 10 miles southwest of Columbus. He says the order made a promising start, so you may expect to hear from them later.
I have notice the articles on branding, with special interest. I think using the number of the lodge as a brand a splendid plan.
Our lodge got a branding iron of that kind last fall. I have noticed some talk in the News about oyster suppers. We have never had one, but we had had an ice cream supper each of the last two summers, not only for the Antis and their families but free to the whole neighborhood and you may be sure we have a crowd and a big time.
Wishing the News abundant success I will close. H. Taylor, No. 85, Columbus, Kansas
There are not 15 prisoners in the county jail. Seven are serving and eight are charged with felony crimes, two being left over from last term. Six have been brought in this month and all stand for trial next month. There are still more out that are wanted and the chances are that when court convenes there will be sever more ready for trial. Oswego Blade.
Amos Jenkins and Arthur West, arrested on Friday on a warrant charging them with attempting to steal a horse and buggy, which they had obtained from H. F. Hall's livery barn, were arraigned in Justice Scott's Court Saturday afternoon,. Nothing was done with the charge of stealing and a new charge of burglary was made against them when the prisoners waived examination and
J. W. Abernathy, Frank Redmond and John Buz and Herman Falk were all arrested charged with stealing wheat from a box car. Abernathy and Redmond were held under $700 bond for preliminary hearing Thursday morning. The Falks were released without prejudice. The wheat was taken by boring a hole in the car bottom and running the wheat into sacks which were found in Falk's barn. Falk was not at home, however, and disclaims any knowledge of the affair. The wheat belonged t Rea Paterson. Alvah Clemens was arrested for complicity in the wheat stealing case Thursday morning. He was bound over under $700 bond. Abernathy was sent to jail in default of bond. Redmond was released on his own recognizance. Coffeyville Journal.
Resolutions of Condolence
Whereas--The "Great Author" and ruler of the Universe, has seen fit in His infinite wisdom, to sever the brittle thread of life, which bound our beloved and aged brother George E. Stone, to this fraternity, therefore, we, his brothers of Valeda, No. 150, A. H. T. A., bow in humble submission to that all wise decree. Therefore, be it
Resolved, That in the death of Brother Stone, this sub-order has lost a most worthy brother member, the community at large, an esteemed and respectful citizen and the bereaved wife of true and devoted husband and be it,
Resolved That sub-order No. 150, Al H.T. A. extends its warmest and sincerest sympathy to the relatives of our deceased brother and especially to the widow, Mrs. Mildred Stone, in the loss of her ever true and loving husband and be it,
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to "The A. H. T. A. Weekly News." And to the Edna papers with a request for publication
G. J. McCarty, S. E. Fitch, Lofts Peterson, Committee
Resolutions of Condolence
Whereas--It has pleased the Supreme Ruler of the universe in the exercise of His Divine wisdom to removed from our midst Maude, the beloved daughter of our brother E. J. Turley, be it:
Resolved, by the members of A. H. T. A. No. 314, that while we realized that this is a heavy affliction to not only the parents and little sister of this loving daughter, but also to the public school of which she was a good and studious pupil and cheerful playmate and to the Sabbath school of which she was a faithful attendant, her sunny smile will be sadly missed by all who knew her, yet we realize that which is our loss is her gain. Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not.
Be It Further:
Resolved, that we hereby convey to the grief stricken family of this loving daughter and sister our most heartfelt sympathy in this their hour of bereavement yet we feel that all human sympathy is of little avail but that the help for occasions of this kind must come from that God whom Maude was ready to meet and to whom we respectfully and sadly refer the grief stricken family.
J. T. Ryan, Joseph Carr, W. S. Stakerake, Committee, No. 314, Angola, Kansas
***
The fellows who did so much robbing at Ft. Scott recently have been arrested in Joplin.
Louis J. Vollers, city clerk of Lawton, O. T., absconded last week with $1,134 of the city's money.
About $400 worth of silk, satins, jewelry and an overcoat were stolen from E. Beadle's store in Girard Thursday night.
Alfred Graves, an aged man was found in a ravine near Horner, I. T., with his throat cut. Graves has been missing since February 17.
A lot of meat was stolen from Walter Bosley in East Lincoln Friday night. The Antis have been trying to get him to join the order and now he wishes he had. St. Paul Journal.
