Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-06-25
CAPTURING A THIEF.

that detection was extremely difficult
For few years indeed they had things
much their own way, but at last the farm. /
ers, goaded to action by the failure of the !
authorities to cope with the thieves, or
ganized themselves into vigilance commit |
tees.
The committees were not lawless bodies ]
Of lynchers, but were societies incorporated
under the laws Of the state to protect their |
members against larceny and to recover
stolen property.
The active work of these vigilance com.
mittees was done by tho riders" usually /
five in number. one II whom was captain !
When more help was needed, the riders
might call TO their assistance as many
members as the case seemed to demand.
Among the scores of hardened men who
at that time alternately worked and loafed !
along the Mississippi river was one named
Jim Corsen. Though nothing criminal
had been proved against him, his practices
and associations gave color to the suspicion |
that he would not hesitate to steal what
ever property he could safely make off
with. In his habits he was reckless, dis
solute and defiant
In one particular be differed from most
of his lawless associates. Instead of con-
stantly loafng about the river. whether
there was work to be had or not, he would
occasionally go back few miles into the
country, hire out to some farmer and work
for week OF two
One Of the men for whom he had worked
several times was William Dexter, good
natured. easy going old farmer who lived
zen miles from the river Corsen had
worked SO well for Dexter that the old
farmer had begun to feel confidence in
him.
'Corsen ain't so big a rascal as some
folks would like to make out" he said to
one OF bis neighbors, who had suggested
that 1t was not wise to have such a 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
q yard near the house.
On going out to milk his cows one morn
ing, he found the bars down and all the
eattle gone.
what whstF' he exclaimed, rubbing
hts eyes II aust - left them bars down
last nightP'
He went 10 look for his cattle and found
The herd at midday, but yoke Of fat oxen
which be had been intending to drive 70
market in few days was missing
Corsen was not at the time at work for
Dexter, and no suspicion fell upon him.
Dexter was a member Of the vigilance
committee He notified at once the proper
sfficsrs of the society, and Bla1kman, their
captain, was sent for He was keen,
courageous young farmer, tall and smooth
faced.
Al 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 tho island 1t Is
more likely that he went to town with
ehem nowadays they want the money as
soonSas they can get it."
A night ride Of twenty Fl We miles brought
them to the city, There were in the place
at that time dozen or more cattle deal
ers, including butchers. Each Of them
was visited and closely questioned, but
without any practical result. Not one Of
them reported having seen the stolen oxen
1--WE will look 'em up" said Blackman.
He knew that nearly every butcher had
q pasture Of some sort, as near to the city
as possible, where be kept the beef cattle
be had on hand. He knew that some of
the dealers were dishonest and occasion
ally received stolen property
As quietly IA possible the riders began
the search, going from one pasture to an
other. Just ct nightfall, in pasture
which belonged to German butcher, they
found the missing oxen. Dexter identified
them, took his property and started them
into the city.
So much was accomplished, but it was
now necessary to find the thief.
When the German butcher was confront
ed with the oxen, he rolled his eyes in evil
dent distress. However, he was not dis
posed to give up the cattle.
81 hat bought dose oxens ten days pc
FORE" he declared doggedly.
"See here, my FRIEND" said Blackman,
st will do you no good to lie about this
business. These oxen were stolen night
before last They are fully identified. You
bought them yesterday morning. Now,
sir, You answer our questions-tel US the
truth, remember-or we'll have you in Jail
In less than half an hour"
"Py Shorgc" whined the man. "Ven
hat known dot dose oxens vas stoled,
puys dem not"
1--WE understand that. But tell us what
sort Of man it was you bought them Of"
Thoroughly terrified and convinced that
Blackman could find out whatever he de
sired, the butcher told the whole story
vas young fellar, short und tick, init
black hair und eyes und crooked nose"
"Corsenl" the men exclaimed.
Further questioning served to strengthen
the impression that the thief was Corsen.
To find and arrest him was the next thing
to be done.
1t was found that he generally staid with
a young man Of his acquaintance at q
cabin thirty miles down the river from the
city. An old woman, an aunt of Consents
orony, kept house for them.
The cabin stood at the foot OF one Of the
high, rock crested Mississippi bluffs and
within stones throw Of the river bank.
Anticipating trouble ia making the ar
rest, Blackman called out few more men
On his way down the river. There was
another all night ride, wearying alike 70
men and horses. At the end Of 1t Black
mans party, increased 70 dozen men