Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1892-08-11

I> Fl tain parts OF
/zZL western Wis
consin were in
Tested with hors ethieves. Their opera
tons were so systematic and covered
so large a region that detection was
extremely difficult.
For few years, indeed, they had
things much their own way. but at last
the farmers, goaded to action by the
failure of the authorities to cope with
the thieves, organized themselves into
vigilance committees.
These committees were not 1awless
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 the vigilance
committees was done by 1.-The riders"
usually five in number, one of whom
was captain. When more help was
needed the riders might call to their as
<sistance 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 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 differed from
most of his lawless associates Instead
of constantly loafing about theiriver,
whether there was work to be had or
not, he would occasionally so back a
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 tames was William Dex-
ter, d good-natured, essy-going old
farmer, who lived ten miles from the
river. Corsen had worked $50 well for
Dexter that the old farmer had begun
to feel confidence in him
''CorSen amt so big rascal as some
folks would like to make him out" he
said to one of his neighbors, who sug-
gested that it was not wise to have such
fellow about
Like most of his 1ieighbors at that
time, Dexter allowed his cattle to
roa at will during the day and at
night shut them in a 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
bling his eyes. 81 must "a left them bars
down last night!''
lie went to look for his cattle and
found the herd at midday, but yoke
Sof fat oxen which he had been intend
ing to drive to 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
pGoper officers of the society, and
He was a keen, courageous young
farmer, tall and smooth faced.
At dark the riders reported to him
for duty. Dexter joined them.
1.-The thief, "rsaid Blackman, ''has
either taken the oxen to the city and
sold them, or he has hidden them on
the0 island. 1t is more likely that he
went to town with them; nowadays
tltey want the money as soon as they
can get it J"
nlGnC rue Oh twenty live hIics
brought them to 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 with no practical re-
suit. Not one of them reported having
seen the stolen oxen.
Blackman knew that nearly eve~y
butcher had a pasture of some sort as
near the city as possible where he
kept the best cattle he had on hand. He
knew that's ONE of the dealers were dis
honest and occasionally received stolen
property.
AS quietly as posi- bic the riders be-
gan the search, going from one pasture
to another. Just at nightfall, in a
pasture which belonged 10 a German
butcher, they found the missing oxen.
Dexter identified them, took his prop
-erty, and drove them into the city.
So much was accomplished, but ii
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, he
was not disposed to give zap the cattle.
''I hat bought dose oxen ten days pc
fore" he declared, doggedly.
''See here, my friend" said Black.
man, sit 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 oul
questions tell us the truth, remember
or we'll have you in Jail in less thar
half an hour"
''Py Shorger' whined the man. 'ver
L hat known dat dose oxens vas stoleC
i puys dem not"
I'VE understand that But tell u.
what sort of a man it was you bough
them of"
Thoroughly terrified and convinced
that Blaclman could find out whateve,
he desired the butcher told the whole
story.
~ dells you true" he said dot mar
vas young fellar, short und tick. mi
black hair und eyes, und a crooked
nose"
0''Corsenr the men exclaimed
Further questioning only served t.
Stranrfhar1 he @h>% = ~.