Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-08-23
Horse Thieves Active.

Horse thieves are active In the country
surrounding Washington, and of late a
number OF country people have suffered
from the depredations of this class of rob
bers No regard is paid apparently to the
kind of animals stolen, and horses broken
down and used up are taken along with
good animals. The thieves evidently care
but little as to the animals they purloin, 30
long as the horse flesh is held together, and
the beast keeps presentable shape until it
can be gotten rid OF.
OF late the robberies have become more
frequent, judging by the number of COM
plants which find their way to the local
police. 1t is not supposed by the local de-
tectives that an organized band is at work,
because the depredations would probably
be more extensive, and be confined to a
larger section than at present. OF late, how
ever, animals have been disposed of in this
city which were stolen as far off as Fred
ercksburg. The reports from places any
where distant from this city rarely reach
Washington, unless the county authorities
believe that the thieves are making towards
this place TO dispose of the plumber. In
most cases the local police force never hears
Of the robberies, the county officials labor
ing under the belief that the robbers can be
caught in the immediate vicinity of the
crime.
For the section of the country immedi-
ately around Washington horse stealing has
been on the increase within the past few
months, and though the local detective force
has succeeded in arresting a number of cul-
prits and turned them over TO the proper
authorities, the crimes do not appear to be
abating, and the frequency of the robberes
is as great as ever. This is the season OF the
year which is best adapted for the work Of
this class of thieves, as the animals are lett
out at pasture during the night when the
robberes are committed with more impunity
than in the day time. Horses belonging to
business men in the city, which are lett out
for pasturage, are an easy prey for the rob-
beers, as during warm weather it is rare that
horse is put into the stable.
OF the many arrests made recently for
horse stealing, that of VIM. Cissel Grimes,
the young white man, is perhaps the most
important, and as he is known to have had
coniederates, it is most probable that they
are working the surrounding country for all
that il is worth Grimes, il will be remem.
bereG, was arrested by Detectives Weeden
and Rhodes while endeavoring to escape by
hiding in the woods back of Bladensburg.
The theft of five horses was traced to him,
one of which was In Baltimore, while the
others were from Coesville, Damascus,
| Frederick and Seabright, Md. He was ar
rested at the request of the Maryland au'
| thorites.
Yesterday from the section OF country
surrounding Georgetown two thefts OF
| horses were reported One was that OF
Henry Draw, VINO lives at Cabin John post
Office on the Conduit road, just above the
famous bridge by that name. His was a
gray horse, with only one eye, and the ami
| NAL is supposed to have been taken in the
early morning while confined TO the pas
ture. The thief was seen on the road with
the horse, making his way to Georgetown
He is described as a young man, apparently
thirty years of age, shabby dressed, wear
ing battered derby and having a full dark
mustache He was seen by man coming
down the road with the animal.
The other case reported was that Of Mr..
| ID j. Tarman, who owns Il farm near
Vienna, Va. A sorrel horse was taken
from him, which had no shoes on the hind
feet, with sores ut the knees. The animal
was taken at about $50 O'Clock in the morn
| ing, the thieves being somewhat holder than
| usual The loss was not found out until
some time later, and rs il was supposed that
attempts would be made to dispose OF the
animal in this city the local police force WAS
notified
AS the thelts are not committed in Wash
ington the detective force around headquar
tiers has little to do in the matter The only
thing they can do is to look out for the stolen
animals, and il found return Them to the
rightiu owners If the thieves are arrested
they have to be sent to the scene OF the THEFT
where the trial is held Unless requested
by the outside authorities the arrest is seldom
made Wash Post Of Tuesday