Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1893-09-29
Horse Thieves Arrested.

One of the most important captures o.
horse thieves known in the Eastern States
in ten years was effected by Detective Rob.
ert Jetferies, Of West Chester, Pa, several
days ago. In weaving his strong chain OF
evidence about the two thieves the detective
was compelled 10 come to Washington, for
in this immediate vicinity the horses the
thieves had stolen in Chester county, Pa,
were sold, and in that county the animals
stolen from this section were traded
just month ago yesterday Detective
Jetferies started on a clew furnished him by
Chester county farmers, which it was thought
might lead to the capture of an organ lied
gang of horse thieves. Eight or ten valua-
Bile animals had been stolen within two or
three nights, and the farmers became aroused
to the necessity for action.
Mr. Jefferies WAS engaged and given des-
| criptionS of the animals. AT about the time
the Chester county farms were being robbed
number of horses, buggies, sets of harness
and saddles were stolen from barns and pas
lures In Montgomery county, Md, near
Rockville. The heaviest losers there by the
work of the thieves were Messrs A. Stone
street and j, 5. Childs. These gentlemen
offered rewards for the recovery OF their
horses, and for the arrest and conviction of
the thieves One of the circulars they had
tective Jefferies. The descriptions tailed
nicely with several horses recently pur-
chased by people near West Chester, and
learning that two notorious horse thieves
were the persons from whom the animals
had been purchased, Mr. Jetferics began
hunt for them. Saturday he arrested Till
man Clemson and William Harris, and they
are now in the West Chester Jail awaiting
trial. BY judicious pumping he worked out
of Harris, the less hardened OF the two Grim,
inals, the whole story of the robberies, EN-
bracing dozen or more thefts.
Among those who lost horses a little over
| a month ago were Jason Moore, of Parkers
burg, Pa who ha stolen II fine bay horse;
Mrs. John Wilson, of Paoli, black horse
and Harmer Davis and John Storm, living
at Malvern, a bay horse and buggy and
harness. Clemson AMI Harris, after stealing
the three horses and buggy, drove across
country in hurry, AMI reaching Bright.
wood represented themselves as horse deal
ers. They gained the confidence of G. W.
Mattingly, a store keeper, who introduced
them To Hamilton Wilson, a local horse
| man. On the strength OF Mattingy's rec
ommendation that they were all right Will
son did some trading with them. He bought
the big bay horse stolen from Harmer Davis,
the buggy and harness stolen from John
Storm, aud bought for farmer named
Blu khardt, living on the Biadensburg road,
the black horse stolen from Mrs John Viii
son Frank Shannon, who has stand in
the X street market, and X. NJ. Hopkins,
the livery stable keeper on Ninth street, be.
tween II and streets northwest, together
bought the horse belonging to Jason Moore
Alter making these sales the two loafed
about Brightwood several days, ostensib.y
n hnrana nj hn nj Ia
offered.
However, about the tins they disappeared
horse WAS stolen from Mr. Arthur Stone
street and one from Mrs Matthews, near
Rockville, two horses belonging to j. 5.
Childs, n couple of buggies, several sets Of
harness, and saddle belonging to james
Rannir, merchant at Norbeck. The horses,
buggIes and harness were so accurately DIES
cribed In the printed descriptions sent out
by Messrs. St0nestreet and Childs that the
Pennsylvania detective had not much trou
BILE in locating them, and had them turned
over To him for transportation 10 their own
ers. Mr.. Jefferies will ship them to Rock
vile as soon as he reaches West Chester this
morning. He left last night for home with
the three horses aud buggy which had been
stolen in Chester county, and will receive
neat reward for his cleverness in running
the thieves TO earth and restoring most OF
the property that had been stolen.
There are several other robberies laid AZ
the door OF the two men under arrest.
Detectives Lacey and Garter were detailed
by Lieut.. Hollinsberger yesterday TO assist
Detective Jefferies, and aided him in loca
ting the property recovered,
Clemson aud Harris long ago earned their
spurs AS horse thieves The former has
served thirty five years in penitentiary in
Pennsylvania for horse stealing and was
only released last January after having
served his last term. Harris also has served
Il ten year sentence in the same prison with
Clemson Both men live in the will OF
the Welsh Mountains, where they are
known as bad men. Cemson's father was
probably the best known horse thief ever
in Pennsylvania. He was member of the
famous Bear gang OF thieves which terror
lied Eastern Pennsylvania during the civil
war, and was finally broken up by vigi
lance committee, which made short work of
the gang after they once got fairly startled
Washington Post of 1ue@Lly.