Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-06-20
A BAD NAN CAPTURED.

Some weeks ago man about 80 years
Of age rode into Ellinwood on a very
nice looking horse, having on it only a
bride and blanket. He left the horse
in Shorts pasture near town, saying he
would call for it. That night a valu-
able mare was stolen from E. L. Hotch-
kiss of EllinwOod. The next day Mr..
II. had men start out in every direction
in search of the animal. Mr.. III. and
deputy sheriff Kline found where a
man answering the description of the
one who left the horse in pasture had
taken breakfast at farm house some
seven miles south of Sterling, he having
with him a mare that answered to the
description of Mr.. HIS. animal. Going
on east they next found two men who
said they saw the same man and horse
in Hutchinson the same day he had
been seen at breakfast near Sterling.
Two or more weeks were spent in
searching the country in every direc-
ton, but no further trace of Mr.. H's
mare was found; but on the first day
of their search Messrs. Hotchkiss and
Kline found horse IL miles south of
Arlington that had been stolen. Mr..
Kline had description of the horse and
thief, and upon tracing the matter up
found the theft, young man about II
years old, only miles from where the
stolen horse was left.
Notwithstanding Mr.. HOtchkiss Of
fered a reward for his mare, no further
trace was had of her until early last
week. III. thought, however, that
the man who left the horse at Shorts
pasture was the man who took his
mare, and that he would either come
or send some one after the horse
he had left. In this he was right.
Tuesday of last week he came after
the horse at Shorts. After staying
around while he attempted to pull out
of town, when Jim Barngrover and
Tony Auchstetter arrested him, charg-
ing him with stealing Hotchkiss' mare.
This he strongly denied. When asked
his name he gave fictitious one. A
paper was found on his person concern
ing a piece of land near Kinsley, the
of the land being given, and
the paper being addressed 10 81. John
son. Kinsley." This paper the fellow
said he picked up on the road. Feeling
assured they had the right man. Mr..
III. sent Jim Barngrover west on the
night train, to the land near Kinsley
as described in the note found on the
fellow. Upon re aching the place Barn
grover found the mare, and telegraphed
the fact to Hotchkiss.
In the meantime, the thief had con-
fessed that the mare was at the place
designated, but still maintained that
he had not stolen her, which probably
saved his neck, as the people of Film
wood were strongly tempted to string
horse left at Shorts pasture was stolen
Dy the same fellow from the tele-
graph operator at Kinsley. johnson
further confessed that he had stolen a
black horse from farmer in HOdgeman
and told where it could be
found.
johnson was brought to Great Bend
was indicted, and on Friday
;ried and found guilty and sentenced
10 three years in the state penitentiary.
Sheriff Wilson took him down Saturday
Although the horse stolen from Mr..
HOtchkiss was valuable one, he has
been to an expense almost equal to the
value of the animal. His efforts have
in the capture of two horse
thieves and recovery of four stolen
horses. The county commissioners
will probably allow some of the ex-
penses of the sheriff and deputies,
which is but right, as it is pretty steep
expenses incurred in this capture.