, 1885-02-27
STRANGE LAW.
Nebraska a Safe Retreat For One
Class of Criminals.
Sheriff Craig Tracks an Offender
but Loses Him.
Defective Laws Which Stockmen
Are Anxious to Remedy.

Owing to a discrepancy IN the laws Of
Nebraska a certain class of criminals find
a safe harbor in that state, and until the
errors in the laws are remedied the officers
will be powerless.
1t will be remembered that Sheriff
Craig recently had given to his charge the
capture Of a man named John J. Peter
son, who last fall left the county with a
team of mules upon which q man named
kendig had a mortgage. The sheriff
followed a number of clues and finally
became satisfied that Peterson was in
Nebraska AT his request Peterson was
finally arrested by a Nebraska sheriff and
a few days ago Sheriff Craig started for
the criminal.
Peterson was captured at the home of
relatives. Two of his brothers, and a
number Of friends, at once began meas
ures for his release from jail. A writ of
habeas corpus was issued on the ground
that the Nebraska sheriff had no authority
for making the arrest, a telegram being
held insufficient authority. Thereupon the
sheriff obtained a warrant and re-arrested
Peterson. The day before Sheriff Craig
arrived Peterson again geined his liberty,
another writ Of habeas corpus having
been granted upon rather eccentric
grounds.
1t seems that owing to a clerical error,
or perhaps a Legislative defect in the
laws, the removal. concealme mt or dis
posal of ~mortgaged property is mot a crime
in that state, and another law on the
statute book declares that no citizen of
Nebraska shall be arrested within the
borders Of that state for any crime COM
mitted without the jurisdiction ofthe state
when the said crime is not u crime under
the laws OF Nebraska.
Aided by his friends and championed
by legal advisors Peterson obtained his
freedom, and it is suspected he at once
went to Iowa. Atany rate he disappeared.
The mules were recovered however, and
when Sheriff Craig arrived Peterson's
counsel was anxious to effect a settle
ment. The propositions were declined
and the Nebraska sheriff will sell the
mules at public auction. The proceeds Of
the sale will be devoted to the payment
Of the mortgage and 30 Mr.. Kendig,
who is a poor man, will not
suffer any financial loss by reason of Pet
erson's rascality.
Sheriff Craig has devoted considerable
time and attention to the case, and by
persistent effort succeeded in trailing
Peterson many months after he had left
this region. The offense was committed
long before Sheriff Craig became an officer
and therefore he began his investigations
under very unfavorable circumstances.
The detective skill displayed was Of the fin
est, and he was naturally piqued at Peter
on'sescape. However, the mules were re-
covered, and the main purpose ofthe pur-
suit was accomplished.
The attention of the legislature of Ne
braska has been calledto the defects in the
laws, and it is stated the errors will be
corrected at the next session of the as
sembly. At present a man could mortgage
a herd of cattle in Nebraska for their full
value, drive them to Missouri, sell them.
and could not be punished; or if the same
o6ense was committed in Wyoming or
Colorado and the criminal fed to Nebras-
ka, he could defy the officers. The law is
probably unconstitutional but is in effect
nov.