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

|, ture of q Horse Thief.
On Monday morning last, at about
four O'Clock, "a fine horse belonging te
Mr.. Samuel Hampstead, hotel proprie
tor at Equinunk, Penn, was taken from
his stable, Mr.. Hampstead discovered
his loss about an hour and a half after
ward, and Immediately set about making
preparations for the capture Of the thief
/ Owing to the fact that the mate te
the stolen animal was lame, Mr.. H. was
obliged to go about mile to a neigh.
boris to secure a horse, which fact de-
layed him an hour longer, thus giving
the pursued about two and a-half hours
the start. 5G 3oq1fig
Taking the State road, which route
he learned by inquiry and the horses
tracks the thief had taken, he proceeded
as rapidly as possible toward Cocheeton.
at various points getting information as
to the passing of the stolen horse and
riders At the Widow MitchelPs, a dis
tance of about fourteen miles from the
point of starting, he learned that the
thief had passed only few minutes
previously, and soon afterward 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 it before starting, but
naturally enough, he had in his haste
left the weapon behind him. He then
got off his horse, cut stout shillalah by
the side of the road, threw off his over
coat, and, remounting, resumed the
chase. Taking advantage of the curves
in the road at that point, Mr.. H. mana
ged to get within wrods 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 flight. His animal
not being match for the one ridden by
Mr.. H., however, he was shortly overta-
ken, and well aimed blow from the
club sent him rreeling over the horses
head. This movement SO frightened
Mr.. Hempstead's horse that he became
nearly unmanageable, and it was not
until carried several rods farther that
the latter was enabled to dismount.-
He Immediately returned to the spot
where the thief had fallen, and found
that the young man had managed to
regain his feet, and was making his 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, and by another
well-directed blow knocking him sense
less, in which condition he remained
until his hands were securely tied be-
hind his back, and his pockets thorough
ly searched. In the latter were found
a loaded pistol, a number of keys, 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 up the line of
march for Equinunk. There hearing
was had before Esquire John D. Lord,
the prisoner was bound oyer to next
Court and placed in the custody of Con
stable Edward Fulkerson, who, on
Tuesday, brought him to Honesdale and
lodged him in Jail. ai 4 -
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 accomplices 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
- -Honesdale (Pa.) Herald. M
y THAD. STEvENs.-The acknowledge
ed position of this Individual as the
leader Of the Republican majority in
The House of Representatives reminds