Dodge City times., 1879-09-06
HORSE THIEVES.

The frequent complaints OF horse stealing
reported in this and adjoining counties, are
atraciing the attention OF every community
and urge the necessity Of adopting measures
by which 4 stop may be put to the abomin-
able crime. The fact cannot be denied that
the present system OF executing tie Law does
not provide the necessary protection for far
mers and owners Of stock, and as a conse-
quence frontier county like ours is far
more exposed TO the ravages Of outlaws, who
here find welcome field wherein to carry
ou; their nefsrious vocation, and then escape
in the surrounding country, which affords
them every opportunity TO hide their spoils
and avert detection. Well aware that the
want Of means renders their capture more
difficult, they will in most every instance
take their prey Of settlers whose INDECENT
circumstances do not permit them to spend
much time and money in their pursuit.
In counties farther east and less exposed
than this, the Boards of Commissioners
have offered standing rewards OF from fifty
- one hundred dollars. fof the apprehen-
sion and conviction OF every horse thief.
Here, the Board of Commissioners have,
with one single exception, not only refused
10 offer or pay any reward whatever, but
have even rejected every fair and just claim
Of the Sheriff and his officers for expenses
incurred in pursuing horse thieves, when
they failed 10 capture the scoundrels.
The laws CT Kansas do not compel the
Commissioners TO pay such claims unless a
conviction is had in the case; but when they
refuse 10 use their own Judgment and discre-
iion in adjusting falr and just claim, the
otiioers are discouraged aad hesitate to incur
expenses as long as il is doubtful whether
they will ever be reimbursed. II lbers!
reward was offered for the capture of every
horseihief, who has stolen property in his
possession, the ranch and stock men in the
surrounding country would ieel interested
AID assis. in the capture Of every such rascal
and the recovery OF the stock.
Notwithstanding these adverse circum.
stances, cur county Jail il, thanks to the eff
cieni services Of our Sheriff and his depu-
lice, crowded with horseihieves, that in all
Aprobability more and sufficient quarters will
have to be provided for them; and still more
complaints CT their rsvsges are heard almost
every day in this county. In order to put
an efieciual stop to it, .he farmers of every
settlement and neighborhood should bind
themselves together, to defray jointly and in
common any and all expenses necessarily to
he incurred for the recovery OF stock, and in
the apprehension Of the perpetrators Of the
crime committed against any one Of their
number. They should also urge upon the
Beard of County Commissioners the neces-
a,y of offering liberal reward Tor the cap
ture OF every horse thief who has stolen
property from any settler in this county in
his possession, and especially TO adjust fair
and just claims Of officers for expenses they
have incurred in the discharge Of their du-
lies when in pursuit of horse thieves. By
such means our county would soon be re-
lieved of the sco9ndrel-, who would look
for greener fields, where they can practice
their profession with less danger.