The Lamar register., 1892-06-25
CAPTURING A DESPERATE.

Twenty five years ago certain parts
OF western Wisconsin were infested
with horse thieves. Their operations
were so systematic and covered so
large a region that detection was
extremely difficult.
For a few years. indeed. they had
things much their own way; but at
last the farmers, goaded to action by
the fail . of the authoritie, to cope
With thethieve-, organized themselves
into vigilance committees.
These committees we're no, lAxless
bodies OF lynch.rs, 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
committees was done by the riders. I"
usually i've in number one OF whom
was captain When more help was
needed, the riders might call TO their
assistance as many msmbers as the
case seemed 20 demand.
Among the scores of hardened men
who n, that time alternately worked
ard lnA'el along the Mississippi River
vas one named Jim Corsen. Though
nothing criminal had been proved
against him. bis practices and asso-
eiH,ions gave color to the suspicion
that be would not hesitate TO steal
whatever property h- could safely
make on With. In his habits be was
RECKLESS, dissoiu,e and defiant
In one particular he differed from
most OF his lAwless associates. In
stead Of constantly loafins about the
Tiver, whether there was work to be
had or not. he would occasionally 90
back a few miles into the country.
hire out 10 some farmer. and work for
seek or two.
One OF the men for whom he had
worked several times was William
Dexter. a good -nRtured. easy going old
farmer who lived ten miles from the
river. Corssn had worked so well for
Dexter thA; the old farmer had be-
gun to feel confidence in him.
'-Cors@n amt so big rascal as
some folks would like TO make out, ="
he said TO one OF his neishbors. who
had suggested that il was not wise to
have such fellow about
Like most OF his neighbors at that
time, Dexter allowed hIs cattle TO
roam a, 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
bing his eyes II must a left them
barr down last night"
lie went TO look for his cattle, and
found the herd At midday, but n
yoke of fat oxen which he had been in
tending TO drive TO market in a few
days was missing.
Cor-sn was not at the time at work
for Dexter. and no suspicion fell upon
him.
Dexter WAS n member of the vigi-
lance COMMITTEES. Hs notified at once
the proper officers OF the society, and
Blaekmnn. their captain. was sent
for He was keen. courageous young
farmer, tall and smooth-taced.
At dark the riders reported TO him
for duty. Dexter joined them.
"''rhs thiei," said Blsckman. has
either taken the oIen TO the city and
sold them, or he has hidden them on
the island. Ii is more likely that he
went TO town with them; nowadays
they want the money as soon as they
can get it.
A night ride OF twenty-five miles
brought them to the city. There
were in the place At that time a dozen
or more cattle-deslers, including
butchers. Each OF them was visited
and closely questioned. but without
my practical result. Not one OF them
reported having seen the stolen oxen.
I'VE will look 'em up" said Black
man.
He knew that nearly every butcher
had a pasture of some sort, as near
TO the city as possible, where he kept
the beei cattle he had on hand. He
knew that some OF the dealers were
dishonest, and occasionally received
stolen property.
As quietly as possible the riders be-
gan the search, going from one pasture
to another. just at nightfall, in a
pasture which belonged to German
butcher. they found the missing oxen.
Dexter identified them, took his prop
erty, and started them. into the city.
SO much WAS accomplished but 1t
was now necessary to lind the thief
When the German butcher vas CON
fronted with the oxen, he rolled his
ewes in evident distress. However,
he was not disposed to give up the
cattle.
~ hal bought dose oxens ten days
pefore," he declared, dosgedly.
"See here, my friend" said BLACK
man, at will do you no good to lie
about this business. These oxen were