The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1866-01-18
An Exciting Chase and Cap
fure Of a Horse Thief.

ture Of "a Horse THIEF.
On Monday morning last, at about
four o'clock, fine horse belonging tc
Mr.. Samuel Hampstead, hotel proprie-
tor at Equinunk, Penn, was taken from
his stable. Mr.. Hampstead discovered
his loss about an hour and half after
ward, and Immediately set about making
preparations for the capture Of the thief
Owing to the fact that the mate to
the stolen animal was lame, Mr.. ii. was
obliged to 60 about mile to a neigh
boris to secure horse, which fact de-
layed him an hour longer, thus giving
the pursued about two aud a-half hours
the start.
Taking the State road, which route
he learned by inquiry and the horses
tracks the thief had taken, hcproceeded
asyapidly as possible toward Cooheeton,
n yasfsqs points getting information as
70 the passing Of the stolen horse and
rider. At the Widow MitchelPs, a dis
iance Of about fourteen miles from the
point Of starting, he learned that the
thief had passed only few minutes
previously, and soon afterwsrd he was
rewarded BY seeing the object of his
pursuit proceeding along the road some
distance ahead Of him At this point
he thought il best TO get his revolver
ready for action, having taken the pre-
caution to load il before starting, but
naturally enough, he had in his haste
lcft the weapon behind him. lie thea
got Of his horse, cut stout shillalah by
the side Of the road, threw Oh bis over
coat, aud, rcmountine, resumed the
chase. Taking advantage Of the curves
in tho road at that point, Mr.. II. mana.
ged 10 get within fewrods Of the thief
before his approach was discovered,
when the latter Immediately put spurs
to the stolen horse and attempted TO Sc
cure his safety by eight. His animal
not being q match for the one ridden BY
Mr.. IT., however, he was shortly overta-
ken, and well aimed blow from the
club sent him rceling over the horses
head This movement. so frightened
Mr.. Hcmpstead's'horse that he became
nearly unmanagcablc, and i was not
until carried several rods farther that
tho latter was enabled 10 dismOunt.---
He Immediately returned TO the spot
where the thief had fallen, and found
that the young man bad managed to
regain his feet, and was making bis way
into the woods Immediately By the side
of the road. The chase was then re-
sumed on foot, Mr Hampstead soon
oyerhauling his man, aud by another
wcll.directcd blow knocking him sense
less, IN which condition he remained
until his hands were securely tied be-
hind his back aud his pockets thorough
ly searched. In the latter were found
a loaded pistol, q number of keys, a gold
watch and various other articles He
had on his person two entire suits Of
clothes. The thief was then tied upon
the stolen horse, Mr.. Hampstead re-
sumed his place in his own saddle, and
with his prisoner took mp the line Of
march for Equinunk There a hearing
was had before Esquire John d. Lord,
the prisoner was bound over to next
Court aud placed in the custody Of Con-
stable Edward Fulkerson, who, on
Tuesday, brought him to lIoncsdale and
lodged him in Jail.
Upon being questioned, the prisoner
gives his name as Charles Hammond,
and states that he halls from Orange
county, n. Y. He farther states that
he had two acoomplices who were to
meet him near Cochecton, one named
William Carpenter and another whose
name he could not give. He is well
dressed young man, and claims to have
been recently discharged from the army.
-HonesdeIie { Pa Herald.