The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1858-06-26
Horse Thief Lvuched.

The Leayenworth Times has letter
from Leroy. Cofey county, dated June
4th, detailing the action of Judge Lynch
in regard to horse thief in that region.
We had heard statements in regard to the
affair, but having no reliable information,
had withheld any statements touching the
subject. We copy =
LEROY, June 4th, 1858.
As you will doubtless be under the ne
eessity of informing your readers that a
horse thief was hung at this place on the
Sd inst, I hope you will find it convenient
to insert this brief statement of the facts
and circumstances connected Herewith,
that the citizens of this portion of the
country may not be misunderstood
For some time past Mrs. Claywell,
with five sons, well known thieves, have
resided near Burlington, about ten miles
from here. On one occasion, last winter,
they broke open and robbed store at that
place, and also stole several articles of
clothing from ball room, on the same
night, for which they were arrested by the
citizens, and threatened with summary
punishment. They were, however, re-
lieved on condition that they would pro-
duce the missing property (Which they
did, and leave the country. The excite
ment soon died away, and the eulprits not
only disregarded the conditions of their
release, but continued their adventures
with renewed energy. On Tuesday last,
our sheriff arrested Warren Claywell, near
Burlington, Under writ from Lykins
county, for stealing a horse, and brought
him here to await the arrival of an officer
from that locality. His brothers followed
and threatened to rescue him, whereupon
one of them Frank was taken by party
of citizens to the woods, where, after his
neck had been pretty well stretched, he
said that that was not the first time he
had had rope about his neck, and that
he had not stolen more than five horses in
the Territory, but had pressed great many.
He also said that he helped to rob two
stores and two OK teamsters of their teams
and money. Four of the boys were then
put under guard, and Warren was taken
before justice of the peace and made an
affidavit, in which he said he had stolen a
horse mile or two from here, and rode
it to Jefferson City, where he was captured
and committed to Jail by justice, and
that he had paid one Kennedy and another
man whom the sheriff had employed to
guard him, twenty dollars and saddle, to
let him go. He then went to Lawrence
and stole pony, which he traded on Pot
towotomie creek, near Central City, fol
another, which he rode home, and which
is now in the hands of the sheriff of this
county. He said, further, that he had
been committed to jail four times for vari-
Gus thefts in this Territory, and had
escaped every time. They also gave the
names of about thirty of their confederates
who had better give the Neosho country
a wide berth.
Owing to the imbecility and looseness ot
our courts, as well as the immense travel
required to reach them, no one would con-
sent fora moment to rely upon them fol
redress. Accordingly, the people from al
parts of the country were requested to at.
tend meeting to devise some means o
disposing of such characters, and / may
say with truth that the meeting on Thurs
day was the largest ever held in Coffey
county.
A jury of twelve men were appointed
and organized, when Warren Claywell ap.
peared before them, with his council, fol
trial. In about two hours he was pro
nounced guilty of horse stealing. Three
distinct propositions for his disposal were
then submitted to the meeting. The mild,
est, which was to let him go, being pu
first, received no votes; the second, being
to commit him for trial in the distric
court, received twelve votes and the last
which was to hang him, received abou
three hundred against thirty seven. Th,
prisoner was then taken to the woods
where he was allowed to spend an hou
with the rest of the family and a minis
ter, in prayer, before departing for his lon!
home. The rest of the family were thel
notified that they could have six days t.
leave the country in, and that they woulc
beshot without ceremony, wherever found
after the expiration of that time.
The body has been decently inferred
and need hardly add, the family ar
already on their way toward the Missouri
river, with four yoke of oxen and a wagon
so you may be on the lookout.