The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-01-01
DEDHAAr,s PIG THEE.
Houston Caught Him with n Bear Ira
After Other Means Had Failed.

Houston Caught Him with n Bear Trap
After Other Means Had Failed.
DEDHAM. Me-. Dec. 30. 1T may be all right
to set a thief to catch a thief" said old Bill
Houston. but. on the whole, I'd ruther hev q
good bar trap. 1t costs less and is a sight
more ~sartin."
Houston has been the hero Of 1.-TWO towns and
eight school districts since two days before
Christmas. when he caught a pig thief in q
bear trap. Ever since the pig sticking began
at Thanksgiving time the thieves have been at
work stealing the dressed porkers from barns
and outhouses. Sixteen carcasses Of dressed
hogs. having an aggregate weight Of 3.400
pounds. were stolen in Dedham between Dec.
l and "a. 1t was apparent that while
the thief was adrolt he was also crazy.
Sam Hubbard. who lost two hogs.
locked his barn doors after the first
was taken. The doors were frail affairs. such
as q boy could pull to pieces. but whom the
thief came for the second hog he went to the
back of the barn, crawled under the stills. and
forced up the heavy planking of the floor to
effect an entrance. It was also noticed that
the cattle in q barn from which pork was
stolen were very uneasy and nervous for days
after the theft. George Estes came near catch
ing the thief because his COWS made a noise
that called him to the barn at midnight. They
beloved and snorted until he awoke. and he
arrived in time to see o squat little man In
dark clothes climb over the orchard wall with
a dead pig on his back. Estes chased the thief
until he disappeared In the woods, aring both
barrels Of q shotgun at him without effect.
Tim Mcmahon. who killed a pig on Dec. 10.
attempted to sit up all night with the remains
in order to keepthe thief away. About 1 O'Clock
in the morning the cattle began to snort and
hollow in terror. Then he heard q scratching
around the trap doorthat led to the barn cellar.
He saw nobody. but. judging from the noise,
he belieyes there were four or FIVE. men in the
gang. He emptied five chambers Of a revolver
year;old steer, and then went into the house
and barricaded the doors and windows. The
in . state OF terror for q fortnight. Spring guns
s snery H pis ps srsP and T e reward Sst 81 81 s sbS S sptra a@sss q
for the capture Of the thief. dead Or Sliys:
i hl;fio Tor oP the q ee sas : ,Saf & G,s soo as .ssS f SssR ssfI oGsd
and spilled it in circle around ne barn. When
Just You wait an see. when that air sppeesiy
iiss = e r. sih e. f si$ j I'll Ra' e. e 'I , Pose on SSss SF' Sf';
9 TSPs s aad v apRrQ Isa, q te sIo d%s si,ss KIT but TEX
eSer the barn aoo als 50 that S a TAN p man a' EeSu "a
Rreech toggle attached to the chain. and set It
thls he severed the trap IiGheRY with sweet
SSntO." he Ssid.and vent e bed. leeviaeo thS
o'clock the neyt morning the cattle be-
and the sharp crack of splintered boards.
Houston dressed himself. deliberately, lighted
his lantern. took q chew OF tobacco, and. shout
dering his rife. went to the barn; A minute
three rife shots fired in rapied succession.
When the neighbors arrived, half dressed,
Houston was sitting on the barn floor skinnine
a 50o-gound bear which he had caught in the
their II slrm tie fSa but The dead pIg h1RG serene;
the danger from which 1t had escaped.
Tell yer wat It's" said Houston. cutting
the bear open and exposing great rolls OF white
fat. bars meat is good. specially bars meat
il. am | know you ali like, bars meat. butt
swan you shan't hev o smell ont till you've
paid that $50 reward for ketching this big
I've armed Il. an. begosh. I'm goin'
roast bar"
He kept. the bear. for four days. hoping the
would not be paid, he took the carcass
and pelt to Bangor and sold them for $36.