The creditors of J. F. Crawford took charge of his stock Monday morning placing Attorney Street, of Ft. Scott, in charge until the creditors meet and select a trustee. McCune Democrat.
Bank robbers recently captured cashier Kroger of the State bank of Frewers and made him go to the bank with them. He proved that there was a time lock on the safe and they took his pocket change and left. Vinita Leader.
Deputy Sheriff Ed Walsh is in Illinois trying to get the colored man Branham who shot a constable at Fleming last summer, stole a horse to escape with and was so hotly pursued by the A. H. T. A. of Sheridan Township. He has located his man. It is thought he will come home with him. Pittsburg Journal.
The A. H. T. A. supper went off in nice shape. Everyone seemed to have a good time. About 250 ate supper.--Columbus Modern Light.
Big Cabin has an anti horse thief association. Pensacola needs an anti land thief association.--Vinita Leader.
The members of the A. H. T. A. lodge No. 155 have been taking turns sitting up with Mr. Lucas. Two of the antis sit up each night. Coffeyville Journal.
The A. H. T. A. may well feel proud of their new official paper published at St. Paul by W. W. Graves. It is chock full of news and correspondence of interest to the order and is a very creditable production from a mechanical view point.--Girard News.
The particulars, as near a learned, in the cases of Joe Goloby, who was taken to Fredonia under arrest two weeks ago, charged with the theft and sale of a span of horses belonging to his father are as follows: The elder Goloby, on learning that his son has been apprehended and that parties at Fredonia were claiming the reward, went directly to that place and did what he could to secure the boy's release and to stay the prosecution. Joe set put the claim that his father owed money and that he had taken the only course that seemed open to him to "pay even." Thereupon the county attorney gave him freedom conditioned on his good behavior until the May term of court when the judge of the district court would grant him permanent release.--Buffalo Advocate.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
March 27, 1902
The last meeting of the grand order of Oklahoma passed the following resolution; Revolved, that we as members of this association in territorial convention assembled, respectfully ask that the pardoning power of our chief executive be not so lenient in the future as in the past and that a longer service of that sentence imposed on the criminal by court and jury be served before pardon is granted.
The rapid growth of the order in the Kansas jurisdiction during the past four months has been marvelous. Nearly fifty new orders have been added to the roster, and there are very few of the old sub-orders that have not had a large increase. The membership in the Kansas jurisdiction will now number about ten thousand.
Notwithstanding the great growth and the large amount of work transaction by the order in the Kansas jurisdiction, the condition of the treasury was such that the last meeting of the state order voted to remit the per capita tax for the year of 1902. The sate officers have looked after the interests of the order in such a business like way and have pushed the work with such vigor that the charter fees and sale of supplies have paid the expenses of the grand order. This is a record of which we may justly feel proud.
FRATERNITY NEWS
Oklahoma’s per capita tax for 1902 was 20 cents.
The official badge of the Oklahoma jurisdiction is of uniform coin silver, shape of horse shoe with horse’s head protruding, four nails, and the letters A. H. T. A.
County organizations have proven to be of much benefit to the order wherever tried. This is one point of which the Kansas jurisdiction is weak.
There were reported at the last meeting of the grand order in the Oklahoma jurisdiction 269 lodges with a total membership of 5,220. There were 69 lodges with a membership of 69, on the delinquent list, leaving a total membership of 4,362 in good standing.
Illinois In Good Condition
The condition of the A. H. T. A. in the Illinois jurisdiction is happily expressed in the report of the grievance committee at the last meeting of the state order which was as follows:
We your committee having met in obedience to the State Order of Illinois, having inquired into the state of the association throughout the state and find the same in about the condition they were a year ago, and instead of strife and grievances, we find peaceful harmony, prosperity, interest and earnestness in every part of our domain. No appeals are pending as far as we can ascertain. No trials are pending in any of our local associations. Your committee having heard the reports of delegates from the various lodge of the state, further find that the lodges are going about their work with the zeal and earnestness which always insures success in the home transaction of life; and we, your committee, confidently believe better things will be accomplished for our order and through it for society and the enforcement of the law in Illinois during the coming year.
