The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-02-16
"Shep" Tinker,
T. SPIcER SoUILLMAN.

The Zinesville Courier recently con
iained the following interest correspond.
ence in relation to that somewhat noted
character, Shep Tinker:
This somewhat remarkable and noted
character was born IN the State of Yer
mont, in the year 1S0S. During the year
1916 his father concluded to forsake the
old hills Of Vermont, and go West, which
he did, and in October of the same year
landed in Putnam, now the Ninth ward of
this city. He moved into the DIR. Canaan,
house, a two story brick building which
was located on the lot now owned by Mr.
Charles Munson, and was formerly a part of
Mr.. Potwin's lawn. Here in the very bos-
ON OF Puritanical Christianity, Saints
Rest, young Shep Tinker spent four years
Of bis juvenile days.
In the year 1920, "Shep's" father con-
cluded to change his location from Putnam
to Monroe township, Perry county, which
he did, and located on a farm, where his
family Of nine children all grew up to use
iulness, with the single exception Of the
subject Of this article.
In February, 1882, our hero concluded
that IL was no good to live single life
longer, and he married lady belonging ia
highly respectable family of Athens
county. As n natural result of this mar.
rage, several children were born unto
them, some ofwhom are known to the writ.
er. and all, without a single exception, are
good, useful, and in some cases christian
citizens. There is not a black sheep in the
flock. The father, perhaps, ia not to blame
for this however.
For ffty.three long years has Shep Tin
ker lived IN Monroe township, Perry coun
ty, where he now lives and in all that time
either on the old homestead farm or the
one adjoining it. We have stated that h,
lived there all of these years, but such il
not exactly the fact. His family have beer
there, and during many of the years com
prising the ffty-three they knew nothing o
his whereabouts.
Thirty or thirty.fve years ago no nam,
was more familiar to large majority o
the people Of this part of Ohio than wa
that OF Shep Tinker. The life of this maj
has been eventful, full of romance an,
crime.
IL has never been charged against hi
character that he ever committed or pro
cured the murder of any one, while tn
contrary has always beer characteristic O
the man. Murder and highway robber
were no part Of his failing. Horse stealin
seemed 20 ne the controlling element of hi
nature, and yet it il exceedingly doubtful
II he ever personally stole horse. TIL
success Of bis operations in this deparsmer
Of crime depended altogether upon hi
strength, and sagacity as q leader Of set {
ignorant and bold desperadoes, who WEI
always at his command and only too will
ing and plant tools TO do his bidding. II
would first spot bis animal. arrange all
his plans, and then select his man or me
in any particular case to remove the hors
from the possession Of its owner to such
place rs he had previously arranged, whIc
place was often hundreds of miles ava
from the scene of theft. Few men wei
more respected by their clan, than w,
Shep Tinker. Thirty years ago no man
name was better known throughout a
Southeastern Ohio than was his.
have stated that his ruling passing (,
crime consisted in horse stealing, whic
was the fact. but coupled with it there W
an irresistible weakness in his nature 4
dealing IN counterfeit money. Then as Il
champion horse thief and dealer in cou
terfeit money, he stands to-day, unsurpas
ed by any one man in Ohio as having bes
the most fearless and notorious adept
those branches of crime of which recol
gives any account Of ever having exist,
anywhere within the State, from its form
tion TO the present time.
Personally, he is man with limit
education, pleasant and affable in addre
and manners, speaks quick, is never wea
OF talking to those for whom be has no d
taste, and ifany of my readers were to me
him they would at once taken him to be
pleasant, genial, old farmer, 20 far as
appearance would indicate. Having be-
arraigned before the courts so often, al
possessing an unusual amount of sagaci