Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-08-27
cAsrssE OF A BAD HORSE THIEF.
Fehow VINO Stole Stcddard Animal Captured at
sparta Prominent Offender


After being pursued over half dozen
co'intlcs during which chase repetitjons
OF the crime for which the officers we,e
upon his track were numerous. man
giving his name as Z. Dickereon alleged
leader of the gang u deeneradoes and
horse thieves. was arrested vesterIav az
sparta by Sheriff Barber. Deuuty Sber.
III VIM A. Mari of MeriIlan .Tnrction
Jackson county, aud Sheriff Vieth RI
sparta; The catch ia a very important
one and is the result of the nntiring
s9afeh Tor the criminals BY the sheriffs.
Tho nave been upon their trail for many
,iaSS. Inc capture of the leader. il is
p''ileVed. viii mean the early ann chen
sion OF tn6 remainder of the gang
W a. tner or not The man's real name
- .na y, Ven the officers is not known.
'ut ShefiifS Barber, Mari and ieth
nave proof I hat he is the man wanted
~ ,,r the tbett OF borsss ut Ctcddsrd.
west Salem, Black River Falls and
VaIiou. o;ner places IN this vic nifty,
ana IL ls believed that the majority Of
b9e eneIts which have occurred in this
ViclhlLy may be attributed and traced
directly TO his doorstep
Ine story OF the clew. the chase and
ehe capture Is an exciting ard INTEREST
Ing one. Inc first trace of the fellow
was secured IN Black River Fall. Their.
was no real trace of thu man, hut " hen
bhe report OF the theft at Stnddard was
received the authorities were convinced
ghaI the Black River Falls and the Stod-
1ard robbers We're one and the sama
Ihey immediately went to Stoddsrd
Ihere was no clew, and "a in all nre-
Vlons cases the earth seemed To have
opened and concealed the man who held
fhe laws IN disregard. From The *
treme northern edge of Vernon county
onerlts Barber, Mari and Deputy John
son, who conducted the search. tracked
.nelr man into La Crosse county and
mere " as their first real evidence. Sew
eral trades OF stolen horses were dis
covered and the route Of the criminal
with his new steeds was made clearer
by enraged farmers who had been duped
though yet the light on the case was
but din.
The prisoner is about fifty eight years
OF age and was rnarnr Il Int in the
search al appliance ustd for cutting
wire fences was discovered This was
an instrument used whereby he was en-,
aoled to cross country, thus escaping de-
lection and throwing hi. pursuers off
the trail. He made no resistence when
arrested and was led quietly to the Jail.
The sher1tfs questioned him closely in an
effort to secure an adlnisai "a a. 70 the
identity and whereabou1- 81 his con feder-
ates but the prisoner refnssd absolutely
to make any statement, ither REGARDING
himself or the rest of The gang. He had
practically been caught in the act of
stealing horses and the evidence was SO
great against him that there was scarce-
~ a shadow of chance for defense. but
he maintained an utter Hence Itia not
believed that T. Dicker-1n Is hi, real
name. His meth"i of opera ing was
simple. He rode y-'i.w pony and
would enter barn ut night, steal the
horse and cut aeros country and before
the loss was discovered he could be many
miles away, perhaps would have traded
the hoIse and have another. He rode
the pony, leading the stolen animal in
almost every instance. Hewas taken to
Black River Falls and held for trial.