SHORT BUT GOOD LETTERS
Here I am again waling right in without giving the alarm. I am always so anxious to get among the brothers I can’t wait to give the alarm.
Our little order met in perfect harmony Thursday night, our noble president I. McDonald presiding. He is always at the wheel.
I met with the No. 264 at Blue Jacket, a few nights ago, and ran up against our noble president, and of course that meant a good time.
I have no further news but will say the people in this part of the country are law abiding and God fearing people.
I wish he News and its worthy editor success. I think the News just fills the bill, and the right man is in charge of it.
T. J. Gambill
No. 237, Blue Jacket, I. T.
Once again we desire to extend our hand in the Anti fellowship. We also desire to offer a good round reward for any Antis, dead or alive, which is not in heart accord and sympathy with our beloved News. It certainly is a hummer, and is destined to fill a long felt want. In reading the correspondence from different localities we find we are personally acquainted with many. What a blessing it is when we can talk almost face to face as it were with one another. Just omitting shaking hands is all we lack of having an A. H. T. A. family reunion once a week. An official organ is certainly the best way to promote brother love and teach fraternalism in all its beauties. No. 177 is still hustling; we had to cal an extra meeting in order to take care of the rush. Hardly a meeting night goes by, but that we add from one to five newly made brothers to our noble order.
C. M. Carpenter,
No. 177, Parsons, Kansas, R. R.
Brother Cuthbertson of No. 215, Girard, Kansas writes: Out order is in a flourishing condition. We are receiving applications almost every meeting.
Our lodge is talking of having two branding irons made for the members of the order and a motion was carried at our last meeting to have the two branding irons made and to be reported to the A. H. T. A. News. Branding irons are to be made in the shape of a horse shoe with the toe up, and horses are to be branded on the left shoulder. Our order also voted to have a reward of one hundred dollars for the capture and conviction of any horse thief stealing horses from any of its members.
J. M. Tucker,
No. 304, Turley, I. T.
I have been selected as correspondent of 258 to your paper. The Antis all look for the News as eagerly as the daily Journal. No. 158 is located our and one quarter miles west and one mile south of Pittsburg. No. 158 is growing some. We have not had much stealing lately. The thieves are all scared. We have a good order. All A. H. T. A.’s are invited to attend.
George M. Townsley
No. 158 Pittsburg, Kansas.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
April 10, 1902
The A. H. T. A. of Moran must be after some one from the way they have had call meetings in the last month. Moran Item--Iola Friend.
Didn't Do a Thing to the Footpad
Holdup that didn't hold item from the Galena Republican. Cyrus and Henry Harvey, while on their way home fro Galen, were held up by a single footpad near the Checo school house. Monday evening Cyrus took the revolver away from the body highwayman and if he hadn't made his get away so speedily we are satisfied Cyrus would have held him up. As it was the earth couldn't hold him up he simply flew and Cyrus is ahead a good gun.
Desperate Criminals
It has been some time since the county jail at Girard has had within its walls so many desperate criminals or the kind that would halt at nothing to break jail or commit any kind of a crime. The men Wolfe and Marshall who robbed the Beadle Dry Goods store at Girard recently have a bad reputation among crooks. Hartman, one of the men who were engaged in the robberies in this city is also a cool, deliberate character of the desperate sort. McGuire and Bradley who are serving time in jail are a bad couple and all of the above are ex-convicts. Then there is Ed Sears awaiting trail for murder and tom Bynum for assault with intent to kill, both colored, but they have not had the experience in crime that the others have.--Pittsburg Headlight.
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Judge Stillwell sentenced Melissa Bowman, of Galesburg, to one year in the penitentiary Tuesday. The peculiar feature about this sentenced is that it is the first penitentiary sentence Judge Stillwell ever passed on a woman although he has been judge of this district for some sixteen or eighteen years.--St. Paul Journal.
A Man in Eufaula who brutally beat his step-daughter was tarred and feathered by a mob and run out of town.
Chapter 176, laws of 1901 generally known as the biennial election law, by its operation postponed the election of thirty sheriff's from the fall of 19091 to the fall of 19092 but made no provision for the filling of the interregnum thus created. Held, no vacancy existed in such office and the Governor was not authorized by the general provision of the statue directing him to fill vacancies to appoint one to such interregnum. Held further following the Andrews case no means of supplying such offices ending the interregnum resulting from the postponement of these elections have been designated such incumbents will continue to hold until their successors chosen in the usual manner qualified.
