The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-10-20

boldest and most successful acts of cattle
stealing that ever came under our notice,
occurred here on Sunday night last Mr..
Joseph Wells, of this town, sometime since
purchased of Daniel Bratton, Esq. a large
lot of beef cattle fattened on Mr.. Bratton' s
farm, a half mile above town. The cattle
were allowed to remain in the pasture and
were taken out by Mr.. Wells as he needed
them.
On Monday morning last, upon going to
the field to select one or more for butcher
ing, he discovered that two head of steers
were missing. The bars being up, and the
fence in good order, it was evident that
they had not escaped of themselves. Mr..
Wells at once came to town and made his
loss known. 1t wasn't long before he was
on the track. Mr.. Rufus Oldham, Of this
place, had seen pair of cattle driven by a
man, cross the bridge at the cauSeway
about half past ten o clock en- Sunday night.
Mr.. w. at once made up his mind that
these were his steers, and started in pur-
suit. He traced them as far as Black bird,
Del, getting tidings of them at Glasgow,
Buck Bridge and other points. At Black
bird, Mr.. Wells was told that the thieves
there now seemed to be two of them) had
passed there early in the day with the cat
tie, and had said that they were bound for
Smyrna Landing, from which point it was
their intention to ship the cattle to Phila-
delphia. 1t being late in the day and long
past the starting time of the boat, Mr..
Wells returned to Middletown and tele-
graphed to Philadelphia to have the rascals
intercepted there. In the meantime, Mr..
Joseph l.. Wells, from information that he
had received by telegram from Mr.. Edwin
B. Smith, who was also out on the chase,
believing the cattle were taken to Smyrna,
telegraphed the authorities there descrip-
ton of them. He received a reply shortly
afterwards, stating that the cattle were there,
having been sold to butcher in that place
early on that morning Monday.) Mr..
Wells, ST., arrived at home early on Tues
day morning, and upon receipt of this in
formation, immed lately started for Smyrna.
Upon his arrival he found the cattle in
the possession of a Mr. Jefferson, butcher
who had bought them of the thief for $50
He stated that on the Friday previous, a
man unknown to him, came to his place of
business, aud told him that he had yoke
of beef steers, and inquired whether or not
he would buy them. After some couversa-
ton, he agreed to buy the cattle, if they
were as represented, and the stranger left
with the understanding that he was to have
them there on Monday morning. That was
late on Friday. He in all probability came
to this place on Saturday, and selected his
cattle between that time and Sunday even
ing. The lot in which they were kept is
located short distance above the railroad
north Of town, SO that to take the route he
did, the cattle had to be driven down Bridge
street and across Main street. This Was
ton, as it was pleasant, bright moonlight
night, and he could scarcely hope to get
clear of town without being observed.
Another theory is that the cattle were
driven across the depot grounds to the
Glasgow. This is supposed by many to be
the route taken, as they would thus avoid
the town entirely, and Mr.. Elias Lum, who
resides on the Chestnut Hill and Glasgow
road, having noticed pair of cattle driven
by one man on foot and one in buggy,
pass his house about eleven o'clock on
Sunday night.
The thief reached Smyrna according to
agreement, and the cattle suiting Mr.. JEFF
ferson, he purchased them at the price
above stated. He remained in town several
hours after the sale, and before he left pro-
missed to bring lot of sheep in a few days.
Had the telegram sent from here to Smyrna
in the morning not have been delayed. in
all probability the rogue would have been
captured. The despatch was, however, al
lowed to lay for some time at Smyrna sta
ton, thereby giving him time to escape.
Mr.. Wells secured his property and shipped
them from Smyrna to Philadelphia and
returned home, Mr.. jefferson, the Smyrna
butcher, being the looser by the transaction.
The enterprisng thief, the principal in
this affair, is described as young man of
medium height, light hair, smooth face,
minus two front teeth, and was dressed in
a good suit Of light colored clothing.