The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1864-10-18
BOLD HORSE THIEVES.

-Four men, representing themselves as belonging
TO taugh1s command, but really believed to be
Yankee emisaries, went up the Western Rail Road
on Monday the Sd inst and in the evening of that
day were found at the residence Of Mr. John A.
Hunt, two miles beyond Morganton Having
called for supper, Mr. Hunt ordered it for them
After supper, Mr. Hunt invited them into another
room to smoke; but they soon made excuse to walk
out into the yard, and Ii. walked with them One
OF the men then said to him, you will probably be
surprised at the request we are about 10 make OF
you. We-want fosr horses for day or tive to
carry us forward, but will send them back to you
Mr.. H. told them he could not spare his horses
and could not accommodate them. Another then
stepped up and remarked we intend to have the
horses whether you are willing or not, and the least
you say or do in opposition the best for you
where are your saddles and brides? Mr.. ii. told
them he did not know where the brides were, but
there was saddle. pointing to it. They answered,
it made no difference-they would make the ne
groes find them, and accordingly ordered the ne
grees to get pine torches and look up the brides
They went into the stables and barns themselves
and selected four horses and mule, and imme-
diately rode off, taking with them, mounted on the
mule, a free negro found at Mr. Hunts.
Having gone some three miles on their way.
they came to the residence of Mr. Forney, whom
they called on, and told that they wanted to get
horse two. Their words aud manner drew from
Mr. Forney the threat that he would shoot the first
man that attempted TO take his horse But they
were not deferred by this threat, but entered his
yard with the avowed determination of taking them
Mr.. Forney Produced his double barreled gum and
true TO his word, pulled trigger on the robbers
Both caps exploded without firing the loads. The
men then commenced firing at him with colts re-
volyers, having two each. But Mr.. Forney re-
capped his gun and tried it again. and now with
better success: he brought down one Of the rascals
the first fire. The second was failure to hit his
mark, in the darkness Of the night. Meanwhile
they continued to fire on him until they had fired
some Is or 20 shots. He reloaded his gun while
they were popping at him; and being again ready
to fire, they threw up their hands and asked for
truce.
Being alone, with three armed men against him,
and having gained his point, Mr.. Forney agreed TO
let them depart; SO they quietly remounted the
horses they brought, taking with them the man he
had shot down. v ho, by-the-bye, was only very bad
ly wounded; having received one buck shot in the
head, another in the mouth, and several others in
his breast and shoulders
In the mean time, Mr. Hunt had sent word to
Morganton Of what had happened at bis house; and
partly induced by the liberal reward offered 10y w.
f. McKesson, Esq, for the arrest of these offend
ers, and mainly for bringing them to justice and
teaching such men a lesson. small party set out
Immediately in pursuit. On reaching Mr.. For
ney's residence they found he had called in two
three of his neghbors and were preparing to pur-.
sue them. They all moved off together On ap-
preaching Mrs. Caldwels, three miles further up
the road they heard loud groanings, and soon
certained that the robbers had put up there for
the night, the condition of their wounded compan-
ion preventing them from continuing their fight
as they had doubtless intended. They surrounded
the house and demanded surrender, which
Immediately complied with The men were taken
prisoners, brought to Morganton and committed to
Jail to await trial and justice, which win doubtless
be speedy. y.-.Salisbury Watchman.