Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-10-19
A Bold Band Of Nebraska HOrse.Thieyes
Spotted and Captured.

4 AO SAtlLCIkS VA oil lily duu hulOs .
Neb , says the Atchison (Kan.o Cham
time past Of numerous d~epredations
committed by a gang of horse-thieves.
Even the Indians on the reservation
have suffered severely from having their
ponies taken from them. No clue could
be had to the d~epredators, and farmers
would keep a sharp look out, yet some
how or other their horses would disap-
pear as if by magic, and nothing further
ever heard from them. Settlers formed
themselves into vigilance committees,
and secured the country far and wide,
with no success, save that they had
been seen at such and such a place, etc.
Finally, after almost every conceivable
plan had been experimental on and all
had signally failed, young man, whose
name will not be mentioned for the
present, resolved to organize himself
into a detective force of one, and en-
deavor to obtain some clew as to who
the guilty parties were. After a few
weeks consultation with himself, he, by
strategy, became one of the members
of the gang, pledged to act in accord
ance with the constitutions governing
all w~ell-regulated bands of banditti,
and proved himself to be one of the
most daring and fearless operators in
the gang, perfectly reckless, and re-
garding his life as only a secondary
consideration. In fact, he was a trump
card, and, always playing a full hand,
was soon led into all their secrets and
stratagems, going with them, always
with them when necessary, and yet only
waiting for an opportunity to present
when he could give them away, and
stop their nefarious practices.
AS each succeeding day brings us
nearer the end, so did each day that
passed into the future bring our band
of thieves nearer the jail. They had
stolen some horses and had determined
to visit Atchison, there to dispose Of
their stock in hand and what other they
might fall into, sell it, divide the pro-
ceeds and return to their homes. The
detective notified Marshal Grail when
they were to be in the city, and placed
that officer on the lookout for the party.
Yesterday they arrived in Atchison,
the detective first having become separ-
1 ated from his companions. He pro-
ceeded to Crall's stables early in the
morning, and inquired if a bay and
sorrel horse had been left there. A
negative reply being given, the detect
i've posted Frank Parks as to the order
of things, and proceeded to saunter
about the city, keeping a vigilant eye
on all streets and for his COM
panions. Shortly after noon the horses
were seen to enter Crall's stables, and
officers were Immediately put On the
alert. After the three had concluded
examining the livery stock, Park, to pre-
vent the detective from giving them all
away, got him into a secluded spot and
kept him out of sight. The thieves
wandered up and down the main streets
and alleys, and returned to the livery
stable; here was the golden opportuni-
ty, and while they were in the stable
the officers came in and took possession
of the two thieves, and incarcerated
them in the County Jail. This occurred
about 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon,
and the detective and the officers who
knew any thing about the case thought
it a good afternoons work.
>. But this was only a beginner. Mar
shall Grail had spotted a suspicious
!, looking individual during the afternoon,
!, and, falling into conversation with him,
+ found he had some stock to sell. Pro-
: ceedine to an old stable owned by G.
+ w. Buckheart, near the Etna engine
house, there he Unexpectedly saw two
strange horses and one or two men. He
Immediately arrested the men and
| placed them in jail. They had disposed,
J during the morning, of horse to a man
named Dugan, in West Atchison, fol-
$40. Here was a fresh field and a puz.
zler to Marshal Grail, who had not
heard of this new lead, but he took ad'
: vantage of it by having Dugan identity
: the party, returned to him the money
for the stolen horse, and arrested the
b thieves.
n This made four men and four horses
that had been captured during the day
e by Marshal Grail, and Officers Truesdel
and Clark. They give their names a:
Harry Bayless, Montgomery Bayless, j
r w. Smith, alias Osborne, anc
{ Nathan Leonard. The Bayles'
b brothers are from Falls City
and the remainder from tina
e vicinity; n or w had evidently beer
e here before, as they appeared to be ia
miliar with the alleys and side streets
and acquainted with several citizens
After they had been placed in jail Maj
e shall Grail examined each prisoner sepa
rately, and received as many version:
n as to where they came from and wher
e they got their colts and ponies.
vt The thieves will be taken befor
b United States Commissioner John M
l. Price, this morning, when a hearinI
l. will be granted them. -.
b This is probably only a portion of tn
band, and further ARE SITS may be look
x ed for soon, as the officers are on tn
d track of several suspicious characters
- Extraordinary Suicide.
u - @ .etr