Another decision gives liberty to about thirty prisoners now confined in the Kansas penitentiary. It referred to the court of common pleas of Crawford and Cherokee counties and was as follows:
A court not created by the constitution or by an act of the Legislate has no legal existence and therefore, non power to judge one guilty of a crime and sentence him to imprisonment.
"The appointment or election to an office that has no legal existence gives no color of office to the occupant or color of existence to the office.
One deprived of his liberty on process issued upon final judgment by a court which he claims has no legal existence may maintain habeas corpus to test such jurisdiction.
South McAlester has bought some chains and balls and will put vagabonds to work on the streets.
Strayed or Stolen--On Sunday night, March 16, from Walter Boatman's place near Texanna, I. T. two mules. One bay mare mule about 16 hand high, under bit in left ear, shod behind, little lame in right fore foot; one mare mule about 15 1/2 hands high, shod all around, a little corn footed behind. G. L. Williams, No., 46 Checotah, I. T.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
May 8, 1902
Band of Burglars
At the last meeting of our order we had one candidate for initiation and one application with several names balloted on and accepted.
We had just received the new Rituals and gave them the first trial. The members seemed to think the work in them was very good.
On Wednesday night April 30 the Mo., Pac. Depot at this place was broken into and robbed. All the burglar or burglars got was $1.50 in small change, a lady's gold watch, seven jeweled Elgin movement, and hunting case with braided chain. Also a 38 caliber Colt's revolver, five shot. At this date no trace has been found of the robbers.
It seems that there is an organized gang working this part of the country. On Monday night the post office at Neodesha was broken into, but the burglar was scared away before he had taken anything. The next night the Frisco depot of the same place was broken into, but failed to get anything for their trouble. Now the following night the depot here was robbed. All the clew left here was that a man inquired the distance to Independence and asked for some matches of a doctor about 12 o'clock that night. About all the description he could give of him was that he was rather tall and slender wore a dark suit of clothes. The agent found a pocket tool chest left by the burglars. It consisted of a heavy handle which held in the end 12 different tools to fit such as awls, chisels, etc.
Now brother Antis, let us look out for such fellows and if there is an organized gang of them find out where it headquarters are located and go after them. Such things are becoming to be too common an occurrence. It seems easier for them to burglarize a house or public building and get away with the proceeds than it is to get away with a stolen horse.
The brothers in our lodge have been discussing the branding question pretty freely and all seem to fall in with the horseshoe with the No. of the sub-order in center--A E. Stevens, No, 109, Sycamore, Kansas.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
May 29, 1902
Constable John Burden of Cedar Vale and James Wells of Otto, came to Granola Wednesday morning on track of a man who it was claimed stole a team of horses from Mr. Wells last Saturday night. They had tracked the man to this city and when they arrived here they learned that he passed through this city the evening before going west. Constable Burden went on after his man taking the south road, first enlisting the services of Marshal Charles Sanders, who with Oren Crow took the north road. The stranger was caught at Grand summit both officers driving u at the same time. The man gave his name as Miles Graves and claimed that he had traded for the team down near Sedan. He had a woman, who said she was his wife and her three little girls with him, but she failed to corroborate his statement as to the trade. Mr. Wells positively identified the team as that stolen from him and they were turned over to him. The outfit was brought back to Granola from which place Mr. Burden took his prisoner to Winfield. The woman and children left yesterday morning for Hutchinson where she says they used to live. It may be that Graves did not steal the horses, but it looks like he will get a few years at Lansing. Granola Chief
Territory News
Twenty four persons have been arrested charged with taking a hand in the Braggs race war.
Sholl's livery
barn safe, Muskogee,
was opened by burglars Saturday night and
$65 taken.
The house of Mrs. Head, a widow living near Eufaula, was dynamited last week. The perpetrators ought to be treated to a dose of their own medicine.
Muskogee has bought a couple of bloodhounds and will endeavor to trail the incendiary who has been at work there should he start another fire.
Burglars tired to break into the post office safe in Afton Tuesday night but failed. They stole some goods from the store.
