Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-08-03
CHICK EN- THIEF WO UNDED.
ES-Leyy Court Commissioner Howard
Jordan Pours Some Hot Shot at u Pair
or nullat pnliars

EN-Lcry Court commissioner howard
Jordan Pours Some Hot Shot at "a Pair
of Puilet Paiiars.
Howard H. Jordan, an ex.member of
the Levy Court, who lives OH farm
several miles beyond Brandywine Springs.
had an exciting experience with two bold
chicken thieves. Saturday morning.
Mr.. Jordan was awakened from his
SAUNDERS shortly before daybreai. by the
fierce barking OF II dog, and going to the
window observed the forms Of two strange
persons, fitting about the neighborhood of
tho chicken house. He hurriedly dressed
himself, and SELLING a double-barrcl shot
gun rushed downstairs in time to inter
cept the thieves rs they were emerging
from the hennery. lie commanded them
to stop. when one of thieves dashed the
chickens he was holding to the ground
and made for strip of woodland close by.
Mr.. Jordan raised his gun and fired. The
fleeing thief uttered Il cry of pain but
never stopped running until he reached
the woodland, where he disappeared.
Mr.. Jordan fired another shot at the
fugitive, without. effect, and then turned
his attention TO the other thief. The latter
was BY this time making for the road,
where the thieves had left q horse and
wagon. Mr.. Jordan rushed toward tho
roadway 10 time TO intercept the second
thief, bnt like his companion he also
escaped by fight. The horse and buggy
abandoned by the thieves were taken ~
charge by Mr.. Jordan, who afterwards
turned the team over to County Constable
| Allcorn. A dozen pairs of chickens were
| discovered in the buggy, several pairs OF
which were identified by MIR. Jordan as
| his poultry.
Mr.Jordan is sure he shot one of thu
thieves, and on Saturday found piece o
trousers and brass button which he sho
| from the clothes of one of the marauders
john Chandler of Chester county, Pa.
who was driving to market about daylight
Saturday morning, passed the house OF Mr.
Jordan lust before the shooting. Shortl.
afterward, he declares, wagon passed hin
on the Wilmington road. in which two &C
cupants were seated and driving rapidly
| This discovery has induced Mr.. Jordan 4
believe that there were several people ell
gagged in the robbery, two of whom drov
away when the firing took place. He say
the thieves were white men.
Mr.. Jordan retained the horse an
wagon the culprits left behind, an
some time during Saturday mornin
was surprised when young man in
ouired for the team, saying that it be
longed to Mrs. Hollingsworth, Twin
a short distance from the farm of Nj
Jordan. The latter questioned the Youn
man closely, and succeeded in worn
ing out of him the fact that the sons {
Mrs. Hollingsworth were the guilt
parties, and had abandoned the Lors
and wagon when Mr.. Jordan's shotgu
was brought into use. One of til
thieves was winged while fleeing.
With this information in his posse
sion, Mr.. Jordan, accompanied by Coz
stable Allcorn, went to the home of II
, Hollingsworths and placed the tw
, young men under arrest, together wit
! an accomplish. The trio were taken b
fore Magistrate Durnall and held
! 5000 bail for a further hearing at
| o'clock Monday afternoon.
: When one Of the culprits was arrestt
it was found that a portion OF his clotl
T.. ing had been shot away by Mr.. Jorda
J, and that he had been peppered wit
s shot.
/. The young men were arraigned b
5 fore Squire Burnall of Mill Greek hu
v dred, Monday afternoon, and waiv,
1 a hearing for the upper court. Bail
i the sum Of $500 was furnished by d
Q prisoners' mother. George Shortlidl
o a laborer, employed by tho Hollinl
worths, turned States evidence VIII
the case was called. He was plac
under bail TO appear at the Septemh
81 term of court with the others.