Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1892-08-18
DESPERATE CAPTURED

twenty-five Years ago certain parts
of Western Wisconsin were infested
with horse-thieves Their operations
were so systematic and covered so large
a reign that detection was extremely
difficult
For few years indeed. they had
things much their own way; but at last
the farmers. goaded 20 action by the
failure of the authorities to cope with
the thieves, organized themselves into
vigilance committees
These committees were not lawless
bodies OF lynchers. but were societies.
Incorporated under the laws Of the
State TO Or, tect their mem Jers against
larceny and 10 recover stolen property.
The hclive work of these vigilance
committees was done by ''tho riders,
usually five in number, one Fl whom
was captain. When more rep was
needed, the riders might call 10 their
assistance as many members as The
case seemed to demand.
Among the scores Of hardened men
who at TINT time alternately worked
AMI loafed along the Mississippi River
was one lamed Jim Corsen. Though
nothing criminal had been proved
against him, his practices and associa
tons gave color to the suspicion that he
would not hesitate TO steal whatever
property he could safely make Off with
In his habits he was reckless. dissolute
and defiant.
In one particular he differs from most
of his lawless associates. Instead of
constantly loating about the river.
whether there was work to be had or
not. he would occasionally 90 back
few miles into the country. hire out to
some farmer. and work for week or
two.
One of the men for whom he had
worked several times was William
Dexter, a good-natured easv going old
farmer who lived ten niles from the
river. Corsen had worked so well for
Dexter that the old farmer had begun
to feel confidence in him.
"Corsen amt so big a rascal as some
folks would like to make him out" he
said TO one of his neighbors, who had
suggested that ii was not wise to have
such fellow about.
Like most of his neighbors at that
time, Dexter allowed his cattle to roam
at will during the day, and at night
shut them in yard near the house.
On going out TO milk his COWS one
morning, he found the bars down and
all the cattle gone
What WHAT he exclaimed rub
Jung his eyes, Il must a left them
bars down last night
He went to look for his cattle, and
found the herd at midday but yoke of
lat oxen, which he had been intending
to drive TO market in a few days, was
missing.
Corsen was not at the tiEe at work
for Dexter, and no suspicion fell upon
him.
Dexter was member of the vigilance
committee. He notified at once the
proper officers of the society, and Black
man, their captain, was sent for. He
was q keen, courageous young farmer
tall and smooth faced.
At dark the riders reported to him for
duty. Dexter joined them.
The thief, said Blackman. has
either taken the oxen TO the city and
sold them. or he has hidden them on
the island 1t is more likely that he
went to town with them; nowadays
,hey want the money rs soon rs they
can get it
a night ride OF twenty five miles
brought them 10 the city There were
in the place at that time dozen or
more cattle dealers, including butchers.
Each of them was visited and closely
questioned, but without any pratical
result. Not one OF them reported hay-
ing seen tie stolen oxen.
I'VE will look EN- up. said Black.
man.
He knew that nearly every butcher
had a pasture of some sort as near TO
the city rs possible, where he kept the
beef cattle he had on hand He knew
that some of the dealers were dishonest
and occasionally received stolen prop
erty.
As quietly as possible the riders be-
gan the search, going from one pasture
10 another. just at nightfall, in pas
ture which belongs to a German butch
er. they found the missing oxen.
Dexter identified them took his proper
ty, and started them INTO the city.
So much was accomplished: bat il
was now necessary To find the thief
When the German butcher was con-
fronted with the oxen, he rolled his
eyes in evident distress. However, be
was not disposed to give up the cattle.
II haf bought dose oxen ten days
pefore, he declared doggedIy.
See here my friend, said Black
man, 1T will DO you no good 10 liz
about this business These oxen were
stolen night before last, They are tully
identified You bought them yesterday
morning Now. sir, YOU answer Gun
questions, tell US The truth, remember
or ven have you ia jail ia less thar
half an hour
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