San Andreas independent., 1856-11-29
Increase OF Crime.

perjury-the one generally hinging on the
other through the various gradations of
crime. That these species of crime are
on the increase at this time, all must
acknowledge. An epidemic has sprung up
within two years, for horse stealing, and
the most daring deeds connected with vii
lainy, are almost daily planned and execu-
ted by marauding gafgs, headed by some
self constituted Tom Bell or Joaquin, to
rob the ranchero or teamster of his stock
Recently, events have come to light that
60 far to criminate, in horse stealing, and
friendly aid to horse thieves, some of the
first men of the State-many of them
high officers of the law. Such charge
will no doubt astonish many of our readers,
but we make it in all seriousness, and will
give our reasons for thinking and firmly
believing such is the case.
In the first place, it is self-evident that
some all-powerful protection is safforded this
species of crime, or the thieves would not
be so bold in maturing their designs, and
in the execution of their plans-not even
caring to disguise their trail, or use the
least concealment, after the act, to prevent
detection. Some even giving themselves
up, through their sworn friends, to get
the reward offered by the Governor, Coun-
ty Sherifs, or other parties. In this
county, the officers of the law have been
Jealous in detecting crime, active in pur-
suit Of criminals, and always on the alert
to prevent the committal of outrage
Within our short editorial career, we have
noticed with pride and satisfaction the eff
forts of Sheriff Clarke and his deputies,
to pursue down and arrest the various
bands of horse thieves temporarily sojourn-
ing in and passing through this county
To the efforts of these faithful officers, are
we indebted for the arrest of Tom Bells S
gang, and the imprisonmentof the Farnes-
worths. The fidelity of these officers has
been tested on various occasions, and in
each they have been true to their trust
But the evil we complain of exists outside
Of this county. It exists in the corrupt
officers of Sacramento, Marysville and
Nevada. There are the loop-holes through
which the rogue escapes, and while such
state of affairs exist, what use is it for
our county officers to spend their labor,
time and money-often at the risk Of val
liable lives-in arresting thieves, only to
be turned loose on their arrival among
their friends at either of the above named
cities? Thus is it that our officers are
chagrined, and hooted at by the cut-throat
crew, because they will not let them off
when arrested for theft, like the Police
of Sacramento does"
Only month since, Sherifs Clarke,
Milford and posse, spent weeks of time
and hundreds of dollars of money in pur-
suing to arrest Tom Bells gang, getting
only their trouble for their pains. In fact,
the exposure and fatigue brought Sheriff
Clarke to sick bed, where his recovery
for some time was very doubtful. Now,
we learn that the fruits Of this great ex-
pense and labor have been scattered to the
winds, and the two Farnesworths are again
loose on the community, ready to take the
highway, murder, or steal horse, if op-
portunity offers. They broke Jail at Ne
vada, and the result of that act was the
loss of two valuable lives-the Sheriff of
Nevada and his Deputy-all because some
person, perhaps an officer, was friend and
coadjutor of the prisoners. The Jail at
Oroville has also been broken open and all
the prisoners allowed to escape,-among
the number were three notorious horse
thieves.
Almost the same thing has been enacted
at Marysvllle. Some time since party
of thieves MILLER, Vroman and others).
stole number of horses in this vicinity.
and run them off to Sacramento; where,
through police officer Harrison Gan honest
exception), they were arrested and the
stock detained. The owners of the stock
here, after great expense in telegraphing
and hunting for the animals, heard of their
arrival in Sacramento city, went down to
see about them, identified the thieves and
their animals-thus succeeding in fixing
positive evidence Of horse-stealing on Mil
Ter and Vroman. All this trouble and ex-
pense was useless, as now the thieves are
again abroad committing new depredations.