Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-11-13
LIVELY CHASE
AFTER THIEF.
BURLINGTON FREIGHT HOUSE
MEN PURSUE MAN WHO STOLE
cADDY OF TOBACCO
Exciting Run Made Down Through
Burlington Yards to Market Street
Bloodhounds Used in Keeping the
TraiI-Other Railroad News.

1t happened yesterday noon, during
the quietness of the noon hour, as the
gang" at the Burlington freight house
were assembled at the usual place in
the house eating their dinner and spin
ming the usual yarns.
During one of the lulls in the general
conversation the stiffness Of the hour
was broken with the startling cry of
Catch thief" which rang out over the
large piles of freight in the freight
house.
Springing to their feet, knocking
dinner pals over and making scram-
BILE for the direction of the cry, the
freight gang rushed ont
Hurrying down the tracks, towards
Market street was a man carrying
large caddy of chewing tobacco He
had entered the back door of one of
the freight cars standing on the tracks
at the freight house. and was Juggling
off the tobacco when discovered by an
employe at the power house across the
tracks, who gave the alarm.
After hurried "pow-wow" Of war
among the freight house crew, it was
decided to put Dad" Palmers blood
hound on the trail of the escaping
robber.
Chase Begins.
1t was some time before the intelli-
gent animal could be made to under
stand that he was commissioned for
real business and that it was robber
who was wanted. 1t Is not known
whether the dog was angry at being
disturbed from his noon siesta or
whether it was on account of the thief
made the trail a hard one for the hound
to pick up. But, when he did start,
the chase, and incidentally the fun, be-
gan.
With the hound in the lead heading
for the Market street bridge, the gang
followed, strung along the Burlington
system for several blocks in hot pur-
suit of man and chewing tobocco.
Ross Vance and Clyde Peppers lead
brought up the rear, putting and blow
Ing with the excitement of the chase.
The hound. with nostrils filed with
the scent Of the trail, followed close
upon the thief to Marekt street. Here
the course of the chase changed, as
the thief made a break through a sa-
loon and out of the rear Undaunted,
the crowd. with firm determination fol-
lowed in close pursuit.
Is Captured.
1t was at the rear Of the saloon that
the thief realized that the odds We're
against him and allowed the dog to
come up with him. With the usual
long drawn bay from the faithful ami
NAL, 1t announced to the putting follow
ers, that the robber was apprehended
1t was Just as the ferocious brute
was about to pounce upon the tobacco
robber, that Ross Vance got in some
| fine work by catching the hound by
the tail saving the life Of the hunted
man. He was assisted by Clyde Pep
pers. 1t took both of them to restrain
the dog until the arrival Of Dad Pal
mer. who called him off.
The thief was turned over to the po-
lice At the station he gave his name
as John Christie and was committed to
Jail for thirty days for larceny.
! AS the gang wendell its way back tc
the freight house. each member claim
ed that he was the hero The hound
running along ahead with tongue
hanging out, received a large amount
Of praise for his efficient services.