Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1906-08-29
Hog Thief Captured.

Sheriff Corlis has completed the
capture of Jesse Hammond, Grim
inal wanted by the police for the.
past year and half. The capture
is regarded as an excellent piece of
work and those who have been in
touch with the case, knowing of
Hammond's constant effort to evade
identity and capture, regard the
landing of the criminal in the coun-
ty Jail as clever one. Hammopd's
crime in this community was COM
mitted Dec. 6, 1904. He was at
that time working for Pat Harring-
ton, northeast Of town. He was sent
to the home of A. P. Tyner to do a
days work. He then perfected his
plans for obtaining sum of money
without undue toll. On the night
of December 6, Hammond took
team from the Tynerplace; leaving
note saying the team was borrowed
and would be returned the next day.
The note was signed bill Higgins
the name of a neighbor. Hammond
drove to the slaughter house south
of this city and from the yard stole
eight hogs belonging to NJ. Assmus
He then drove to Winthrop, where
he sold the hogs early in the morn
ing to George Spangler, giving the
name of John w. Brown. He re-
ceived therefor a check for SOL,
which was at once cashed by A. 7.
Robinson. He stated that he lived
near independence and started to
drive in the direction Of this place.
At the Singer crossing, mile west
Of Winthrop, the team was struck
by fast freight and killed outright.
Hammond was thrown GO feet and
was picked up and carried to the
Singer home, examined by physi-
clan and found to be only shaken
up. He then said he would go out
and look after his team He walked
west from that point and came to
this city. He at once caught south
bound train and went to Missouri.
The value of the team, harness and
outfit was about 5000, and was soon
identified by Mr.. Tyner. By the
time the complicated threads of the
case were Strengthened out and a
warrant issued for Hammond he was
beyond the Missouri border. Both
winters have been spent in Missouri
by Hammond and the intervening
months have been spent on farms
in the Dakotas, Iowa and Minnesota.
Four times the officers have had him
located. only to hear Of his escape
before an arrest could be made.
About a year ago his parents, who
had been residents of the Turkey
river districts north of here, removed
to northern Minnesota, in the vic
unity of Pilligar. A brother had
previously located in that place. A
month ago he was traced to the
home of his brother and officers
surrounded the house, none would
venture within, as he was believed
to be a desperate character, and he
escaped under cover of the night
He was then found to be working
with railroad gang at New York
Mills. 60 miles from the home OIL
his parents. He was arrested on
Monday of last week just as he had
drawn his pay and was about te
travel on. While he proved to be {
hard man to arrest and a still hard
er man to keep in Jail, he at no tint
has denied his identity or guilt. Hi
told the story of mis- deed to Sheriff
Corlis and stated firmly there was nj
one implicated in the crime besides
himself. He waived preliminar.
examination and will be examined
before the grand jury, which meet
September 18th. Hammond ha
, , twice before served terms in tn
penitentiary, once from Pottawatta
:. mic county for burglary and one
. from Blackhawk county for the steal
. ing Of hogs. The Bertillon systel
! Of Identification as conducted at th
= penitentiary proved of invaluabl
service in the Identification Of til
prisoner. -Bulletin-J ournal.