A man named Griggs charged with horse stealing was found hanging from a tree south of Grove last week. He had evidently been lynched.
The fakirs who take orders for groceries at "wholesale" prices are working the farmers around Pauls Valley.
Territory court of appeal will convene at South McAlester June 10. The session will last about two weeks.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
June 5, 1902
Horse Thief Plead Guilty
Ed Jackson, the horse thief, was arraigned before Justice Riney here Thursday. He plead guilty as charged and not being able to give bond, was taken back to the Erie jail to await trial at the next term of the district court. Indications are that Jackson is a new man t the horse stealing business and has no connection with an organized gang as was at first suspicioned.
Prospect of Lynching
A Kansas City World dispatch from Paola Saturday says:
Yesterday afternoon an unknown man went to the home of Thomas Hammond, a farmer living six miles southwest of Paola and insulted and beat his daughter. He then beat Mrs. Hammond with a singletree unmercifully. She has not yet regained consciousness. Several suspicious characters have been placed in jail here and should the man be identified he may meet his death at the hands of a mob, as the feeling runs high. The Anti-Horse Thief Association was out all night looking for him.
Current Comment
A. .H. T. A. lodge No. 137 had a call meeting at Maple Grove Wednesday night. Thayer News
The A. H. T. A. and their families enjoyed a general super at the hall Monday evening, a large crowd being out. Crestline item in Columbus Modern Light.
A petition of 1009 names headed by J. M. Dunsmore has been sent from here to Governor Stanley asking for a pardon for Carrie Nation. Chanute is also rustling a petition. Thayer News.
Irvin Bartlett was cultivating corn on his farm near Edna when a gun he was carrying on his riding cultivator was discharged, the contents plowing through his thigh. Several members of the A. H. T. A., of which lodge Bartlett is a member, at once finished the work of cultivating his corn. Chetopa Democrat.
The A. H. T. A. held their first meeting in the I. O. O. F. hall last night. There were eleven applicants for initiation, but only seven were present for work. There were several visiting brothers from Kinnison and Big Cabin. The candidate all enjoyed the work and we would recommend W. J. Schuth a model candidate for the Antis. Welch, I. T. Star
A remarkable convict was released from the Kansas Penitentiary last week. Jerry Chouteau is his name and he has spent 24 years of his life in the penitentiary and insane asylums. When he came to Lansing 4 years ago he took a vow that he would speak to non one until he had served his time. He kept his vow until his release last week. Then he went to Fort Scott to thank the lawyer who sent him to the pen. Leavenworth Western Life.
The biggest fool horse thief we have heard of for some time hit Cherry Vale, Friday. He went to deputy sheriff Coltfelter's barn and tried to sell his horse for $40. The Deputy Sheriff thought there was something wrong, but agreed to buy the horse at the price, paying $1 down and agreeing to pay the other $39 the next day if the thief could prove a good title. This he agreed to do and went home with the deputy sheriff to spend the night. About 2 o'clock Saturday morning two A. H. T. A. men from St., Paul called at the barn and identified the horse as the one they were hunting. They were kind enough to let the thief finish out a night's sleep before they arrested him, however.--Chetopa Democrat
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
June 12, 1902
James C. Wilkinson office deputy at Vinita is the oldest deputy marshal in the Indian Territory. He has been in service thirty two years. He bears the scars of 3 bullet wounds and one caused by a Comanche arrow. It is estimated that Mr. Wilkinson has arrested and handed in Ft. Smith jail, single handed more than 1,000 prisoners, among them some of the most desperate criminals in the annals of the southwest. Although 58 years old Mr. Wilkinson is as ready with his pistol and can handle a horse with the best men of the marshal's force. Mr. Wilkinson was born in England and came to American when very young. At the outbreak of the civil war he enlisted in the sixteenth Kansas Cavalry. He displayed ability as an engineer and was assigned to special duty with Major George T. Robinson, who was then constructing the defense around Kansas City, Missouri. In all the discussion at present regarding the probably changes to the marshes' force under the division of the northern judicial district no mention is ever made of Mr. Wilkinson.
Territory News
Oscar and Will Terry, wanted for larceny, were arrested last week at Mounds.
Some Tulsa degenerates have been stealing growing flowers from the cemetery.
