The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-05-14
THE CAPTAIN CAUGHT.
The Chief of Notorious Gang Of
Horse Thieves Bagged Ia Wise
County His Experience Here.

An account was published in this paper
some two weeks since of the arrest of q
young man who gave his name as John f.
Paul, by Deputy Sheriff Smith, and lodged
in Jail on the charge of horse stealing.
At the time of his arrest Paul WAS riding
rather fne-looking animal, which he of.
tered for sale at such low ilgures'as to arouse
the suspicion of the officer, who interrogated
him rs to how he came into possession Of the
animal, and his answers not being of salts
| factory nature, the officer took him in charge.
Paul played the part Of the outraged man to
perfection, and essayed 10 put on n
few extra frills, but the officer succeeded
in bringing him TO the realization of the fact
that he WAS u prisoner, and that all his ca
vorting WAS unculled for and would not be
tolerated, after which Paul bore himself ia n
manner becoming. He declared his inno-
cenCe from the start aud affected to treat the
matter more MS Joke than otherwise, claim
ing that he traded for the horse with Sow
ing machine agent in Denton county. There
was no proof against him further than
that he had offered to sell the animal
for half its value, and he might have been set
ut liberty, but unfortunately for him ne had
pistol on, and he was held on this charge,
and the authorities of Denton county were
written to about the arrest. In the meantime
Paul employed Judge Thurmond to get him
out of his trouble, and gave him the animal
in question MS fee for his services By
some hook or crock his lawyer gained him
his freedom, when no left Deputy Sheriff
Snatsh fam nI la,
following letter from G. W. Murphy, of that
county:
PrLLA, Wise County, May .. 1850.
Deputy Shern smith;
DEAR SIR-Haying lost horse, and see
ing an account in the ballss Daily HERALD
of your having arrested the very man whom
We believe stole the animal, determined to
write to you. We have positive evidence
that Mr.. Paul, the party you have under
arrest, left here about the time the horse was
TAKEN and that he went to Dallas. There is
no doubt that no is the thief Tho nor SO is
deep bay, about fifteen and half hands
high; six years old well formed for travel
ing; with one hind foot white; without any
brands when taken ; in fair living order, but
not fat. He was stolen on the night
of April 9th, which would have
given hun just time to get to Dallas when
you had arrested him. lfyou can secure tina
horse please do SO and writo mo word and |
will pay you twenty dollars for your trouble.
We shall be extremely obliged for des.
cription of the man called Mr., j. Paul, rs it
may let in more light on the subject
Yours, j. w. MURPHY.
In another letter written by him to the
deputy, no gives minute description of tho
stolen Animal which corresponds exactly with !
the one found in Pauls possession and he
adds that there has been number of horses
stolen in that part Of the country of late and |
intimates that Paul is the leader
Of a gang of horse-thieves Yesterday the
officer received the following telegram
from the County Attorney of Wise county,
dated 1
De AruR, May IL. 1880.
sMrIu--Please send description If the
horse you found in the possession of j. +.
Paul when you arrested him on suspicion,
about the 30th of April, and where said
horse now is. Paul is now in custody in this
county, charged with the theft of said
horse. j. w. PATTERSON,
County Attorney.
The officer made inquiries of Judge
rhurmond as TO what he had done with the
horse, who informed him that he had sold
he animal to n man he did not know, and
hat he had changed hands several times and
hat it was out west now, as Tar rs he knew
The officers will endeavor to trace and gain
possession of the horse.