The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-04-27

The return of good roads and warm weather
again exposes our peaceable communities TO the
marauding incursiuns of this most annoying class
of thieves. II appears that they are already on
the move, the Sherif's ciice being in almost daily
receipt Of hand bills for stolen horsas. Il seems
astonishing that property, the stealing of which is
attended with so much risk, in this day of rail-
roads and telegraph lines, should be so frequently
and successfully carried of. Difficult as the uu-
dertaking may seem, it is said that in four cases
out of FIVE, the thief makes his escape. There
seems to be strange sort of fascinatlon-a kind
of Robin Hood lore of adventure, with large por-
ton of this class of thieves. There are, no doubt,
several organized bands in operation, and almost
as systematic as our Postofice system.
The trial of Tom " Long, at the late Term of
the Wood Common Pleas, discloses this fact almost
beyond doubt. Long was probably one of the
ablest most experienced, and discreet horse thieves
that ever infested this part Of the State. This
criminal stole horse and was convicted and SEN
fenced from Seneca County, when not yet l6 years
of age, but was pardoned out account of his ex-
treme youth. lie continued the practice, with now
and then short intermission, while in the hands
Of the law, which he frequently succeeded in
evading. We subioin some facts relative to the
stealing of the Wilson horse and buggy, in Por-
tage, in June last, in which Long was the princ-
pal actor, assisted by brother pal and cracksman,
the roted Henry Brough, alias Dave Carney.
This sito " was arranged sometime in May, to
take place Immediately after some =" lifling" jobs
in Hancock County. On the 9th of June, Long ar
rived at Portage. 1t was the original intention to
take both of Mr.. WILsoNs horses, they being a
matched span of cream mares, and both were led
out of the stable, but on examination, one was
found to be unfit to travel and make time, and she
was put back in the stable. Carney Joined Long
near Gilboa with batch of the queer" which he
had just brought from Detroit, and they travelled
by forced marches to the Kankakee swamps in
Indiana, over 200 miles, avoiding all large places
aud railroad stations. Here amid the almost in
tcrminabe marshes, they drove TO the house of a
farmer, and wished to turn the horse out to pas
ture, as they wanted to visit an uncle in a town
near by and let the horse rest After getting their
supper and the postoffce address they left to re-
turn in ten days or so, after seeing their uncle.
Long now borrowed batch of Dawes "queer," {"
giving the rig in pledge, and they separated to
meet again at the farmers house. But Long sue
ceeded admirably in passing the "queer," so he
did not 60 back, but wrote letter in care of the
farmer, to Carney. The mail was delayed and
the letter did not reach there till after Carney had
got the horse. The old man took the liberty to
open the letter, which contained directions to Car
ney concerning the horse, also gave an account of
his own success, and that he would soon expect to
hear from Dave, by letter, at Perrysburg, Ohio,
where he (Long) was going soon.
The farmer showed the letter to the County
Sheriff, who had just that day received hand bill
from Wood County, Ohio. and then the whole
thing leaked out. The old man sent the letter to
Perrysburg, and with it correct description of
Long. dligent watch was now kept by the
Sheriff at this place fer the visitor, but Tom was
not yet through. He now went to the Iroquois
woods, near the Illinois State line, where he stole
span of black horses aud ran them to Iowa, and
then came to Perrysburg, but had scarcely ar
rived when he heard that his brother was in j all
for burglary, and forthwith procured an attorney
and went 10 his assistance, not suspecting that
aught was known of him.
But justice was on his track. Tom was discov-
cred and locked up, from whence he went to Peni-
Tertiary for IL years, making, by his own confess
ion, the third time he has been sentenced in this
State. Long is possessed of more than ordinary
intelligence, uses good language and is we'll
versed in the Statute Laws Of Ohio, Indiana aud
lllnOis, and had great contempt for any brother
thief who, by any foolish action, as he termed it,
got caught up. He said it was only his " damned
luck" through which he got caught, and not on ac-
count of any foolish or careless action. Had Long
displayed the same energy, pess ,verance and skill
in any legitimate business of life, that he did in
stealing, his success would have been admirable
The dog that kills sheep always goes from his
own neghborhood, and the same of the discreet
thief Long would leave his own neighborhood
and travel by night and day, and suddenly pounce
down upon some unsnspecting neighborhood and
run away span of horses, which were frequently
never heard of again.
He was long suspected in his own neghborhood,
and with the mob of thieves to which he belonged,
was constant terror to the surrounding commuui-
ties, as was plainly evinced by the interest shown
at the trial Of the two Longs.
Thus, two of the principals from this mob of
bold and successful marauders have been over
taken by the hand of justice. The remainder are
spotted, and will do well to confins their raids to
localities where they arc not suspected. Our cit
liens will likewise do well to take note Of all stran
gers, and especially of those who have no apparent
business, or have a suspicious appearance, Dur
ing the last year, horse thievng became so common
about indianapolis, that the people were compelled
TO organize Vigilance Committee.
How to Dispose of MutiIated Curr ency.
A great macy persons are at a loss to know how
to dispose Of ragged and mutilated currency that