Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1872-09-04
+ ISCELLANEOUS.
Cattle stealiug in Chester County, Pa.


robert Phillips and Henry Grebl'
were arrested few days since, in ?hila
lelphia, charged with stealing cattle. and
committed to prison there. Grehle is a
resident Of Tired " ffrin township, Chester
county, and as lie has dealt in cattle as a
drover, was well known in many parts OF
the county. Phillips was resident OF
Philadelphia. 1t appears that on the
night of August 9th, nine head Of cattle
were stolen from the pasture field of Mr.
Hugh Steen, in WilIistown township
They belonged to different parties in the
neighborhoof and had been placed there
for pas,uring. The Tredy ffrin Detective
Association turned out az soon as the lose
WAS known, and divided into small par
ties taking different routes. Two Of the
gentlemen in pursuit soon got on the trail
Of the cattle and traced them to the Roee
Tree tavern in Della ware county. Halt
ing a shor, time they followed on to the
Lamb tavern The pursuers here stop
ped for dinner. and while engaged at
their rcpa-t we're overheuled by two
Other members of the Association. How
ard S,een and Atley Beidler, who had
also got upon the trail Of the cattle. They
aid not stop for dinner, but pushed on to
lands drove yard in West Philadelphia
There thoy learned tha. seven head o!
cattle had been brought there and soll
by Phillips and Gretle Word was tel
egrsph,d back, and Henry Root and
Hugh Steen buried off in the cars to
join in arresting the thieves. Before they
arrived, the other party had procured the
rervices Of police officer and proceeded
10 the residence of Phillips, in West
Philad, lphia He was taken into cus-
tody. but, 10 a-great change had taken
place in his appearance, and he could
scarcely be rec gnized when he sold
the cattle ne had large bushy whiskers,
but now his face was shaved smooth as a
rnaidens lie denied any knowledge of
the transaction, but seeing the proof
thickening around him soon confessed his
share in tie transaction.
Messrs Root and Steen, while in the
cars, saw Grehle on the platform at a
way citation, aud when the train stopped
lie entered the car, with a bag on his
shoulder He recognized the gentlemen
who were in pursuit, but passed them by
without notice, taking a position upon
the platform OF the car. When the cars
stopped at Hestonville, Greble stepped
off on the platform, followed by Steen
and Root. They shook hands and ex-
pressed their mutual qualification at meet
ing. But Greble was in hurry and
started off. Mr.. Root undertook to de
tain him, when twoforty race took
place. Greble made good time. Steen,
a heavy man, soon gave out, but Root
was in better running condition, and
made good time. Greble kept slightly
ahead. A man along the road attempted
TO head the thief, but he only succeeded
in getting his bag, which contained set
of harness, probably stolen. On they
flew pursued and pursuer. Grebie ap-
peared TO be gaining some advantage,
when barber who had heard the cry Of
"stop thief, rushed from his shop and
headed Greble off, when he was over
taken by Root. The passengers on the
train, as well as persons on the street,
witnessed the race and became highly
interested therein. The parties were
then taken before an Alderman, and after
a hearing were committed to prison. The
theft having taken place in Chester coun-
ty, they were subsequently, brought be-
fore Squire Whitehead, of West Ches-
fer, who sent them to prison to await
trial.
We have already stated that nine head
were stolen and only seven were sold.
On the way to the city during the night
they lost two of the animals, and they
were found near the Leopard Tavern, in
Willstown Greble was well known
along the main route TO Philadelphia,
aud so did not dare to drive the cattle
over the direct route, but kept to the by
ways. The whole transaction was a
very bold one. and the parties engaged
in it have very fair prospect of getting
their just deserts Vet Chester RepuJ-
3icGN