The Washington times., 1906-09-10
ROPES ARE READY
FOR HORSE THIEVES
Virginia Farmers Organize
White Cap Band to Stop
Barn Looting.
WARNING TO THE 'RUSTLERS'
Short Shrift for Anyone Caught With
Another Mans Steed in Fair
fax County.

Woe betIde any Wayfarer who rams
into the hands of the white caps over
IN Fairfax county. Va.
The white caps" are well organized
and orderly set, with a firm determlha-
tlon 10 leugthen the neck of any and all
horse thieves who are caught within
the hounds Of Fairfax county. In Alex
andrfa county the white caps are JUST
as strong and determined. They have
openly declared their intention Of tax
ing the law into their own hands be-
cause the arrest of several men VINO
make a speciality OF leading horsehesh
astray does not seem TO have had the
desi-ed effect,
Won't Tell Names.
@RustIers." as the horse thieves
are called swooped down on the
farmers stables early in August and
did land office business until
the aid of the local authorities was
enlisted and Major Sylvester's detect
ives succeeded in getting on their
trail and running them To earth. Not
vithstanding the fact that William
Thompson the police say. has confessed
10 having been the leader of the gang
Of "rusters" suspected Of carrying
away all the norses reported stolen,
he refused TO divulge the names Of 9TH
er members Of the gang and is now in
the Fairfax county jail awaiting trial,
Thompson, il is claimed, had a room
on Wolfe street Alexandra, where he
and his heuchmeu were wont TO gather
auG plan their operations. Thompson,
al the time of his arrest was badly
frightened and told the authorities
number of things which they say he
Pc ard r.fe In fa Farl
the police say. that two men We're in
eahoot with him ia the way OF stealing
and that they disposed OF the horses,
mules, wagons, buggles, and harness,
which they stole. 20 persons In Wash
ington. The alleged purchasers names
were also Kept from the authorities by
the prisoner.
Early last month detectives Parham
and Brien, of the Central Office. ar
rested William Wells, of Oregon avenue
southwest, on charge of being an ac-
complice OF Thompson. The detectives
alleged that wells was used as
renee over which Thompson and his
band passed their stolen goods 90 those
Who We're waiting for them.
Said to Have Confessed.
Thus far the local police have recov-
cred five horses. two buggies. one wag-
on, two sets of harness ard "a surrey,
all of which Thompson is said to have
confessed he stole. The prisoner was
taken TO Fairfax Court House ar
raigned and held for the grand jury.
After Thompson was hailed into court
and held for the grand jury, there was
let-up in the horse stealing but last
week il broke out again In both Fairfax
and Alexandria counties and the ire OF
the farmers was aroused. Prominent res
idents of the county rose up in arms and
cried string up the horse thieves And
string them up they say they Will il
they get a line on ''rusJer."
Tempting the "RustIers."
Travellers along the roads In Fairfax
and Alexandria counties may have seen
half dozen horsemen together. then
spread out over the woods later or gath
or around a stable or born. but few OF
them knew what IL meant Horses have
been left standing on the road to entics
the 'rustlers" while the white caps
hid in the woods behind threes or
stumps and awaited developments. When
the white caps receive word at the
Cross-rOad stores that q stranger has
been seen they inquire as to the direc-
tiOn he took and start out after him
The white caps have q leader. who is
armed with the proper authority TO
place culprlts in dUranCe vile. and under
the saddle of one of the riders il is said
may be found stout rope about twenty
feet long, with suspicious looking slim
knot on one end. The rope is not used
for tying horses or anything Of that
sort. but the purpose for which u was
designed, the wise ones say will be
known If the "rusters' continue 10 rus
tie.