Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-07-16
A Horse Thief's Den-A Den OF VII.
Iafus and DesperadOes.


From the Roch ester Mimi Federal Union.l
On the night of the Sd ult., as may have
been noticed by our readers, Mr.. John
Murphy, of Haverhill, had valuable
team stolen. Through advertising in this
paper, and by means of posters, he read
| ily traced the property to Reads Landing,
and thence across the river. A high
wind had detained them several hours;
but they had succeeded on Saturday, the
9th, in effecting crossing, and on
Wednesday, the 9Th, Mr.. Murphy reached
| the Wisconsin side, followed on in active
pursuit on horseback, and obtained q
| fresh track at Menomones, which he fol-
lowed on, through devious ways, until he
reached Eau Claire, on Friday, the llth.
| Here be obtained no reliable information;
but pursuing his object, two miles south,
be learned that the team had been landed
at that point; and continuing the route
Of the thieves, traced them to Pleasant
Valley--a place where "bpHmera and
rascals of all grades do most copgregste.
From this pleasant valley, Mr.. Murphy
pushed on q distance of about ten miles,
and obtained again accurate description
of his horses, q man, 90 be was Informed,
riding one Of the animals and leading
the other This reprobate's name, on
inquiry, was ascertained to be Dell Moon,
notorious desperate, well known at
Eau Claire, and habitue of the impen-
etrsLlo "phsppsrels and fastnpsses of
the timber and caves which abound in
that wild region. Making q straight line
| for this Dell Moons house, Mr.. Murphy
| succeeded in reaching it within the dis
lance of about one mile, where he dis
covered what be had no doubt was his
lost team. After this discovery, be took
the back track, about fifteen miles, for
Eau Claire, TO obtain the assistance of
officers. Reinforced by party of Deputy
Sheriff. and police of Eau Claire, num-
bering about ten in ell, they proceeded
to Moons house, which they reached on
Tuesday morning, 18th ult., about the
break OF day, Being aroused, the ruff.
| fan deied the whole crowd-stated that
bis house was an arsenal, fully supplied,
and that he could, fortified as be was, kill
twice the force before him. Propositions
| from some Of the parties were made to
barn bis house but Noon swore that any
one or more of the crowd who ventured
to touch brand to his castle would sure
| ly die. The scoundrel gave the officers
and their posse comitatus just one half
hour, by the watch, to leave, and within
the prescribed time, having made a
thorough reconnaissance Of the horse
thief's ratification, concluded that dis
erection was the better part of valor, and
the ministers of the law and their assist
ants took French leave. Mr.. Murphy
himself was pursued several miles toward
Durand, by the old man Moon, who came
up, armed to the teeth, and, engaging
Mr.. Murphy in an apparently friendly
conversation, they travelled together a
distance of about two miles, when deer
crossed their path snd the old man level
ed his piece and fred at the game. The
moment that the barrels Of his shotgun
we're discharged be proceed to reload
when Mr.. Murphy, leveling q revolver al
the person Of Moon, warned him thai
the self-same moment that he placed 9
charge Of guupowder in the barrel Of biz
gun, that that moment would be his last
and ordering the old man to take the ad
vance, pursued his way TO a point on thu
dividing ridge, between the "tamsracl
swamps," when Murphy's dissgreeabl,
companion gave forth several hideouI
"yells," or Whistles" intended, NJ
doubt, to summon some Of the clan Il
! his assistance, when Mr.. Murphy, pre-
ferring fight to the shedding Of ever
guilty blood, put spurs to his horse snt
: reached Dursnd in safety.
There ought TO be some measure put il
execution-lswfsl, il practicable-but a
ell events some measure, 10 rid tn
country Of this gang. They are wors
scourge to honest men than even Re
publican administration, and that, in al
, conscience, is bad enough.