Town lot jumpers had a big time in Fort Gibson. J. George Wright and city council put a stop to their antics.
A Creek who sells pies to the railroad men near Westville was shot and killed by the marshal of Westville.
A Checotah posse recently captured Lee Casey and Charley Simpson. They are charged with having stolen horses.
Is it not about time that it dawned upon the dull intellect of rascals in the states that this territory is no longer a safe refuge for law breakers?
Captain Jack Ellis of South McAlester has resigned as captain of the Indian Police. Entering the ranks of Indian police in 1886, Captain Ellis soon won his way to the command of that force. His resignation is to take place July 1.
The Daily Ardmoreite has a
special from
Washington announcing
as a certainty that
William M. Mellette of Vinita will be
United States attorney for
the Western district and that W. A. Darrough of Vinita will be United States
marshal for the Northern district.
State News
Thieves stole the gold foil from the dental offices at Coffeyville one night last week.
W. A. Disch is expected to return this evening from Hutchison where he went to get Newton Meeks one of the gang that burglarized Lough Brothers store at Altamont and was caught at Galena and returned to the reformatory. The authorities at the reformatory decided to turn Meeks over to Labette County for prosecution for burglary.--Oswego blade.
A traveling quack doctor recently caught one of our farmers who was ill for a fee of $250. The course of medicine that he left was worthless of course and yet the fake has gone and there is no remedy. All should keep clear of such men. There are always some men in every line of business and profession whom you know and should patronize if you wish to be safe.--Pratt Union
The A. H. T. A. lodge at West Union School has bought 6,000 pounds of binder twine all in one deal for its members and the lodge at the Myers school has contracted the threshing of 2000 acres of wheat to one man who is not in the thresher men's combine. The A. H. T. A. it will be seen can do a little business as a side issue as well as running down horse thieves.--Cherokee Sentinel.
Horse Thief Epidemic
E. G. Horan, a farmer living six miles south of the city, was in town Saturday. He is now short three horses as a result of horse thieves in the last two years. He chased on thief 150 miles into Arkansas and then lost him. He says that last week six Negroes were arrested and jailed on suspicion. Many horses have been stolen in the vicinity within the last few weeks. The farmers, he says and the A. H. T. A. are after the thieves hot and heavy he says and it will go hard with them if they are caught in the act of stealing.--Coffeyville Journal
Horse and Cattle Thieves Caught
Well Brother Graves us Antis have been rustling since I last wrote you. There were some cattle and horses stolen south of our town and the deputy marshals came out and asked us boys if we could assist in arresting the thieves and of course we could. There were 15 of us and we captured S. Kelley and Hi Landrum and they are in jail at Vinita now. If a fellow wants to be arrested and arrested quick just steal from an Anti and he will get his dose quick, but these fellows did not steal from an Anti, but we just wanted to show the U. S. Marshals what we aimed to when we started. So goodbye Brothers Graves. If you ever come to Afton you will find some of the boys who will welcome you. T. A. Jackson, No. 293, Afton, I. T.
Bad man Wanted
Brothers of the A. H. T. A. the only way to get our wrongs righted is to make them know and I do not know of any better way than thru the columns of you paper.
About the 15th of May last I was assaulted with a club about 2 inches in diameter, by an Indian and had one rib fractured, gashes cut in my head and sever bruises on my left arm, neck and face. This Indian gives his name as Elias Maracle and claims to belong to the Mohawk tribe of Indians in Canada where he says he has a family but on the account of trouble he has had there will not return. He left Bartlesville as soon as he had committed the deed and is library to be about Caney, Kansas or in the Osage Nation or in the vicinity of Coffeyville. He is a large well built man about 45 to 50 years old and will weigh about 180 or 200 pounds and quite dark complected and wears a mustache. There is a warrant in the hands of the U. S. Marshals of this district for the arrest and any information that will locate him will be appreciated.
