The Topeka state journal., 1903-05-01
KANSAS NEWS.
Hutchinson Constable Has Long
Chase After Burglars.
Have Been RObbing Reno County
Homes.
I'm OKLAHOMA DUG OUT.
Ross Weaver and Wife Caught
at Early Dawn.
With Them Three Trunks of
Stolen Lace and Silk.

Hutchinson, May CONSTABLE ShirlS
has at last completed his quest for the
burglars who have been robbing Hutch
tnson homes all winter and now has five
Helf-confessed criminals behind the
bars. He has returned from Woodward,
Ok. with Ross Weaver and his wife.
Ehie, whom he captured with three
trunks full of stolen goods in a dug
out about 30 miles northeast of Wood
ward, a few miles from Fort Supply.
The three others in Jail are r. Warner
and his wife. arrested last Thursday in
the College block, and Roy Weaver.
Constable Shirk left here Sunday
morning armed with warrants for the
Woayers He did not know exactly
where they We're. but knew that they
had left the train at Woodward When
he arrested the Warmers Mrs. Weaver
was still in town and he learned lalcr
that she had gone to Woodward Her
maiden name was Alexander and she
has relatives living in Oklahoma This
with the fact that she had bought a
ticket TO Woodward was the only clue
as to the whereabouts of herself and
husband.
Arriving at Woodward he enlisted the
services Of Deputy Sheriff Stump Of
that place and the two began their
sH---NtAA AtF zOL the DiAJ1 from lnE
land Office and located all the Alexan-
ders around Woodward. They sifted out
those that the deputy sheriff knew
about and finally picked out a half
dozen or so families and began 10 look
them up. All day Sunday and Sunday
night they searched. About O'Clock
Monday morning they got lost on the
prairie and had to stop until daylight
They were then within about three
miles of the dugOut where the Weavers
were finally found.
AS soon as day broke they resumed
their search and soon had the house To-
Gated. So sure was Constable Shrk of
bagging his game that he hired a farm
er to bring along his lumber wagon and
accompany MIN and the deputy sheriff
Fearing the family might be stirring,
although the hour was early, they made
a wide detOur and came upon the dug
out from behind. The country was
hilly and the officers were upon their
prey before anyone in the house sus-
pected. The family was Just getting
UP, some of them being still in bed.
The officers knocked at the door and
when it was opened stepped inside and
told who they were after. In the corner
stood three shot guns and rifle, but
the officers were between them and the
occupants of the house, and Weaver
and his wife gave them no trouble. There
were half a dozen members Of the Alex
ander family in the house and they at
first opposed the taking Of Mrs. Weav-
er, but Constable Shirk told them that
he would have to take her, if not peace
ably then some other way and the fam
lily finally consented
The trunks We're soon located and
Shirz sent the deputy sheriff to call
the farmer and they we're loaded into
his wagon. Then the entire party start
ed for Woodward. The constable had
driven over lbs miles in his quest when
Woodward was reached again. He has
not slept except for an hour or two
since he left here Sunday morning.
In the trunks are silks. laces, dress
goods iewelry and various other valu-
abIes and these will be restored in due
time to the proper owners if they can
be found.