The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-06-30
No. / wheat is worth 90 cents to-day
Horse Thief Captured.

Last Sunday Richard Nancy and Knute
Peterson came into town with a prisoner
whom they turned over to the sheriff
one John Smet, who confesscs the steal
ing of Peterson's horse, on the night of
the Gath. Mr.. Nancy lives in the north
ern part of Brookville township, and from
him we learned the story of the arrest.
About noon of Saturday a stranger rode
up to his house on horseback. aud was
invited in to dinner. He was mere boy
who gave the name of John Smet, and
said that he liyed on claim north of
Redwood Falls, and~was on his way to
see his uncle, who lived about three miles
south Of Maney's. After dinner, Nancy
took fancy to the travellers horse and
proposed trade, but wanted ten dollars
boot" money between the two horses.
Smet consented to the terms, if Nancy
would take his note for the ten dollars,
as he had very little money with him.
The trade was made, and Immediately
| after Nancy harnessed up his new horse
and went to a neighbors on an crrand.
The latter, in talking about the trade,
told him that he had better be careful,
as horse thieves were abroad and had tax
en- Knute Petcrson's horse the night be-
fore. Nancy told Smet's story about his
uncle, and the neighbor, who is Ger
man. declared that no such person lived
in the locality, as claimed. This excited
Maney's suspicious. and he Immediately
took the harness off the stolen horse and
rode after the man he had traded with,
who happened to be still in sight. The
suspected man rode overa rise Of ground,
and when Nancy got there he saw that
the horse had been turned loose, and that
the thief had evidently taken to his heels.
Nancy rode on with both horses, and sat-
iSticd himself that the culprit was lurk-
ing in the tall grass in the vicinity. He
searched diligently, but the thief man.
aged to get away from him twice before
he finally came up to him. He traced
the boy to house where he had called
for drink. and learning from the wom-
an the road taken by Smet, caught sight
of him third time and got within fifty
rods or SO before the pursued saw him.
Smet tried the disappearance dodge in
another slough, and although Nancy kept
his eye on the spot where he sank down
in the tall grass, managed to crawl
away SO that the latter came near losing
him third time. This time Nancy hail
ed Il Dane near by, and sent for help.
While talking he caught sight of the
young fellow in hiding. who had risen
to see if the coast was clear. Here
Nancy was more careful in approaching
the boy, suspecting that he was armed
He caught sight of him lying fiat. with
his hand over his face, evidently unarmed,
when he dismounted and reused the
young fellow, asking him why he was ly
ing there. The thief said he was sick,
and excused his hiding on the ground that
he thought that Nancy repentcd his bar
gain and had followed him to lick him
and trade back again. Nancy piled the
boy with questions and accusations, and
finally the latter owned up that he had
stolen the horse Of Peterson. The two
went 10 PetersOn's house, and all three
came on to Redwood next day (Sunday)
The prisoner appeared before Judge Bald
win Monday morning, and was bound
over for trial at the next term of court.
Mr.. Nancy tells us that the prisoner
promises to plead guilty, which will give
Nancy the State bounty of $500 without
very much delay. The boy Smet's story
was that he intended to take the horse
back towards this place and into Renville
county for disposal, but in the darkness
and fog he got lost and wandered about
all night, running his horse much of the
time until he got to Mr.. Maney's next
day noon. The latter lives only five
miles from Mr.. Pcterson's place. where
the horse was stolen. Letters found on
the prisoner indicated that his parents
live near Wilmar, kandiyohi county.