O D. Huling, Marshal No. 276 Bartlesville, I T.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
June 19, 1902
Captured Hog Thieves
On May 25th U. S. Marshal Shipley, of Nowata, was in the vicinity of the Keys Bend (on the Verdigirs) gathering in the Negroes supposed to have stolen Mr. Huffman's hogs on the night of May the 8th. Seven in number were taken before Judge Jennings at Claremore, I. T. and five of them were bound over in the sum of $500 bond each to appear before the grand jury on September 8 at Vinita. One of the number has since given the required bond another was turned loose on his own bond and the other three were still in the Muskogee hold over. When bad men bother 197 we just run them inn, in a drove. Brothers is seven a pretty good haul or not? We will try and let you know what we are doing in this neck of the woods most of the time.
G. W. Patchett, No. 197, Elliot, I. T.
***
H. W. Oakey, of Welch, died Friday morning, aged 55 years and 3 months. The funeral was held in the Welch Baptist church Sunday and was conducted by the Odd Fellows. The funeral procession was over a mile long., the Anti Horse thief Association, of which he was a member, rode on horseback to the cemetery, leading a horse with an empty saddle. Mr. Oakey also belonged to the Woodmen of the World, which lodge marched to the grave. Over 1200 people were in attendance at the funeral.--Chetopa Democrat.
On Outlook For Thieves
Sheriff Cook and his deputies are on the lookout for horse thieves who are thought to be passing through this county on their way from Emporia to St. Joseph, Missouri. The horses were stolen some time last week and are thought to be in the possession of movers. They consist of two fine blooded horses and the owner had offered a suitable reward for their return. It was thought that the people who had stolen them had been located yesterday but when the suspected men were questioned they denied taking them and the horses were not in their herd. The movers stated, however, that they had seen the horses driven by a man on horseback within a few miles of where they were taken.--Topeka Capital.
Sentences Passed
Judge Flammely passed the following sentences on convicted thieves at Oswego, Kansas, last week: Col. Hunter, who stole a horse from B. F. Asbell, was sent to the reformatory.
Richard Sinclair, the pickpocket who operated during the street fair in Parsons, was sent to the reformatory.
Ellis Grimmett, colored, who robbed a dwelling house at Chetopa, was given two years in the penitentiary.
Commodore Wood and Newton Meeks two men implicated in robbing the store of Lough Brothers at Altamont several weeks ago were sentenced to the penitentiary, Wood being give four years and Meeks two years and eight months.
Andrew Peterson Is Found Guilty
The celebrated murder case against Andrew Peterson, which had been on trial at Wellington for ten days, ended Friday in a verdict of murder in the first degree. It was very difficult to obtain a jury at all on account of the intense and widespread of excitement about the matter and it might be impossible to obtain a second one in this county. There was an immense crowd present during the entire trial. Many farmers left their cornfields to attend the trial. It was perhaps the most exciting trial ever held in this part of the state. The verdict meets with general approval. Indeed had he been acquitted there was a danger of a lynching.
Peterson murdered Carl Holt and his niece, Hilda Peterson, at their home on their farm near Greenleaf, Kansas on the evening of January 14, but their bodies were not discovered until the 18th when they were found at their homes, the man's body being inside the house and the woman's just outside the door on a little porch.
The house had been ransacked, showing that the motive was robbery and that they had resisted him, or that he had killed them to avoid exposure. The horse, buggy and and harness were missing and Peterson sold them the next morning at Clay Center for a small price.
From there Peterson returned home and then went to Alma, Kansas to visit a couple of women. He was arrested at Alma on the 19th. The evidence against him was mostly circumstantial, but was very strong. The state used some sixty witnesses in all, including three sheriffs.
The A. H. T. A. Weekly News
June 26, 1902
Chase For A Horse Thief
A colored horse thief who tried to sell John Potter a stolen hose, Saturday afternoon was caught hiding in a hedge fence south of town Saturday evening. He offered to sell Potter a fine horse for $50. Potter became suspicious at once, but in order to hold him for investigation, he bargained for the horse and was to give $5 cash, the Negro was to go out and stay all night with him and next morning go with him ten miles in the country and prove that he owned the horse. When the Negro got on his horse he started on a run in the opposite direction from Potter. The alarm was given and in a short time a number of men were after him. He was crowded so close that he left his horse and started across fields on foot, but he was found and brought back to town,
It developed later that the horse had been stolen from Dr. Williams, of Pittsburg on Friday night. Tuesday two men came from Pittsburg and one took the Negro and the other the horse back with them,--Oswego Blade.